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Nuxoll's weekly newsletter
11th weekly update 2016  timing,
and lack of resources. The legislation proposes to enhance court participation
in the decision making process regarding adoption choices and placement.
It also outlines notice requirements for moving foster children to new
foster homes under certain circumstances. This is a start to foster
care reform, which I support.
HCR 57, Display of Flags, encourages the display of the Idaho State Flag each year on March 4th, July 3rd, July 4th. President Abraham Lincoln signed the congressional act creating the Idaho Territory on March 4, 1863, and the Legislature enacted law recognizing March 4 of each year as "Idaho Day"; Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890; the United States became a country on July 4, 1776. What a wonderful way to show loyalty to our state and country. H 494, Alcohol offenses, reclassifies a first offense for under age alcohol possession or consumption from a misdemeanor to an infraction and reduces penalties. The purpose is to better align punishment with crimes committed, while maintaining penalties adequate for deterrence and enforcement. The court may suspend the person's driving privileges for a period of not more than one (1) year. I supported this bill. S1404, Unborn Infants Dignity Act, seeks to protect the dignity of preborn children in abortion by making illegal to harvest their organs and tissue for any purpose, including experimentation. Organs and tissue of preborn children may be donated in cases other than abortion with proper informed consent. The bill strengthens ethical standards for proper medical research. The legislation also makes it clear that mothers have a right for respectful disposition of her baby's remains. I am a cosponsor of this bill. H477, Postsecondary Credit Scholarship, provides college scholarships to students who earn college credits while in high school. The intent of the bill is to encourage Idaho's high school students to: 1) attend post-secondary schools in Idaho; 2) enter a post-secondary field of study where there are good paying jobs which will help Idaho's economy grow; and 3) take rigorous courses while in high school. The bill requires a matching postsecondary scholarship from business. A student who earns 10 to 19 college credits will qualify for a $1000 state scholarship/year, good at any state college or university, for up to two years if a matching scholarship is received. A student who earns 20 or more college credits will qualify for a $2,000 state scholarship/year for up to two years if a matching scholarship is received. A student who earns an Associate Degree while still in high school will qualify for a full tuition state scholarship/year for up to two years if a matching scholarship is received. I support this bill because only 38% of males go on to college. This might provide the motivation. H521, Medical Amnesty for Minors, provides limited immunity for a minor in good faith who needs or seeks emergency medical help on behalf of themselves or another in a medical emergency in a situation where there is consumption or possession of alcohol. I voted for this bill. H451, Early Literacy Program, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the home and school in a student's success in reading by 3rd grade level. It emphasizes strong reading intervention with required parental involvement in the process of developing a reading improvement plan for deficient readers. Parental notification is required, and a time period is given for the reading plan to be put in place. Because of growing illiteracy, I supported this legislation because normally a student will not obtain literacy if it is not accomplished by 3rd grade. What I did not support was the $10 million asked for this program, when the Dept of Education only asked for $2 million. H570, Education, empowers schools to evaluate existing laws and rules, and request waivers that would allow them to respond in innovative ways to local needs through the creation of up to ten Innovation Schools around the state each year for five years. Teachers, principals, superintendents and school boards will have the opportunity to receive waivers in exchange for clearly demonstrating student outcomes and meeting well-defined goals. What a great way to encourage local control. H644, Idaho Gap Population, establishes a two year grant program for $5.4 million through the Department of Health and Welfare to the Community Health Center Network of Idaho to 1) collect health data on persons under 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, and 2) provide primary health care services to the gap population through federally qualified health centers throughout the state. It also provides for the Director of Health and Welfare to apply for Medicaid for the same population through a waiver process. I did not support this bill because this is Medicaid expansion with many other problems with the process. There are so many other ways to help this population such as eliminating regulation barriers for providers and charity. Expansion makes persons dependent on entitlements, takes away dignity by eliminating choice for patient and provider, and provides substandard care, and does not cut costs. Sen. Sheryl L. Nuxoll Idaho State Senate (208) 332-1355 (Direct line) (208) 332-1417 (Assistant’s line) snuxoll@senate.idaho.gov |
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