My paper topic will be on a bill to be entitled an act relating to the definition of child abuse, It was introduced, H.B. No.42, by Slaton.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB42
The essay should consist of these following:
Overview of the problem: An overview of the public health problem to be addressed by the legislation. Discuss the problem and the number of people affected by it and by the proposed bill. (1 points)
Severity of the problem: Discuss the research behind the health problem. Is there consensus among researchers regarding how to deal with it? What would realistically happen if no intervention was implemented? Please make sure to cite all references to the literature to support your statistics and data. Your statements must be factual and scientifically correct, so if you are not sure about a health claim being made in the bill or by a group for/against it, look it up and confirm the validity yourself. Just because a statement is made in the bill, it does not mean that it is necessarily accurate. (2 points)
Overview of the bill and stakeholders: Please make sure to identify the name, number, and author of the bill. In this section, you should include an overview of the proposed bill in terms of its specific provisions. Do not just discuss what the promoters promise that it will accomplish. Make sure to read the fine print and see exactly what the bill will do. Describe who the stakeholders are that are affected in any way by this bill. Also, please make sure to identify the current status of the bill. Has it been passed by one or both houses? (2 points)
Promises/Expected Outcomes: Who are the promoters of the bill? Describe what the promoters of the bill believe that the bill will accomplish. Make sure to discuss what specific health outcomes that the promoters say will occur if the bill is passed. Discuss who is for the bill and why they are for it. Keep in mind that a group’s stated reason for being in favor of a bill may not be the real reason. For example, a group may say they are in favor of a bill due to public health benefits when in actuality, the group will benefit financially from its passage. Try to be as specific as possible as to how public health will be improved (according to the promoters) by the bill’s passage. ( 2 points)
Problems: Describe what individuals or groups are opposed to the bill and why there are opposed. Make sure to research special interest groups such as professional trade associations, industry groups, etc. to see what type of lobbying efforts they are making with respect to the bill. Again, keep in mind that some groups’ stated reasons for being opposed to a bill may not be the true underlying reason. Also, keep in mind that all of those opposed to the bill are not always listed in the text of the legislation – you will need to do your own research. (2 points)
Unintended Consequences: Describe what unintended consequence that could arise resulting from the passage of this bill. In this section, you should discuss unanticipated events that could go wrong if the bill was passed. Make sure to include unintended consequences that have been suggested by others (make sure to cite your source), as well as ones that you believe could occur based on your understanding of the bill. (2 points)
Recommendation: What is your recommendation regarding this bill from a public health perspective? Make sure to back up your opinion with the facts. IMPORTANT: Your opinion must be supported by specific aspects of the bill and with support from class readings or other sources. (2 points)