2022 Session is Underway
Dear Neighbors,
I am excited to be back in session to advance a slate of youth-centered legislation to support students and schools, protect public safety through juvenile justice reforms, advocate for bold investments in climate action, and support families and workers in Minnesota as we continue to move through the pandemic.
The House has hit the ground running the first week, passing the first bill of the session, HF1203, which extends the workers’ compensation presumption that eligible workers who test positive for COVID-19 contracted the virus during employment. Our frontline first responders deserve the protection they have given us the past two years. They have worked selflessly, with long hours since the start of the pandemic. I am proud to stand with frontline workers and will always fight for their worker protection.
End Period Poverty for Minnesota’s Students
I’ve introduced legislation to end Period Poverty in Minnesota’s students, requiring that schools provide free menstrual products, which includes funding to support this critical expenditure. No student should miss school because they can't afford menstrual products.
This bill took off following the advocacy of extraordinary students across our state. I am so proud of our students and am honored to be working with them to advance this long-overdue legislation.
I would love to hear your thoughts and advocacy as well! The Education Finance Committee will be hearing this bill in the coming weeks, and we are collecting statements to be read in front of the committee. The template can be found here. Please email me your statement at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn to include in the bill presentation.
The Student Data Privacy Act
On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to advance my legislation to bring our student data privacy laws into the 21st century. For those interested in learning more about the issues at stake when we fail to regulate student surveillance and access by private companies to student data, here is an excellent half-hour discussion and interview with experts that recently aired on NPR’s show 1A. In addition, here is an excellent scholarly article describing how remote surveillance mechanisms create a “host of concerns surrounding the perpetuation of inequality for students already marginalized.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives
The next phase of the Kids Deserve a Shot vaccine incentive program is underway. Minnesota Families who get their qualifying children fully vaccinated in January or February can get a $200 Visa gift card. To be eligible, kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between January 1 and February 28. Registration opened at 10:00am on January 24, 2022 and close at 11:59pm on February 28, 2022.
Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all 5-11 year olds who are fully vaccinated. Details will be released soon.
Families in Minnesota can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find local vaccine clinics. Families can also check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments. In addition, please be sure to watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
Stay in Touch
If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn or call (651) 296-4331.
Sincerely,
Sandra Feist
State Representative