NBCSL | Policy in Action

NBCSL members are leading the way in their states, passing policies that positively impact the lives of all Americans. Here, you will find examples of enacted legislation spearheaded by NBCSL members as a result of their involvement with us. Members could have learned about a policy idea from an NBCSL symposium, policy resolution, Annual Legislative Conference, magazine article, or one of our monthly briefs. Through this feature, we show the strength of our members, the success of our programs, and the greater impact on generations to come.

Reducing Tobacco Use Among African Americans

Background According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans approximately made up 12 percent of the 46 million adult smokers in 2008. In particular, menthol cigarette use is disproportionately high among African Americans with nearly 84 percent of black smokers aged 12 years or older report smoking menthol cigarettes. Despite the common belief that mentholated cigarettes…

Fighting for Financial Security

Background A study conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 2013 found that 9.6 million households were unbanked. The highest of which were found among non-Asian minorities, lower-income households, younger households, and unemployed households. For people of color being unbanked (having no bank accounts) or underbanked (having bank accounts but still using alternative payment systems, such as payday loans, check…

NBCSL Members Fighting for Safer School Environments

Background Once cast off as a rite of passage or common behavior, the act of bullying can have lasting effects on a student’s academic achievement and emotional and physical health. Bullying can also lead to long-term discipline issues, especially among students of color and LGBTQ students, and children in these at-risk categories face higher levels of suspensions and expulsions. Issues…

Justice for the Scottsboro Boys

Background In March of 1931, nine Black teens aged 13 to 19 boarded a train in Scottsboro, Alabama. Their names were Olen Montgomery, Clarence Norris, Haywood Patterson, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Charlie Weems, Eugene Williams, Andy Wright and Roy Wright. When a fight broke out, these young boys were arrested for assault and later, two White women accused the young…