Delegate Phillip Scott: Weekly Newsletter XCVI

The fourth week of Session has been disheartening to say the least. Simon's law, which was a simple bill to ensure parental involvement and consent in Do Not Resuscitate orders died in the full Health and Human Services Committee. The fact that Democrats do not even want reasonable parameters, makes me remorseful and scares me for families like ours. These parameters are necessary for children with medical complications, and families of children with disabilities.    As I was sitting waiting for committee, I witnessed democrats kill a bill that would have helped save children who survive abortions. This bill is common sense, with provisions for gestational age, provisions for parents to make end of life decisions etc. My friend, Nick Freitas fought fervently for this bill, and I am grateful he brought it forward.

Bill Highlights

HB1160 allows for independent contractors to open an account that they can contribute to pre-tax for health and other benefits. This is a common sense program that recognizes our changing employment landscape with freelancers and independent contractors becoming more and more normal. I believe it is time that we value these workers in the same way we value W-2 employees.    HB1206, which failed subcommittee on Friday was a bill to disallow explicit material in schools and have public libraries have a restricted section. This would ensure librarians are given the option to check the age of the people they check books out to. This is not meant to be a panacea for children's innocence, but to reinforce to parents that they can trust their libraries to provide resources for children without fear of explicit material.