2008 Legislative Agenda Moving Forward
Here's an update of the legislation OutFront Minnesota is pursuing
during the 2008 legislative session:
Local Government Health Benefits Bill (SF 960)
On May 15th,
2008 the Minnesota House passed this legislation! It passed the
Senate in April and now goes to the governor’s desk.
This legislation would allow local
governments (cities, counties, school districts, etc.) to provide
employees whatever health benefits they choose, including domestic
partner benefits.
Since 1995, when a taxpayer
successfully sued the City of Minneapolis claiming that Minneapolis
did not have the authority to offer domestic partner benefits, local
governments have been unable to offer health care benefits to anyone
other than the spouses and children of their employees.
Comprehensive Sex Education (SF 3001/HF 615)
The responsible sex education legislation has been dropped from
the Education Policy Omnibus bill in conference committee. This is very
disappointing to advocates and legislators who have been working on this
legislation throughout the 2008 session. The Governor signaled that he
would veto the bill because of the sex education provision.
There are some contingency plans in the works to keep moving forward
on responsible sex ed legislation.
The legislature must adjourn by Monday, May 19.
This bill would enable school students to receive
age-appropriate scientifically sound sex education to make good choices
for themselves now and in the future.
The House passed this bill as part of an omnibus education bill on April
28th. The Senate passed the bill as part of an omnibus package earlier
in April. The bill now goes to a conference committee to craft a final
version of the legislation.
Watch
KARE 11 story on anti-gay rhetoric that arose on the House floor.
Watch the debate on the House Floor.
Click here and cue up to 4:50:45 (4 hours, 50 minutes, 45 seconds).
View Senate Floor Debate*
Visit www.senate.mn,
go to Wednesday, April 16th and cue up the video to 3 hours, 3 minutes,
31 seconds (3:03:31).
View House Committee Debate*
To view video of the Finance Committee hearing, visit
www.house.mn, go to
Tuesday, April 15th and cue up the video to 2 hours, 3 minutes, 18
seconds (2:03:18).
*Thanks to the
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed for providing information on the
video debate
Employee Family Leave (SF 1128/HF 219 and 1812)
Prospects for passing a comprehensive employee family leave
bill are virtually dead for the session. Two bills that would have
included the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community are no
longer viable in 2008.
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