The 2019 Legislative Session ended with lawmakers promising to return to attempt to enact educational reforms. Even before the gavel had ended the regular session, the Governor issued a proclamation calling for the legislators to do just that. However, education was kept off the agenda, and we are anticipating a session in June to address education issues.
Instead, in a day-long hurried session, legislators considered 78 bills and passed 18. The legislature attempted to fix bills that were vetoed by the governor, explored issues that they could not complete during the regular session, and passed supplemental appropriation bills. Several of the bills considered and passed were followed by the ACLU:
House Bill 115 was a bill ensuring that in abuse and neglect cases any person who is accused of abuse or neglect will have an opportunity to have a court-appointed attorney.
House Bill 116 applies to people over the age of 18, who commit a crime while serving a sentence for a juvenile offense. In those cases, jurisdiction will be turned over to adult courts, until the person serves the sentence for the second offense. Regardless of whether they are kept at a juvenile facility or an adult facility they have to be segregated from the rest of the population.
House Bill 118 makes it easier for former-offenders to get licensed to perform certain jobs. Under the new law, there has to be a reasonable connection to the occupation and the crime in order to deny a license.
Senate Bill 1004 makes changes to an antihazing law that was vetoed. The new law would have applied to groups off campus as well as on campus. In his veto message, the Governor declared the bill to be overbroad, potentially even applying to the ACLU (note: the ACLU does not engage in hazing). The reformed bill applies only to student and alumni organizations.
Senate Bill 1012 creates a voluntary certificate process for recovery residences. These private residences are kept drug and alcohol free and serve as another important tool in assisting addiction recovery.
Senate Bill 1013 expands which health care professionals can provide medication assisted treatment for addiction recovery.
Senate Bill 1037 makes fixes to the Medical Cannabis Act. The governor previously vetoed a bill that would have allowed growers, producers, and distributors to be the same entities. This bill fixed the Governor's concerns.