February 9, 2023
By: District 31 Representative Julianne Young
I’m hard at work, fighting for the rights and interests of the people of Idaho. I love this great state, and I’m excited to share some of the work that is being done here at the Gem State’s Capitol.
HB 71- Protecting Children from Mutilation
It is vital that we protect children with gender dysphoria from the irreversible harm caused by sex-change surgery, puberty blockers, and doses of opposite-sex hormones. These significant harms include sterilization, among other things. A child is not developmentally mature enough to understand these harms or give informed consent. Yet, in some cases, these impressionable and vulnerable children are subjected to permanent physical alteration, despite the fact that the vast majority of children confused about their gender eventually accept their physical sex. Unfortunately, these medical alterations can destroy a child’s natural sexual capacity, but, in reality, can never create the sexual function of the opposite sex. House Bill 71 prohibits these harmful practices on children. I am a cosponsor on HB 71 which passed out of committee early this week and will likely be headed to the Senate before the end of the week.
HB 63- Protecting Freedom of Conscience for Counselors
Counselors and family therapists should not be forced to provide services that are in direct conflict with their deeply held religious and moral beliefs. I’m proud to have introduced HB 63, protecting counselors and therapists in their practice. This legislation also protects prospective clients, ensuring that counselors can disclose their sincerely held values to their clients and that the counselor and client are able to work as a fully vested team in pursuit of a client’s desired goals or outcomes.
HB 64- Ensuring In-Person Visitation Rights for Those in Assisted Living and Residential Care
During the pandemic, a loophole in our existing residential care regulations allowed state regulators to prohibit “in-person” visitation. I personally received calls from care center owners who were heartbroken as they watched residents literally die from loneliness and isolation. People who live in assisted living and residential care facilities deserve and need the company of their loved ones and the assistance of their physicians. I have introduced HB 64, protecting the right of residents to in-person visitation by family and physicians. Just talking with someone through Zoom or the phone does not give the personal connection and love that comes from being together for real. If a resident of these facilities wants to see their loved ones or their physician, this bill will ensure that they get the personal connection they want and need.
Linking Unemployment Benefits to Unemployment Rate
My colleague Rep. Skaug and I just introduced a bill indexing unemployment benefits to the unemployment rate. When there are fewer jobs, people need more time to find work, but when jobs are abundant the state should pay for fewer weeks of unemployment benefits. This change would cut unemployment taxes paid by Idaho employers approximately 19% and unemployed individuals would be incentivized to return to the workforce at a faster rate. This bill does not have an assigned bill number, but will be assigned a number and receive a committee hearing in the Idaho House shortly.
Bills for Property Tax Relief
Property taxes are far too high. My colleagues have introduced multiple bills to reduce Idaho’s property taxes and provide much-needed relief. House Bill 77, introduced by Rep. Grow, would direct millions of dollars of state surplus revenue to reduction of property tax. House Bill 78, introduced by Rep. Skaug, would restore the homeowner’s property tax exemption index. This index will reduce the amount homeowners pay, potentially exempting up to 240,000 dollars. House Bill 79, introduced by Rep. Moyle, increases the homeowners exemption up to 150,000 dollars. I am encouraged by the work being done to address this important issue and ensure that Idahoans are not taxed out of their homes.
