Kayla Young (District 35)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Kayla Young

Office Sought House of Delegates - District 35

City/Town South Charleston

From 1980 to 2016 the West Virginia state prison population has increased by 470%. What, if anything, would you change to reverse this trend?

Criminal Justice Reform including: raising the age for juvenile jurisdiction and policies aimed reducing youth arrests, bail bond reform, instating policies to lower recidivism, and reducing mandatory minimums for non-violent crimes,

Civil asset forfeiture is a process where police can seize any property "related" to criminal activity and later can file a civil case to forfeit the property to either be used or auctioned for money which is shared between the police department and local prosecutor. This can happen regardless of whether there is a criminal conviction or even criminal charges brought against a person.Proponents say this is a useful tool for taking ill-gotten gains from criminals and funding police work, and that legal protections adequately prevent abuse of the system.Critics say the system amounts to theft, that many people cannot afford the legal costs to challenge a forfeiture action, and that it creates a perverse incentive for police.Do you support or oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture? What, if any, reforms would you make to the practice?

I oppose civil asset forfeiture, as it is a violation of several amendments including due process and excessive fines. A criminal conviction should be a prerequisite of forfeiture and there should be more transparency in the process and reporting regarding forfeiture.

More than half the population of West Virginia's regional jails are pre-trial. That means they haven't been found guilty of any crime yet. Most are there because they could not afford bail, though some are there because they were denied a chance to post bail. What changes, if any would you make to our pretrial and/or bail system to balance concerns about safety and court efficiency with ensuring we are not incarcerating people without due process?

End cash bail. We should also work towards pretrial alternatives to incarceration, to let nonviolent criminals out within a reasonable period of time before a trial, and to limit who we incarcerate upon arrest.

In 2015 West Virginia passed significant reforms to the juvenile justice system. Despite these reforms, the State still utilizes out of home placement at a high rate for system-involved youth. What, if anything, should West Virginia do to reduce out-of-home placements for system-involved juveniles?

We should support families to reduce out-of-home placements including working to reduce homelessness and aid in cash assistance when necessary to build strong communities.

West Virginia has a very low voter participation rate. What changes, if any, would you make to increase voter participation?

I think we can increase voter participation through a variety of ways. One is to make election day a holiday to ensure everyone can vote. We can also pass vote by mail to help those unable to get to the polls.

Over the past few years, there has been legislation aimed at requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, allowing a Bible-based elective, or faith-based drug prevention electives. What is your stance on incorporating religion into the public schools?

I think drug prevention should be taught in schools. I believe in the separation of church and state and think incorporating religion into the public schools violates the right of students of faith not within the proposed electives.

At least 20 states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. 13 West Virginia municipalities have similar protections. Do you support or oppose a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia? Why?

I support a statewide non-discrimination policy to support all West Virginians and their basic rights.

In December 2019, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia would continue accepting refugees. Do you support or oppose accepting refugees in West Virginia? Under what conditions? Why?

Yes. I support West Virginia accepting refugees seeking asylum for humanitarian reasons. We are losing population at an alarming rate, and should help people if we are able.

Q10

Over the past few years, some states have continued to erode protections and access to abortion care. Other states have done the opposite and codified abortion rights that had previously been defined by courts. Do you favor further restrictions to abortion, expanding or codifying abortion rights, or taking no action on abortion?

I support policies to codify abortion rights and expand access for people who want and need this healthcare.