Commonwealth House 3 challenges updating laws for menstruating people.
Olivia Otto
During my first night at KYA, I dove right into committees, hoping to experience the heart of the conference; I was far from disappointed. This year’s bills were better than ever, bringing a variety of social reforms and political structure changes to the table. The debates were filled with passion and camaraderie, which is truly what KYA should ignite. So as I sat in House Three of the Commonwealth, I soaked up all I could. After the session was over, I had the opportunity to speak with the bill authors of three of the Commonwealth bills presented.
Commonwealth 6: An Act Relating to Excused Days Off For Menstruating People For Menstruation Related Health Issues.
Frederick Douglas High School: Ashley Cristi, Clementine Coomes, Emma Anderson, Kennedi Fishback
Q: What prompted your group to write this bill?
A: We were thinking about mental health days, and then that led us to menstruation and how we’ve never heard of a leave for it. That seemed like a fight we were all willing to back up. Many women experience pain greatly and the only way for them to handle it is to rest at home. If you’re experiencing that much pain, then school is the last thing on your mind; you’re not being productive, and you’re not able to focus on the content you’re learning. There’s such a negative stigma around menstrual cycles, and with this, it’s being talked about more (erasing that negative stigma).
Q: Is there any personal connection to this bill?
A: Before being put on birth control, [I] was experiencing unimaginable pains. The only way to soothe this was to go home and sit in a hot shower. [I] would miss two days a month, and the parent notes piled up until there was no more room.
Q: What was the hardest part about creating the bill?
A: When we first came up with the idea, we wanted more days [for menstruation leave]. At first, we decided on fifteen days. However, we realized that some people don’t share the same mindset that we do. We all think there should be more, but a lot of people don’t agree with that, and we wanted the bill to pass. So, I think the hardest part was deciding on the amount of excused days.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a bill author next year?
A: Just go for it. It seems like such a wild thing to do, but if you believe in something, fight for it. Be passionate and go in strong. Don’t let anyone bring you down about something you believe in. We’ve seen people in previous years be thrown into bills that they don’t care about, but it really helps when you really care about it. Time passes by too quickly, so why have regrets when you could go for it?
This bill will start in the Commonwealth PM House A, and I wish them all good luck!
Commonwealth 12: An Act Relating To. Restrooms In Kentucky Public Schools
Greenwood High School: Gunnar Goshorn, Emma Baker, Lauren Goldsmith, Derek Hahne
Q: What prompted your group to write this bill?
A: This bill was prompted by the outreach of students within our own school and their concerns relating to a lack of options for trans students. It is a very personal issue, and one hard to address without attaching emotional engagement.
Q: Is there any personal connection to this bill?
A: As a group of bill authors none of us fall under the trans umbrella, however we are peers to trans students and others willing to utilize the resource in school.
Q: What was the hardest part about creating the bill?
A: Finding a place for funding was definitely difficult, as we didn’t want to cut into a schools independent budget seeing that is counterproductive in promoting positivity from administration. However, these problems were mitigated through strenuous research on possible tax increases on nicotine products.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a bill author next year?
A: Make something that counts! Don’t bring something you are positive will be passed, bring something you are positive will spark change and conversations within each delegation.
This bill will be in Commonwealth PM House A, and I can’t wait to see how it does!
Commonwealth 24: An Act Relating To The Promotion Of Voter Registration Through Tax Benefits
West Jessamine High School: Elena Rodriques, Kate Wilson, Ela Barker, Mercedes Hulett
Q: What prompted your group to write this bill?
A: Voting is a constitutional right that not everyone takes advantage of. Because of this, people are affected by laws that they didn’t actually vote for out of their own will. We believe that it is imperative for all people to vote so that they can have a say in their government. We also thought it was important to have a more engaged civic population. By incentivising it, we can get a larger poll; we’ve seen this work in other states, so we thought we’d give it a try.
Q: Is there any personal connection to this bill?
A: With major presidential elections in the past, many people did not like either of the candidates, so they chose not to vote. However, these people were later affected by the laws passed under the presidency and wished they could go back and vote.
Q: What was the hardest part about creating the bill?
A: Trying to find any other statutes and getting down the schematics of what can be taxed and what can’t be taxed. Wedid model it after Tennessee’s, but there’s definitely differences in what we can and can’t tax. Their sales taxes were more on school supplies and, surprisingly, gun safes. Looking at their bill and trying to mold it to what we wanted for Kentucky was the most difficult part.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a bill author next year?
A: Research everything. Make sure you have a good timeline and have an amazing team of bill sponsors who know what they’re doing. Picking something that you’re interested in (and not just what will get the most votes) is another crucial piece of advice. Even if you come to KYA with a controversial bill, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s true to you.
Commonwealth 24 will appear in the Commonwealth AM House B, and I hope they all do well
