Legislation

Rhode Island Lawmakers Champion Equity Impact Statements to Advance Social Justice in Legislation

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Providence, R.I. – As state lawmakers propose new legislation, they are often met with a critical fiscal question: What is the cost? In Rhode Island, representatives are now advocating an additional layer of scrutiny—assessing the social and equity impacts of legislation. Representative David Morales, a Democrat from Providence, is championing a new rule to require “equity impact statements” for proposed laws, aiming to uncover their potential effects on various demographics, including race, ethnicity, gender, and more. This initiative, encapsulated in Bill H5010, would enable such analyses for up to five bills each session, focusing on … Read more

Georgia Legislation Introduced to Standardize and Increase Judicial Salaries for Fairness and Transparency

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Atlanta, GA – In a significant move aiming to recalibrate the financial structure of Georgia’s judiciary, Rep. Rob Leverett, a Republican from Elberton, has introduced a twin-bill legislative package designed to reform how state-wide and Superior Court judges are compensated. The proposals, set to be introduced in the upcoming 2025 legislative session, seek to establish a new framework for setting judicial salaries and to create a more transparent and equitable system across the state. The legislation follows ongoing discussions about the need to modernize and standardize judicial compensation in Georgia. Leverett’s office described the initiative … Read more

New Legislation ‘Hailey’s Legacy’ Aims to Strengthen Gun Purchase Requirements Linked to Mental Health in South Dakota

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Last year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Hailey Barrick was briefly treated at Avera Behavioral Health. Shortly following her release, which occurred less than a day later, she purchased a firearm and fatally shot herself. This tragic event has since propelled her mother, Larissa Strong, into action. Strong is now spearheading a legislative initiative, set to be introduced during South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session in Pierre. The bill, known as “Hailey’s Legacy,” aims to address gaps in firearm acquisition processes, particularly concerning individuals with recent mental health treatments. According to Strong, the current system in … Read more

UK Science Secretary Calls Online Safety Legislation ‘Uneven,’ Pledges Reform Amid Rising Concerns Over Harmful Content

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LONDON — Criticism is mounting against the UK’s approach to online safety, with officials and activists pushing for more effective legislation. Science Secretary Peter Kyle expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of laws intended to protect users, particularly vulnerable populations and children, from harmful online content. Kyle highlighted his personal commitment to enhance online safety following a poignant reminder from Ian Russell, whose daughter tragically took her own life after engaging with harmful social media content. Russell, who now chairs the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), addressed his concerns directly to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, indicating … Read more