Legislative Update March 14, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
March is Women’s History Month, and March 8th was International Women’s Day! Let’s use this month to remember and honor all of the amazing women who paved the way for us. It has been over 100 years since women won the right to vote, and we are still fighting! There is still a lot of work we need to do to stand up for equal rights in Minnesota and I am committed to pursuing this important work at the Capitol.
ERA Minnesota Legislation
There were a lot of folks in green at the Capitol at the start of this Women’s History Month as we had bill hearings on legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which I authored. I am proud to carry this bill and was glad to have Betty Folliard, former state representative and founder of ERA Minnesota, testify in committee in support of my bill!
My bill would call on the U.S. Congress to recognize state ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and adopt it as the 28th Amendment to our U.S. Constitution. The ERA passed in the U.S. Congress on a 2/3 vote in 1972 and ratified by 3/4 of states, or 28 states, would ensure that no one is discriminated against because of their sex. The time to act on this resolution is now and expand the dream of freedom and equality under the law to all citizens.
Preventing FASD
Last week, I presented my bill to increase funding for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevention grants. Fetal alcohol exposure is the number one cause of childbirth defects—it is common, it is irreversible, but it is 100 percent preventable. Past efforts on FASD prevention have shown community partnerships with PROOF Alliance are effective in supporting children and women in recovery. I was proud to introduce this bill with bipartisan support and I thank the committee for its consideration. This critical legislation is another step forward in my commitment to supporting families, healthy moms, and healthy babies.
Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
Our grand online experiment called the internet has failed our youth and failed to protect their data, but Minnesota can become a national leader in protecting our kids online.
That’s why I have been working to create a Minnesota Age-Appropriate Design Code (AADC), which would ensure that our youth can access all the internet has to offer without the risk of harm from predatory data collection and exploitation. I have been proud to partner with Minnesota Kids Code in introducing this legislation, which can become a nationwide model on how to ensure that software is required to be designed for kids, not profit, online. We have already had our first committee hearing and have another up in Judiciary this week. I will continue to fight for the AADC this session!
House Floor Votes
This month, the Minnesota House passed the Pathway Home Act. This legislation increases funds dedicated to ending homelessness in our state by investing in emergency services programs, transitional housing, outreach, and a pathway to stable housing for all Minnesotans. Emergency services and shelters save lives and keep people safe. The Pathway Home Act invests $150 million through 2028 to preserve and add over 3,000 shelter beds throughout Minnesota to ensure more people can receive services and housing regardless of their background or zip code. This bill is the critical first step to get families back on their feet, stable, and able to move back to permanent housing and better job opportunities on their pathway home.
We also voted to put new guardrails into state law to prevent unconscionable price gouging during times of emergency such as a pandemic or natural disaster. Minnesotans deserve to be protected from bad actors seeking to profit off their needs and fears in a time of crisis. Voting for this bill is a vote to hold people accountable when they take advantage of our family, friends, and neighbors.
Stay Connected!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments you may have. I can be reached at 651-296-5502 or rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn. It’s an honor to represent our community.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
Your State Representative