June 13, 2008
Final Regulations on REAL ID; Ensuring Child Product Safety; Health Insurance Coverage for Young Adults; Supreme Court Upholds Voter Photo ID Law
Capitol Ideas is a periodic listing of story ideas and background information from new NCSL research. For more information or a copy of each LegisBrief, contact NCSL's Press Team.
REAL ID: Final Regulations
In January, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the long-awaited final regulations on implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005. Under the act, if states don't adopt certain standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards the federal government will not accept them for things such as boarding commercial aircraft, entering a federal building or nuclear power plant, for other purposes as determined by the secretary of Homeland Security. DHS re-estimated the cost to states of implementation at just under $4 billion over 10 years. States will need access to at least five national databases to produce the new licenses, and several states have refused to comply with REAL ID.
New Website Offers Information on Treatment for Opiate Addiction
NCSL recently launch a website to address medication-assisted treatment for opiate addiction. Through a partnership with a substance abuse consulting firm, NCSL will highlight policies regarding treatment for and public financing of opiate addiction and the public financing of such treatment. This website is a resource center within NCSL on all aspects of medication-assisted treatment for opiate addiction that attempts to raise the level of awareness among legislators, legislative staff and the general public.
Ensuring Child Product Safety
In 2007, 42 toys and 63 infant or child products were recalled due to lead hazards. Lead is a neurotoxin that can affect a child’s brain development and ability to learn. Nineteen states addressed lead levels in toys, but more are considering taking action or considering legislation to address toxins in toys.
Health Insurance Coverage for Young Adults
Young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 are uninsured more often than any other age group. Sixty percent of employer health plans do not cover employees' children after they reach age 19 if they are not enrolled full time in college. In the first year after graduation, about 40 percent of college graduates and 50 percent of high school graduates who do not enroll in college will be uninsured. Find out if your state has legislation to extend dependent benefits to young adults.
Supreme Court Upholds Indiana Voter Photo ID Law
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6 to 3 vote on April 28, 2008, rejected a challenge to Indiana’s voter photo identification law in the case of Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. At issue was whether Indiana’s requirement that voters show government-issued photo identification before casting a ballot, with certain exemptions, violated the U.S. Constitution. Some argued the law violated the basic right to vote. Indiana's requirement was found to be constitutionally valid and reasonable. Learn which 25 states require some form of voter identification.
Register Now
Registration to the National Conference of State Legislatures' Legislative Summit is free to members of the media! The 2008 Legislative Summit--a meeting of ideas, solutions, innovations and connections--will be at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, July 22-26. More than 150 policy sessions will cover issues such as education, health care and corrections. Come examine some of the most important concerns facing state legislators from across the country. Members of the media can register on NCSL's Legislative Summit home page by clicking on the Press Room. Registration is listed under Resources for Journalists.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
###
|
