Washington Post
By Niraj Chokshi
August 4, 2015
States passed 153 laws in the first six months of the year, more than during the same period of any year since 2011.
The
laws — passed by all but nine states — affect everything from budgets
to education to health care to licensing and human trafficking,
according to the bipartisan National
Conference of State Legislatures. States also adopted 238 resolutions,
which typically carry less weight and commend, recognize or urge
actions by others.
Here’s a summary of the trends:
The
largest share of laws — 23 percent — affected budget and
appropriations. Education laws accounted for 15 percent of the total,
while those related to health accounted
for 14 percent. Twelve percent affected IDs and driver’s licenses,
while 10 percent affected law enforcement.
Budgets:
The budget-related laws passed typically appropriated funds for health,
naturalization or refugee services, education programs or law
enforcement.
Education:
Seven states appropriated some or all of the federal naturalization exam, in some cases using the questions in high school civics classes.
Utah and Connecticut
made it easier for undocumented immigrant students to get higher
education assistance, while Mississippi made it harder.
Employment:
A number of states passed laws regulating employment, addressing
eligibility for unemployment benefits, worker’s compensation and
authorization to work.
Driving:
Delaware and Hawaii made it easier for undocumented immigrants to drive
legally. Connecticut required that licenses for such immigrants clearly
state that they
cannot be used for voting.
Health:
California extended access to health care to poor, undocumented
children. Fifteen states passed 22 health-related laws, most of them
related to assistance to children
and the poor or setting criteria for jobs in the health profession.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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