A Guide to Legislation
Legislation has been the backbone of systematic change for generations. Whether it was the Civil Rights Act of 1960 banning discrimination in the country or legislation passed by California which bans districts from requiring school staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation without the child's permission legislation can be used as a catalyst for change. Youth play a vital role in advocating for such changes. As you identify your advocacy goals, its important to recognize your ability to advocate for legislative change. This may come in the form of actively opposing a bill you identify as harmful, drafting your own legislation, or pushing for the passing of a bill you identify as beneficial, legislative advocacy is within your reach and should be considered as you identify your advocacy goals. Below are guides diving in depth into these categories and detailing what you can do to engage in legislative advocacy.
Supporting Legislation
Supporting legislation is one of the most impactful things you can do. In order to demand legislators to take a bill seriously they need to see how the people view that legislation. Supporting legislation may be communicating to your legislator why you like a bill or talking to legislators about the importance of a bill. Click below to find out what you can do to support legislation.
Proposing Legislation
Proposing legislation is a big feet. It becomes your responsibility to present to your legislators an idea, explain to them the value of your legislative proposal, and track your legislative idea throughout the legislative process. Although it may seem like challenge it is completely attainable. For more information on how to propose legislation and get it passed visit the page below.
Opposing Legislation
Supporting and proposing legislation is all good and well but sometimes what needs to happen is the opposition of legislation. In some instances legislation will be developed that may be harmful to the community or contradict one or multiple of your advocacy goals. Opposing legislation and shedding light on why that piece of legislation is harmful is important. You can oppose legislation by talking to legislators, hosting walkouts, hosting protests, and sharing with the community why that item of legislation is bad. Click below to learn how to oppose legislation effectively.