March 2007 EditionDon't Miss Out
The Seventh Annual Edition of CPA’s Progressive Agenda Has Arrived!
The Progressive Agenda for the States 2007: Values & Vision for America features 50 of the most innovative policy solutions being debated and enacted in the states. A wide range of domestic issues—including Identity Theft, Global Warming, Fair Share Health Care, Sudan Divestment, and Predatory Mortgage Lending—are covered. To order your copy today, contact Rachel Balick at rbalick@cfpa.org or 202-956-5132. While you're waiting, download the entire book (PDF).
Progress on Policy
Colorado Hospitals Must Inform Rape Victims about Plan B option
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed SB 60, a bill that will require hospitals to educate rape victims about emergency contraception. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Betty Boyd, requires that hospital personnel inform rape victims about the option of taking emergency contraception, sometimes referred to as “the morning after pill,” and mandates that pharmacies refusing to carry emergency contraception post such information in plain sight. At the same time, the measure guarantees individual hospital staff members who object to the use of emergency contraception due to moral or religious conviction the right not to discuss the option with patients. The bill also says that although all hospitals must inform victims of the option to use emergency contraception, not all are required to stock it. Read CPA’s EC for Sexual Assault Victims policy brief and model legislation.
Iowa Governor Signs Stem Cell Bill into Law
Gov. Chet Culver has signed SF 162, a bill that will ease restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in Iowa. The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Joe Bolkcom, will allow researchers to clone embryonic stem cells in order to discover cures to numerous medical ailments, including diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Read CPA’s Stem Cell Research policy brief and model legislation.
Iowa Governor Signs Safe Schools Bill
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has signed legislation that requires schools to implement anti-bullying policies. SF 61 protects students from harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, race, age or gender. The law applies to both public and private schools. Read CPA’s Safe Schools policy brief and model legislation.
Kentucky Legislature Approves Human Trafficking Bill
The Kentucky state legislature unanimously approved SB 43, a bill that criminalizes human trafficking. The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Boswell (see Legislator of the Month), does not include provisions for services to victims, but the policy’s proponents plan to come back to the legislature for funding next year. The bill is expected to be signed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Read CPA’s Human Trafficking policy brief and model legislation.
New Mexico Enacts Smoke-Free Workplaces Law
Gov. Bill Richardson signed HB 283, a bill that creates strict regulations for smoking in public places. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Al Park, will ban smoking in or within the direct vicinity of all indoor public establishments, including workplaces and businesses. The mandate imposes a $100 penalty for the first violation, a $200 penalty for a second violation, and a $500 penalty for a third and all subsequent offenses. Read CPA’s Smoke-Free Workplaces policy brief and model legislation.
New York Legislature Sends Ethics Bill to Governor
A comprehensive ethics reform bill is heading to Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s desk after receiving final legislative approval. A 3736, sponsored by House Speaker Sheldon Silver, bans gifts from lobbyists to legislators, prohibits state officials from accepting payment for speeches, and closes the “revolving door” that allows former legislative employees to lobby the legislature fewer than two years after leaving their jobs. Elected officials and candidates for elected offices will no longer be allowed to appear in taxpayer-funded ads, and state employees will be barred from participating in the hiring or contracting process when their family members are involved. Gov. Spitzer is expected to sign the bill. Read CPA’s Ethics Reform policy brief.
South Dakota Extends Health Insurance Coverage for Students
South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has signed a bill that allows parents to cover their dependants until the age of 29. SB 108, introduced by the South Dakota Senate Commerce Committee at the governor’s request, requires insurance companies to offer parents the option to continue coverage of full-time students for five years beyond the current law. The law will not apply to students who obtain other insurance before the age of 24.
Washington to Cover All Kids
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed SB 5093, a bill that will expand health care coverage for Washington children. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Chris Marr, will expand access to state health care for low-income children by providing free or state subsidized coverage to any family making 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Read CPA’s All Kids Coverage policy brief and model legislation.
Legislator of the Month: KY Senator David Boswell
Senator David Boswell of Kentucky was disturbed by the increasing prevalence of human trafficking of women and children in the United States. In response to this growing problem, Senator Boswell successfully promoted SB 43, a bill that criminalizes human trafficking. Click here to read an interview with Sen. Boswell.
Website of the Month: www.responsiblelending.com
The Center for Responsible Lending has long warned of an impending crisis in the subprime mortgage industry, and with the recent plunge in the stock market, Americans are starting to take notice. The Center’s website, www.responsiblelending.org, provides nonpartisan research on how predatory mortgage lending will influence foreclosure rates across the country and offers state legislators and advocates policy solutions to the problems caused by the proliferation of “exotic” mortgages. The website also has information on a wide array of lending issues, including payday, car title and overdraft loans, as well as credit cards and mandatory arbitration clauses.