A group of Lima Senior High Schools students participated this past weekend in the 66th Ohio YMCA Youth & Government High School State Assembly District 1.
The school took nine students and presented six different bills written by Lima Senior students. They were there from March 30 to April 1.
Three of the bills presented made it through committee to the full floor of the House they were assigned to. All three passed on their floor and were signed into “law” by the presiding Governor.
Below are some specifics of the three bills, including which students wrote each of them:
Samantha Cousey and Amari Russell – Bill proposed that the age for obtaining a learner’s permit be dropped to 15 instead of 15 and a half. This is a revision to the section 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. This would allow a student a full year of practice before obtaining their actual driver’s license.
Darius Collins and Nick Jolliff – Bill would make the half hour unpaid work break given to minors after five hours optional if the minor does not want to lose that working time. The choice would be left to the minor, but they must notify the work manager for approval.
Austin Anderson and Jesus Pagan Rosario – Bill banned the use of animal testing in Ohio as well as the sale of any product that is developed or manufactured using animal testing.
Reilie Lyons was a part of the Governor’s cabinet this year and was elected as a presiding officer (meaning she will be Speaker of the House in one of the Houses next year).
Youth & Government is a YMCA program that allows high school students to serve in model governments at the local, state, national and international levels.