Policy Resolution CYF-22-46

WHEREAS,  the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has long had a commitment to youth of our nation, and has sought to including them in many of our Annual Meetings;

WHEREAS, states establish Legislative Youth Advisory Council to  provide to the general assembly information from young people concerning issues that are of importance to youth;

WHEREAS, the issues examined by the Council demand the attentiveness of the community, and; challenge the community to come forth and help the youth in their pursuit of improving their quality of life;

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 60 million people volunteered and 30% were between the ages of 16-19, this establishes that youth are present to advocate for themselves and to put in the service hours to achieve their goals;

WHEREAS, 20% of the states in the U.S. currently have a Youth Advisory Council;

WHEREAS, according to the Civic Educator, states that have youth councils create opportunities for youth to streamline their involvement in civic engagement and, states like Minnesota, New York, and Indiana create spaces for the youth on the Council to actively engage with their Representatives, state agencies, and Governors to provide vital insight into the issues plaguing youth today;

WHEREAS, the Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council has been active within the General Assembly by endorsing legislation and legislators that focus on the following issues: Wage Disclosure Protection (HB 1011), Tuition Caps (HB 1088), Student Hunger and Homelessness (HB 1089), School Funding (SB 2), School Safety (SB 64), and much more;

WHEREAS, African Americans and other ethnic minorities typically report less partnership with legislatures and the Council has the ability to help bridge the gap of trust between the communities and their public servants;

WHEREAS, as noted in the Purpose of the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council, only 29% of young people believe they have a say in what the government does but, Youth Councils are combatting this feeling; and

WHEREAS, every state needs a Youth Advisory Council that can provide facts about the active issues and culture of the youth such as intercultural communication skills training, exploration of potential barriers to education, and institution of policies that are sensitive to the needs of youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) urges Congress to consider legislation that will promote a National Youth Advisory Council, thus helping to decrease the racial, ethnic, gender language, disability, and socio-economic disparities apparent today that our youth face;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges those states that have not established a Youth Advisory Council in their legislature to consider doing so for the value it adds to the legislature; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

SPONSOR(S): Representative Robin Shackleford (IN), Representative Earl Harris (IN), and Representative Cherrish Pryor (IN)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Policy Committee
Ratified in Plenary Session: December 2, 2021
Ratification certified by: Representative Billy Mitchell (GA), NBCSL President