Category: Issue Advocacy & Nonprofit

  • Educational Equity: Strategies for Advancing Justice in Education

    Educational Equity: Strategies for Advancing Justice in Education

    What is educational equity? In this blog, we explore key topics in education advocacy, including the achievement gap and policy advocacy.

    Education is often touted as the “great equalizer.” It offers individuals the opportunity to transcend socioeconomic barriers and achieve upward mobility. However, the reality is far from equitable.

    Disparities in educational outcomes persist. Differential outcomes often fall along lines of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and more. These dynamics underscore the urgent need for educational justice.

    In this blog, we delve into the complexities of educational equity. Read on to explore strategies for promoting justice and fairness in education.

    Understanding Educational Equity

    Educational equity encompasses more than just equal treatment. It entails providing every student with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. “Equality” assumes a one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, “equity” acknowledges and addresses the systemic barriers that perpetuate disparities.

    Students come from diverse backgrounds and have unique needs and strengths. This recognition lies at the heart of educational equity. Factors such as poverty, language barriers, disability, and systemic racism pose significant hurdles to educational attainment. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Efforts to achieve equity must tackle inequalities at their root, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

    Structural Barriers to Educational Equity

    Structural barriers to equity are numerous. Efforts to address these barriers must adopt a multifaceted approach.

    Funding Equity

    There are many factors that contribute to educational inequity. Prominent among them is disparities in school funding. In the United States, schools are funded according to the income or property taxes of their district. This means that students in low-income areas receive less educational funding than students in high-income areas. The United States is the only major country to operate with this practice. This disparity perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage.

    To promote funding equity, policymakers must adopt fair and transparent funding formulas. Resources should be allocated based on student needs rather than property or income values.

    The Achievement Gap

    The achievement gap is a stark manifestation of educational inequity. Students of color or who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds achieve poor academic outcomes compared to their white, wealthy counterparts. Addressing this gap requires targeted interventions. Schools must provide extra support and resources to students who are falling behind. Strategies might include:

    • Early childhood education
    • High-quality tutoring programs
    • Extended learning opportunities

    If implemented, these measures can help narrow the gap and ensure that all students have an opportunity to succeed.

    Promoting Inclusive Practices to Achieve Educational Equity

    Inclusive education goes beyond mere integration. Educators must create learning environments that value diversity, foster belonging, and accommodate the unique needs of all students. Essential components of inclusive education include, among others:

    • Culturally responsive teaching practices
    • Differentiated instruction
    • Universal design for learning

    Recognizing and celebrating students’ varied backgrounds, diversity, and individual strengths is key. By doing so, educators can build a more equitable and inclusive learning experience.

    Advocacy for Educational Equity

    Advocacy plays a crucial role in advancing educational justice. Effective education advocacy amplifies marginalized voices, mobilizes communities, and holds policy makers accountable. Advocates for educational justice work tirelessly to dismantle systemic barriers. They seek to achieve policies and practices that promote fairness, opportunity, and inclusion. Read below to learn about key strategies for education advocacy.

    Policy Advocacy

    Education advocates engage in policy advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. This may involve:

    • Advocating for equitable school funding
    • Challenging discriminatory practices
    • Promoting policies that address the root causes of educational inequity, such as poverty and systemic racism

    Community Engagement

    Grassroots organizing and community mobilization are powerful tools for advancing educational justice. Advocates work closely with key stakeholders to achieve their goals. These groups might include parents, students, educators, and community members. Effective collaboration enables advocates and their stakeholders to:

    • Identify shared goals
    • Build coalitions
    • Leverage collective power for change

    Examples of community engagement include community-led campaigns, public forums, and grassroots organizing efforts. When successful, these initiatives can raise awareness, mobilize support, and hold policy makers accountable to the needs of the community.

    Empowering Student Voices

    Centering student voices is essential to meaningful advocacy for educational justice. Students are directly impacted by educational inequities. As such, they have valuable insights and perspectives to contribute to advocacy efforts. Empowering students as leaders and advocates helps build their confidence, agency, and sense of ownership in shaping their educational experiences. Initiatives to empower student voices include:

    • Student-led initiatives
    • Youth organizing groups
    • Leadership development programs

    These efforts provide platforms for students to advocate for change in their schools and communities.

    Many states, including Massachusetts and California, have implemented student advisory boards for the state government. With the advisory boards, students have a counted vote in the legislation that impacts themselves and their peers.

    Addressing Intersectional Challenges to Achieve Educational Equity

    Educational inequity is an intersectional issue. It overlaps and interplays with other forms of oppression, including racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia. Intersectional issues create compounded barriers for marginalized students.

    To advance educational justice, advocates must address these intersectional challenges. Adopting an intersectional approach to advocacy requires key considerations.

    Gender Equity

    Gender disparities in education persist in many parts of the world. This is particularly true in access to STEM fields, leadership positions, and resources. Advocates for gender equity work to:

    • Dismantle gender stereotypes
    • Promote inclusive policies and practices
    • Address barriers to girls’ education, such as child marriage and gender-based violence

    Supporting Marginalized Communities

    Marginalized communities including students of color, English language learners, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students. These groups face unique challenges in education. Advocates work to ensure that these communities have:

    • Equitable access to educational opportunities
    • Culturally responsive support services
    • Inclusive learning environments.

    This may involve advocating for language access services, disability accommodations, and LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum and policies.

    Success Stories in Educational Equity

    Many organizations are leading the charge for educational justice around the world. From community-led campaigns for equitable school funding to student-led movements for racial justice in education, there are countless examples of advocacy efforts making a tangible difference in the lives of students. Here are a few case studies highlighting successful strategies for advancing educational equity:

    The Campaign for Fiscal Equity

    New York’s Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) was a landmark legal and advocacy campaign. CFE successfully challenged New York State’s inequitable school funding system. Through years of litigation, community organizing, and public pressure, advocates secured a court ruling declaring the state’s school funding system unconstitutional. They won billions of dollars in additional funding for high-need schools.

    The Ethnic Studies Now! Movement

    Based in California, Ethnic Studies Now! is a grassroots movement led by students, educators, and community members. The movement advocates for the inclusion of ethnic studies in the K-12 curriculum. Efforts undertaken by Ethnic Studies Now! include student-led protests, community forums, and legislative advocacy. Through these efforts, the movement successfully pressured the California State Board of Education to adopt a statewide model curriculum for ethnic studies. California was the first state in the nation to adopt such a curriculum.

    The Disability Rights Movement

    Operating nationwide, the Disability Rights Movement has been instrumental in advocating for equal access to education for students with disabilities. The movement was crucial in the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It has also played a key role in the implementation of inclusive education practices. Disability rights advocates have fought to ensure that students with disabilities have the support and resources they need to thrive in school.

    Achieving Educational Equity

    Educational justice is not just a distant dream — it’s an achievable goal. Equity is within reach if we commit to:

    • Dismantling systemic barriers
    • Centering marginalized voices
    • Advocating for policies and practices that promote fairness and opportunity for all

    By embracing equity as a guiding principle and adopting inclusive and intersectional approaches to advocacy, we can create a more just and equitable education system that empowers every student to reach their full potential.

    Get Started With Plural

    Plural is the policy tracking tool of choice for advocates and policy teams looking to monitor education policy. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

    Interested in getting started? Create a free account or book a demo today!

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  • The Role of Big Data Research in Shaping Advocacy Strategies

    The Role of Big Data Research in Shaping Advocacy Strategies

    For advocacy groups, big data research is key. Advocacy groups now have the opportunity to tap into this vast well of data to shape policy. Learn more today!

    “Big data” refers to large, complex datasets that can be difficult to manage with traditional methods. Three V’s characterize big data:

    • Volume: Big data is high-volume, meaning there is a lot of it and it’s hard to process.
    • Velocity: This data is generated at high speeds. It may even be continuously updated in real time, allowing faster discovery of changes and trends. Machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence tools can recognize patterns and make real-time predictions.
    • Variety: There are many data types and formats, including text, audio, and video. Big data may include social media posts, wearable device data, transaction records, satellite images, scientific equipment readings, and more.

    For advocacy groups, big data research is key. Big data research can uncover trends, patterns, and connections that traditional data analyses may miss. Data scientists can mine big data to create forecasting models that allow them to make predictions based on past trends.

    Big data isn’t new, but new tools and services have begun to make big data research easier. Advocacy groups now have more opportunities to tap into this vast well of data to help shape policy.

    Applications of Big Data Research in Advocacy Work

    Advocacy organizations are scratching the surface of what big data can accomplish. Big data can be used to create data-driven campaigns and policies, generate impactful visualizations and detect trends in real-time. It can even predict the future.

    How Big Data Can Shape Policy Work

    Advocacy organizations can use data analytics to create evidence-based arguments in support of their policy positions. Big data research can help identify where a need or inequality exists. It may even uncover unexpected connections that are otherwise difficult to predict.

    Big data also can support evidence-based actions that meet a need or solve a problem. This type of evidence traditionally comes from research studies or surveys designed to demonstrate cause and effect. Larger data sources can demonstrate patterns and trends that reinforce or add context to these findings.

    Data science professionals can create models that predict future scenarios. This predictive data helps direct advocacy efforts to emerging needs. For instance, climate modeling uses past and current data to forecast climate change, sea level rise, arctic ice loss, and more. Researchers have also used big data to predict disease outbreaks and the progression of epidemics or pandemics.

    Nonprofits and advocacy groups can use data visualization tools to communicate complex findings in an easy-to-digest manner. Well-designed maps, charts, and graphs can help policymakers and the public understand a problem and why certain actions could help solve it.

    Alleviating Concerns Around Big Data

    With large amounts of data tracked in people’s daily lives, privacy is a growing concern. Many sources of big data anonymize and/or aggregate their data. These processes are designed to make it difficult to identify individuals. However, with a very detailed dataset, doing so is sometimes possible.

    To prevent this, advocacy groups should handle data responsibly. Steps should be taken to ensure they aren’t making unnecessary details public. Organizations with an interest in privacy may want to keep track of big data research to identify where policy could create better protections.

    Using Big Data Research to Shape Your Advocacy Strategy

    Big data also can impact the strategies employed by advocacy organizations to achieve their goals. For example, data derived from social media activity could be used to spot relevant trends and target campaigns to the right audience.

    Before that can happen, they need to set a big data strategy and have the knowledge to implement it. What does your organization want to achieve or learn with big data? Will you have people on staff who are trained in data analysis and data science? These questions can help advocacy groups decide when and how to move forward with big data research.

    Accessing, storing, and processing big data can all present challenges to nonprofit organizations. Organizations can buy software tools like Hadoop and set up infrastructure to help manage big data. They also can pay for Big Data as a Service (BDaaS) to manage it on the cloud. In addition to large storage and processing capabilities, these services can include tools for analytics, visualization, predictive analysis, and more.

    Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are the largest companies offering cloud-based big data services. They each also host data marketplaces where you can find big data sources related to your organization’s work. There are also several publicly available data sources you can use to get started. This includes data.gov, an open data website run by the United States government.

    Case Study: Advancing Health Equity Through Big Data Research

    One field where big data has great potential is healthcare. Hospital systems and medical researchers are using big data research to learn more about health trends and improve medical interventions. When is shared with other organizations, this data can be used to shape policy and advocacy campaigns.

    Some researchers are working to help advance health equity. They may study social determinants of health, which are non-medical factors that impact health outcomes. By combining data from electronic health records with other big data, scientists can learn more about why some populations have worse health outcomes or greater disease risks than others. They can also gain more insight into differences in how people respond to treatments. These efforts can identify systemic issues and help improve the care patients receive.

    In 2018, Sutter Health used real-time data from electronic health records alongside other statistics to create a health equity index (HEI). With the HEI, medical providers can tailor interventions and measure their effectiveness. They can also uncover bias and inequalities within the system. For example, Sutter Health found that doctors prescribe medication for pain relief disproportionately along racial lines. No explanation for this behavior was found, suggesting possible racial bias in treatment.

    Big data’s applications in medicine extend beyond healthcare systems. The Big Data for Health Equity collaborative works to advance the use of big data for health equity research. They have developed a deep learning model that can detect racial sentiment and expressions of prejudice from social media posts. Using this and other methods, they investigated how changes in racial attitudes are associated with changes in adverse birth and other health outcomes.

    Big data research has the potential to transform health-related advocacy, along with many other fields.

    Get Started With Plural

    Plural is the policy tracking and legislative intelligence tool of choice for organizations seeking to monitor privacy policy and big data regulation. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

    Book a consultation today!

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  • The Role of Technology in Climate Policy and Sustainable Development 

    The Role of Technology in Climate Policy and Sustainable Development 

    Technology has always been a key driver of climate change. Since the Industrial Revolution, technologies like the internal combustion engine and coal fired power plants have contributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions. 

    Yet, technology can and must be part of our climate solution. This includes technological advancements in energy production, manufacturing, battery storage, and much more. These solutions are necessary to address the effects of climate change and global heating. 

    Technology is a critical weapon in our fight against climate change. Around the world, climate policy experts and other leaders are working to ensure technology is responsibly and effectively integrated into climate plans. 

    Technological advancement will not save us from the impacts of climate change. We’re already feeling the impacts of increased temperatures, rising sea levels, and intensifying natural disasters. Yet, when responsibly used and combined with nature-based approaches, technology can help us mitigate climate impacts. Technological innovation can help us build a greener, healthier future. 

    Integrating Technology Into Climate Policy

    We cannot hope to prevent or reverse climate change without significant technological innovation. To slow the pace of global heating, we must change the ways we produce energy, grow food, travel, and more. This is especially true in the United States, where harmful manufacturing processes dominate the economy. In a society reliant on pollutant energy sources, Americans’ carbon footprints are disproportionately high. Improving the sustainability of our society and economy will require technological innovation in nearly every sector. Advancements must reach from energy production to agriculture, construction, and transportation. 

    Change on this scale will not happen on its own. Leaders must work proactively to encourage the development and adoption of greener technology. Fortunately, this important work to solve the climate crisis has already begun. Creative policy solutions encourage — or even require — the adoption of key climate technologies.

    Reducing Emissions

    Improved energy efficiency allows us to reduce emissions without reducing service usage. For example, an energy efficient washer and dryer allows a consumer to reduce their energy use without reducing how often they do laundry, or the amount of clothes they wash. Both the federal and state governments have set energy efficiency standards for appliances and building codes. Manufacturers and builders alike must meet these efficiency targets.

    Companies face energy efficiency challenges when making these kinds of technological upgrades. Thus, governments have also established incentive programs that encourage and reward the private sector for taking steps to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy maintains a database to track and publicize available incentive programs.

    Of course, the easiest and cheapest way to reduce emissions is to use less energy. Individuals can walk or bike rather than drive, run the air conditioning less in the summer, take fewer flights. But, convincing the population to make these lifestyle changes is challenging. Further, placing the onus of reducing emissions on individuals rather than large corporations who pollute the most seems counterintuitive. Given this reality, technological improvements to reduce emissions are critical.

    Renewable Energy 

    Making the transition to renewable energy is also key. The U.S. has high energy needs, currently mostly met by burning fossil fuels. Switching to clean, renewable energy sources would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This transition will require massive technological improvements in both renewable power generation and energy storage. 

    Renewable energies like solar and wind are already much more affordable than they were in the past. They’re much better quality, too. This is thanks to the work of climate scientists and researchers. Between 2010 and 2020, the cost of solar panels dropped by about 85%. Costs are expected to continue to fall. Improvements in the solar sector are a great example of how technology can improve climate outcomes. Reducing the cost of renewable energy eases the transition to cleaner energy sources. With lower costs, governments and consumers alike are better able to make the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.

    Batteries and energy storage is one of the most critical areas of climate technology research. The cleanest renewable energies like solar and wind are inherently intermittent. When it is sunny or windy, these technologies may generate energy in excess of demand. But on cloudy, still days they may not supply enough. With high-energy density battery storage, excess energy can be stored, quite literally, for a rainy day. At present, our battery technology is not capable of storing the energy density we need to run the economy. Improving battery capacity and reducing energy storage costs requires significant research. Without advancement in this sector, the U.S. will struggle to meet emissions goals. 

    Electric Vehicles

    Twenty-nine percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from the transportation sector. Cars and light duty trucks are responsible for 58% of those transportation emissions. Cars contribute massively to America’s carbon emissions problem. Any serious climate plan must include policies to reduce motor vehicle emissions.  

    Many climate activists are skeptical of electric vehicles (EVs), and for good reason. Electric cars require batteries full of rare earth minerals. These necessary minerals are mined with dangerous, polluting methods. Further, EVs don’t address the land use problems that accompany a transit system reliant on private vehicles. Public transit, biking, and walking are all more climate friendly than electric cars. 

    Still, the U.S. is built around cars. Transitioning to other modes of transportation takes time, and EVs will reduce transportation emissions in the short-term. Increasing their affordability and use will help reduce transportation emissions today. The Biden Administration has set a national target of 50% EV sales share by 2030. To support this goal, the Administration launched the EV Charging Action Plan. The Plan sets forth a roadmap build out a national network of EV chargers. It also included new tax credits for electric vehicle purchases in the Inflation Reduction Act.   

    Smart Development

    Though less damaging than transportation, the development and buildings sector also contributes to emissions. Commercial and residential buildings make up about 13% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the efficiency of new and old buildings will improve climate outcomes. 

    The U.S. has set aggressive new efficiency standards for utility providers and appliance manufacturers. These standards aim to reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings, while also reducing utility costs for consumers. The Administration also recently launched the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure. The Plan invests $500 million in energy efficiency upgrades for public school buildings across the U.S.  

    President Biden’s Climate Agenda and Key Climate Policies

    President Biden campaigned on fighting climate change through building a greener economy. He has set ambitious climate goals while in office. In particular, the Biden Administration has committed the U.S. to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 2005 emissions levels by 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To realize these climate goals, the Biden Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach. Climate policies are a key feature of the Administration’s two signature domestic policy achievements: the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

    Both laws made massive investments in the following areas, among others:

    • Low-carbon technologies
    • Climate tech research
    • Renewable energy deployment
    • Legacy pollution mitigation

    The Administration has also invested in clean energy manufacturing and EVs. It has also made environmental justice a priority when implementing these new programs. President Biden’s climate agenda attempts to activate every sector of the economy in the fight against climate change. This effort enlists a broad range of federal agencies, state-level programs, and private sector actors to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of global heating. 

    Technology’s Role in President Biden’s Climate Agenda

    President Biden’s climate policies have invested billions in climate technology. Both the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law launched huge new spending programs for clean power investments, the domestic manufacturing of renewable energy technology, offshore wind installations, and more. 

    These bills also created new revenue streams for research and development. The Administration launched the Energy Earthshots Initiative. Housed in the U.S. Department of Energy, the initiative aims to accelerate breakthroughs in clean energy technology. It supports “moonshot-style” big ideas in the world of climate technology, with a focus on:

    • Carbon capture and storage
    • Clean fuel production
    • Grid-scale battery energy storage
    • Industrial heat decarbonization projects
    • Novel renewable energy sources like hydrogen and floating offshore wind

    Many of these technologies are currently underdeveloped or too expensive to be feasible. As such, the Energy Earthshots Initiative seeks to invest in these nascent technologies and support their ongoing development. A new discovery in these sectors could revolutionize the energy future in the US. Such a development would help the country meet ambitious emissions reductions goals. 

    Key Aspects of President Biden’s Climate Agenda 

    The Biden Administration has also prioritized environmental justice in its climate policies. Historically, low-income and communities of color have both received less federal infrastructure investment than their wealthy, white peers. They’ve also been forced to absorb more of the negative externalities associated with climate change and environmental pollution. This inequality is reflected in the poor public health of many low income and communities of color. The environmental justice movement is working to redress this inequality.

    In 2021, Biden launched the Justice40 initiative, which commits the federal government to delivering at least 40% of the benefits from seven overall categories of federal spending to historically disadvantaged communities. 

    The Justice40 initiative brings a whole-of-government approach to persistent and systemic environmental inequity. It involves a wide array of agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. The initiative will transform hundreds of federal programs to ensure funding is equitably distributed and new programs are implemented with real community input. Justice40 covers existing federal programs as well as new programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the IRA.

    As climate change continues, disadvantaged communities are most at risk from high temperatures, rising sea levels, and damaging storms. Justice40 will help ensure that the communities most impacted by climate change receive their fair share of climate mitigation investments. 

    United States Climate Policy for Sustainable Development

    Globally, the United Nations (UN) has taken the lead on climate policy. UN member states are organized around shared goals and commitments for climate action. As one of the largest creators of carbon pollution, the United States’ participation in global climate action is critical. Unfortunately, U.S. climate policy has been inconsistent. Policy often shifts massively as different political parties take power. For example, President Obama’s administration played a key role in the creation of the Paris Climate Agreement. After Obama left office, President Trump formally withdrew the United States from the agreement. President Biden then signed an order recommitting the U.S. to the Paris Agreement on his first day in office. 

    It’s difficult to lead on climate policy with changing leadership and inconsistent commitments. America’s indecision has created a leadership vacuum that the UN and other global actors have filled. Academics and activists have also played a key role.

    Climate change is a global problem that demands global solutions. Greater consistency in U.S. climate policy would allow us to take a stronger leadership role and use our considerable global influence to support the development and implementation of climate technologies around the world. 

    Get Started With Plural for Climate Policy

    Plural is the policy intelligence tool of choice for those looking to track climate policy in the United States. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

    Book a consult today!

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    More Climate Policy Resources

  • Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the Spotlight: How States are Regulating PBMs

    Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the Spotlight: How States are Regulating PBMs

    Divisiveness characterizes our current era in American politics. In this context, it can be hard to get lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to agree on anything. However, lowering prescription drug costs seems to be a rare uniting issue. Listen to a political rally on the left or the right, and you’re likely to hear a shared desire to lower prescription drug costs.

    Identifying a problem doesn’t necessarily lead to consensus on a solution. Regardless, bipartisan attention on prescription drug costs has shifted focus toward the drug supply chain over the past decade.

    Recently, many states have introduced proposals to reign in prescription drug prices. These proposals have included:

    • Establishing prescription drug affordability boards
    • Allowing for the import of drugs from Canada
    • Requiring greater transparency from drug manufacturers

    At the federal level, the Biden Administration has also taken action. President Biden has enacted laws that:

    • Allow Medicare to negotiate pricing on a limited number of prescription drugs
    • Require drug companies to pay rebates when they increase prices on certain drugs too quickly

    Amidst varying proposals and laws, common themes emerge. One common area of focus is the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in the drug supply chain. PBMs have become a key subject of debate in both state houses and Congress. Below, we dive into what PBMs do and how legislators are seeking to regulate their behavior.

    What is a Pharmacy Benefit Manager?

    If you have never heard of PBMs or don’t know what they do, you are not alone. PBMs work largely behind the scenes with health plans, drug manufacturers, and pharmacies. A PBM is a company that negotiates with drug manufacturers, generally on behalf of health insurers. They interact with each party in the process of buying and provisioning prescription drugs.

    Because of their behind-the-scenes role, the part PBMs play in determining how much patients pay for drugs and what drugs they’re able to access isn’t always obvious. Despite this, PBMs have a massive impact on the availability and affordability of drugs.

    PBMs provide value to pharmacies, insurers, and drug manufacturers. They take responsibility for the logistical morass that determines:

    • What drugs are available to patients
    • How they access them
    • At what cost (to the patient, the plan, the pharmacy, and the manufacturer) said drugs can be accessed

    In solving this puzzle, PBMs end up with significant leverage to negotiate with drug manufacturers. In theory, this leverage would allow them to lower costs for insurers and patients alike. 

    But PBMs are also for-profit entities, and often very successful ones. PBMs make money by:

    • Receiving rebates from drug manufacturers
    • Receiving payments from insurers for drugs that are higher than what the PBM pays the pharmacy to dispense that drug. This is commonly called “spread pricing”
    • Charging administrative fees to the insurers they work for. 

    How are Lawmakers Attempting to Regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers?

    It’s clear that PBMs have a massive influence on drug distribution and affordability. Given this, it seems obvious that they would be a focus of legislative attempts to lower prescription drug costs. Hundreds of bills have been filed over the past two years with this intent. Proposals have primarily been aimed at increasing transparency into how PBMs make money. In April of 2024, two such proposals have passed. Learn more below.

    Oregon HB 4149

    Oregon HB 4149 became law on April 10, 2024. The new law requires PBMs to be licensed by the state. PBMs will also be subject to increased reporting requirements. The new law will also likely give state officials more latitude to investigate and penalize PBMs that violate the law.

    Idaho H 596

    Idaho H 596 became law on April 1, 2024. The new law ensures PBMs pass on rebates. It will also limit the use of “spread pricing” and require additional transparency from PBMs.

    Many other state-level proposals have followed similar themes. Other bills seek to ban “spread pricing” or require that rebates are passed along to insurers and patients. On the federal level, legislative efforts have proposed similar reforms. Though they’ve received some bipartisan report, bills have not yet been moved forward by leadership.

    The PBM industry has pushed back against these legislative proposals. They argue that rising drug prices are largely the fault of drug manufacturers. 

    Looking Ahead: Efforts to Regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers

    Robust action on PBMs at the federal level is not imminent. Regardless, recent reforms by the Biden Administration show that prescription drug pricing is a policy area where coalition-building and legislative success are possible. Given this, it wouldn’t be surprising to see PBM reforms included in negotiations over “must pass” defense or budget legislation.

    At the state level, states that have passed PBM legislation will serve as a model for future bills. Because the PBM industry is so nationalized, legislation passed in one state could have ramifications on others.

    In a time when most policy areas are unlikely to be acted on due to political polarization, prescription drug policy represents a uniquely active space. You can discover, track, and influence the development and progress of this legislation using Plural today. Create an account or book a demo!

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  • 6 Public Policy Topics You Should Be Monitoring

    6 Public Policy Topics You Should Be Monitoring

    With thousands of bills introduced each session, it can be difficult to cut through the noise to get to the issues that matter. Staying ahead of key public policy topics is essential, and being in the know can aid your efforts to influence legislation. But what public policy topics should you be monitoring?

    This blog delves into six public policy areas:

    1. Education
    2. Energy and climate
    3. Healthcare
    4. Housing
    5. Technology and artificial intelligence (AI)
    6. Voting and elections

    For lobbyists and policy teams, understanding these issues is critical to effective advocacy. Keeping abreast of developments can help you anticipate shifts that could impact stakeholders. Read below to get a sense of the key topics within each issue and discover more resources.

    Education

    In the public policy arena, education is a fertile ground for debate. The topic is continually influenced by cultural, political, and technological shifts. The recent “culture wars” have brought issues like book bans and the inclusion of race in curriculums to the forefront. These dynamics challenge policymakers to navigate a landscape marked by deeply polarized views.

    Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped educational delivery. While the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning, it highlighting disparities in access and outcomes.

    Further, parental influence in classrooms has grown. This has manifested in increased demands for control over educational content. What’s more, contentious discussions around charter schools and educational equity have continued.

    These dynamics present complex challenges that require nuanced understanding and strategic advocacy. Education policy advocates must ensure that legislation supports a balanced, forward-thinking approach.

    Explore Education Resources

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    Energy and Climate

    Energy and climate policy is at a critical juncture. In recent years, debates have intensified around sustainable practices and economic impacts.

    Electric vehicles are a key policy focus, driven by global commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This shift necessitates substantial investments in infrastructure.

    Many energy and climate priorities align with broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. In their own right, ESG initiatives have become a hot button issue in both corporate and political spheres.

    Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act represents a significant legislative milestone. The law aims to bolster climate resilience and promote clean energy through financial incentives and regulatory reforms.

    For public policy professionals, effectively navigating this evolving landscape is key. However, doing so requires a deep understanding of both the technical aspects and societal implications of proposed measures. Engaging deeply with these topics can help policy teams advocate for the policies that balance sustainability with economic growth.

    Explore Energy and Climate Resources

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    Healthcare

    Healthcare is a critical focus for public policy professionals. Recent debates and legislative changes have affected many hot-button areas, including abortion, the opioid epidemic, and the LGBTQ+ community.

    The evolving policy landscape around abortion requires vigilant monitoring. Both state-level statutes and federal court decisions can influence access to these services. States have varied approaches or stances on the issue, leading to a legislative patchwork.

    Simultaneously, the opioid epidemic continues to challenge policymakers. Leaders must find effective interventions for prevention, treatment, and law enforcement collaboration. These efforts must combine with the goal of curbing misuse and enhancing recovery programs.

    Finally, ensuring equitable healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals remains a pivotal issue. In particular, the rights of transgender individuals is a contentious topic of debate. Policies must address the unique medical needs of LGBTQ+ individuals while also combatting discrimination.

    For policy professionals, these areas demand a strategic approach to advocacy. Public health initiatives and policies must be inclusive and comprehensive.

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    Housing

    Housing policy is a critical domain within public policy. It encompasses a wide range of issues, including:

    • Affordable housing
    • Mortgage costs
    • The landlord-tenant relationship

    Affordable housing is a key concern within the realm of housing policy. Many advocacy efforts aim to ensure that low and middle-income individuals can secure stable and safe accommodations. Further, the rising costs of homeownership and mortgages are also pressing concerns. With current housing costs, many Americans are not able to invest in property.

    Another urgent aspect of housing policy is addressing the needs of the homeless. Robust support systems, including shelters and emergency housing, sustain this effort.

    When it comes to housing, effective policy advocacy requires a deep understanding of economic impacts, community needs, and sustainable development practices. Advocates must ensure that housing remains accessible and equitable for all.

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    Technology and Artificial Intelligence

    The landscape of technology and AI policy is ever-changing. The rapid development and adoption of new technologies contributes to this dynamic. Cryptocurrency and social media platforms like TikTok are current hot-button issues.

    For public policy professionals, understanding new technologies is key. For instance, understanding the implications of cryptocurrency involves navigating its integration into financial systems. Policymakers must also address concerns about security and regulatory compliance.

    Regulating minors’ use of social media is an urgent issue brought to the fore in 2024. Policies must balance safety with freedom of expression and innovation. This topic is a rare bipartisan issue in our current political landscape.

    Next, privacy concerns continue to dominate the tech sector. They’re a key concern for legislators as well. Data protection laws must keep pace with the evolving capabilities of tech companies to collect and use personal information.

    Finally, the regulation of AI presents a complex challenge. It necessitates a framework that can adapt to the fast-evolving nature of AI technologies. Such a framework must also address ethical concerns and societal impacts that dominate the debate over AI.

    For lobbyists and policy teams, these areas are pivotal in shaping a tech landscape that is secure, equitable, and conducive to innovation.

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    Voting and Elections

    The integrity and accessibility of the electoral process remain paramount. The 2020 election highlighted challenges and questions surrounding the security of our democracy. Misinformation also played a key role in the contentious discussion.

    For policy professionals, understanding and addressing these concerns is complex. Policies must safeguard against similar issues in future elections. They must also enhance voter confidence in our electoral system.

    Efforts to improve access to voting are critical in this context. This includes policies that expand the availability and security of absentee ballots. Automatic voter registration is also pertinent to this discussion. These initiatives aim to reduce barriers to participation. They seek to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their rights conveniently and securely.

    Additionally, continued advocacy and legislative action are necessary to modernize electoral systems. Our electoral system must become more resilient against threats. It should also be more responsive to a growing and diversifying electorate. This area requires policy teams and policymakers to strike a careful balance. Policies must enhance accessibility while also maintaining rigorous standards to protect the integrity of every vote.

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    Public Policy Topics You Should Be Monitoring: Six Key Topics

    Keeping a pulse on these six public policy topics is more than a professional duty—it’s a strategic imperative. Each area offers unique challenges and opportunities for meaningful impact. By focusing on these critical issues, policy professionals can:

    • Better anticipate changes
    • Advocate effectively
    • Ensure that their actions align with broader social and economic goals.

    Engaging deeply with these topics will empower policy teams and lobbyists to shape the policy landscape of tomorrow.

    Get Started With Plural

    Plural helps you get and stay ahead in the public policy landscape. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

    Interested in getting started? Create a free account or book a demo today!

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  • What Is Climate Tech?

    What Is Climate Tech?

    As the climate crisis worsens, both the public and private sectors are looking to climate tech to solve it.

    “Climate tech” is a broad term for any technology that can address climate change. It may aim to lower greenhouse gas emissions, remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, or lessen the impacts of climate change. From “superhot rock” energy to 3D-printed meat, new technologies are developed all the time that could fight climate change.

    Governments around the world have been increasing their support and funding for climate tech. In 2022, the United States passed its largest single climate investment to date — the Inflation Reduction Act. This is likely to be a common policy topic as climate urgency grows.

    The Climate Crisis and the Urgency for Climate Tech Solutions

    “Greenhouse gases,” such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap the sun’s heat and warm the Earth. When these gases increase in the atmosphere, the planet gets warmer over time. This long-term shifting of temperatures is known as climate change. The Earth’s climate warms and cools naturally, but the past century has brought sudden and rapid global warming.

    The scientific consensus is that this climate crisis is primarily caused by human activity in the industrial age. Burning fossil fuels like coal and gasoline adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Deforestation has destroyed many trees, which naturally remove carbon dioxide from the air.

    Impacts of climate change include:

    • An increase in extreme weather, like severe storms, droughts, flooding, and heat waves
    • Rising sea levels due to melting ice sheets and glaciers
    • Warming and acidification of oceans
    • Disruption of ecosystems, endangering species
    • Struggles with agriculture and food production

    The United States and most other countries are parties to the Paris Agreement of 2016. The international agreement’s goal is to make sure global average temperatures don’t rise more than 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) above pre-industrial levels. Ideally, warming would be limited to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). This is a “tipping point” that scientists estimate would cause impacts that cannot be reversed.

    To reach either of these goals, the world must work to lower greenhouse gas emissions drastically by 2030. This will be difficult. Action must be quick and impactful. Fortunately, many climate tech solutions have emerged to take on this urgent problem.

    Examples of Climate Tech Solutions

    Climate tech solutions are being developed in many industries.

    Most of the world relies on burning fossil fuels as its largest energy source. Renewable and low-carbon energy sources offer an alternative that can lower emissions. These include hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. New advances in geothermal power could tap into superhot rock energy from deep under the Earth’s surface. In nuclear power, researchers are working on fusion technology that would create less radioactive waste than fission.

    Transportation is a fast-growing source of carbon emissions globally. Electric vehicles and alternative fuels can help lower their environmental impact. “Green hydrogen,” or hydrogen produced using electricity from renewable sources, is a new potential fuel for the transportation industry. It also could replace “grey hydrogen” created with fossil fuels, which is used in several industrial processes.

    Agriculture and food production are another large source of greenhouse gas emissions. Vertical farming lessens land use and would lower emissions if powered by renewable energy. Alternative protein sources can replace some animal products, which have a large carbon footprint. These include plant-based proteins and new technologies like lab-grown meat. Some companies are using these proteins to 3D print cuts of alternative meat that look and feel like the real thing.

    Innovative technologies can remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Carbon capture systems grab carbon dioxide at the point of release. New direct air capture methods can remove it from anywhere.

    Even artificial intelligence can help fight climate change. One AI solution optimizes heating and cooling systems so that homes and businesses use less energy. Another new project uses AI to help farmers figure out exactly how much water, fertilizer, and pesticide they need to use. AI also can help make supply chains more efficient, track and trace emissions, and predict climate change impacts.

    Government Adoption

    Governments play an important role in addressing climate change. Regulation can limit greenhouse gas emissions or the use of materials with a high carbon cost. This kind of lawmaking is not their only tool, though. Governments also can help climate tech move forward.

    First, the public sector can direct funding toward vital research areas. It also can offer tax credits to those who develop and build climate tech solutions, helping the private sector invest in these fields.

    At some point, private companies may run out of money to test new climate technologies in the field or get them to market. Small startups often get early venture capital funds that dry up before they can grow. Governments can bridge this funding gap by investing in climate tech at the early-to-middle stages when it is needed most. They also can adopt climate tech themselves or give incentives for customers to buy it. This creates demand that can lead to wider adoption of a technology.

    The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Climate Tech

    In public-private partnerships, governments work on projects closely with the private sector. A private company may provide the technology and financing needed for a public project. Then the government pays it back through taxes and fees. Montgomery County in Maryland has partnered with a private company on an electric bus system. Cities in other states and countries, like Canada and Chile, also have entered partnerships for electric busing.

    Another example of a partnership is a profit-sharing agreement. In this type of agreement, governments and businesses work together to develop a technology and sell it.

    Governments and private investors also can partner to fund climate projects. The Netherlands has set up a public-private partnership called the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development. This fund invests in projects to both fight and adapt to climate change in developing countries.

    The Inflation Reduction Act and Climate Tech

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest U.S. government legislation to date addressing climate change. Passed in August 2022, it will invest an estimated $369 billion into energy security and climate change.

    The bulk of this funding takes the form of tax credits, which aim to motivate private investment in climate tech. This includes tax incentives for companies that develop technologies, factories that make them, and customers that use them. Individuals can get tax credits for buying electric vehicles, heat pumps, solar panels, home batteries, and more. Power plants can get incentives for installing carbon capture and storage systems. The IRA also offers grant funding, including funds for state and local governments to spend on climate projects.

    It includes investments in many different areas, such as:

    • Direct air capture
    • Renewable energy
    • Nuclear power
    • Sustainable fuel for aviation
    • Green hydrogen
    • Climate-smart agriculture
    • Coastal habitat protection
    • Carbon reduction efforts in disadvantaged communities

    Since the IRA became law, purchases of electric vehicles and solar panels have grown. More investment is going into the manufacturing of these products within the United States. Larger climate tech projects have been slower to start, though. The full impact of the IRA won’t be known until many years into the future.

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  • Freedom To Read Acts: How State Legislators Are Fighting Back Against Book Bans

    Freedom To Read Acts: How State Legislators Are Fighting Back Against Book Bans

    Over the past two years, conservatives have attempted to control curricula and literature in public schools. Pen America has catalogued nearly 6,000 instances of book bans across 41 states. The group noted a sustained focus on banning books written for young adults. Bans targeted books about “difficult” topics, like violence or racism. Books focusing on historically marginalized identities, mainly people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals, were also targeted. It’s clear that discussion of race and gender in schools has become a target for some lawmakers and advocates. Despite this, book bans have been met with significant consternation by many Americans. The American Library Association (ALA) recently found that a significant majority of voters and parent oppose efforts to remove books from school libraries.

    Since 2021, opponents of book bans have fought them at the state and local levels. Recently, opponents of book bans have shifted into the offensive as legislators in many states have filed “Freedom to Read” bills. Across jurisdictions, specific “Freedom to Read” bills vary in scope. Overall, they aim to protect access to materials that may be challenged due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

    Illinois HB 2789

    Illinois was the first state to pass such a law when Governor Pritzker signed HB 2789 in June 2023. HB 2789 requires the State Library officials to adopt the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights across Illinois. Generally, the Library Bill of Rights protects access to challenged literature. Under HB 2789, any Illinois library’s refusal to adopt these policies could result in a loss of state funding.

    States That Have Introduced or Passed “Freedom to Read” Legislation

    Our research team used Plural’s advanced search capabilities to analyze the issue. We found that legislators in 12 states and Congress introduced 19 “Freedom to Read” bills. See the full list here. While Illinois is the only state to have passed this legislation into law, Maryland HB 785 appears close to becoming law.

    At Plural, we use our AI-powered tools to identify legislative trends before they become national news. It can be fascinating to watch these trends develop and see how they motivate new legislative activity. In the case of book banning, increased efforts to challenge books garnered significant attention. This seems to have bolstered the “Freedom to Read” movement. We will continue to monitor these competing trends, and you can too using Plural.

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    States that have introduced “Freedom to Read” legislation are indicated in orange. Illinois, the only state to pass such legislation, is indicated in light blue.

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  • Understanding Illinois’s Proposed Social Media Law with Plural

    Understanding Illinois’s Proposed Social Media Law with Plural

    Our current political landscape is marked by polarization and stagnation in Congress. In this context, it’s become common for highly partisan state governments to push novel legislative proposals. For instance, California has an overwhelming Democratic majority in its state legislature. With this partisan makeup, the legislature has established the strictest data privacy and ESG disclosure laws. Meanwhile, states with large conservative majorities like Alabama and Arkansas have recently leaned further right on abortion and gun laws.

    It can be surprising to see both Republican and Democratic-controlled states moving in the same direction on legislation. But this is exactly what is happening when it comes to regulating children’s social media use. In recent years, many states have acted to regulate or restrict the use of social media by minors. This includes California, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas, among others. Regulating children’s social media use is proving to be a uniting, bipartisan issue.

    Just this week, Governor DeSantis signed Florida HB 3 into law. The new law, passed by Florida’s overwhelmingly Republican legislature, is expected to face legal challenges. If it survives, HB 3 would ban children under 14 from using social media. It would also require parental permission for 15 and 16-year-olds.

    At the same time, Illinois’s Democratic House of Representatives is also advancing a bill that would regulate children’s activity online. HB 5380, known as the Parental Digital Choice Act or Sammy’s Law, advanced out of the House Consumer Protection Committee in mid-March. It is is expected to be voted on by the full House soon. Below, we use Plural’s AI capabilities to better understand HB 5380. How does Illinois HB 5380 fit within the bipartisan trend of regulating children’s social media use?

    Summarizing HB 5380: The Parental Digital Choice Act

    Plural provides access to both source-provided data and insights unlocked by our industry-leading, AI-powered models. As seen below, the AI summary typically adds clarity, context, and readability that can often be missing in source-provided summaries.

    Illinois HB 5380: Source-Provided Summary

    Creates the Let Parents Choose Protection Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as Sammy’s Law. Provides that, before August 1, 2025, or within 30 days after a service becomes a large social media platform after August 1, 2025, a large social media platform provider shall create, maintain, and make available to any third-party safety software provider a set of third-party-accessible real time application programming interfaces, including any information necessary to use the interfaces, by which a child, if the child is 13 years of age or older, or a parent or legal guardian of a child, may delegate permission to the third-party safety software provider to: (1) manage the child’s online interactions, content, and account settings on the large social media platform on the same terms as the child; and (2) initiate secure transfers of user data from the large social media platform in a commonly used and machine-readable format to the third-party safety software provider. Sets forth disclosure requirements to the child and the parents or guardians of a child; requirements of third-party safety software providers; and liability of third-party safety software providers. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective June 1, 2025.

    Illinois HB 5380: Plural AI Summary

    The bill is proposing the following:

    1. Require large social media platforms to provide real-time APIs to authorized third-party safety software providers. This will allow parents/guardians to delegate permission to these providers to manage children’s online interactions and transfer user data.
    2. Define requirements for third-party safety software providers to access the APIs, including:
      • Being solely engaged in Internet safety
      • Only using user data to protect children from harm
      • Only disclosing user data as permitted
      • Disclosing how they operate and collect info to enable informed consent
    3. Provide liability protection for social media platforms that comply with the bill.
    4. Allow the Attorney General to enforce the bill under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
    5. Amend that Act to specify violations of this bill as unlawful practices.
    6. The bill would take effect on June 1, 2025.

    In summary, the key proposals are mandating social media platforms provide access to third-party safety software providers to help parents manage children’s accounts and protect them from harm, with regulations and enforcement mechanisms.

    How Does Illinois HB 5380 Compare to Other State Efforts?

    HB 5380 does not go as far as legislation from other states seeking to implement a firm ban on the use of social media by minors of a certain age. Regardless, there are key similarities. HB 5380 would require social media companies to make significant changes to their platforms. For this reason, social media companies and their coalitions have opposed these efforts. 

    It’s likely that the Illinois House will vote on HB 5380 in April. If successful, it will then pass on to the Senate after that. You can follow upcoming activity on HB 5380 and discover related social media regulation proposals in Plural.

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  • Privacy Regulation in the Digital Age 

    Privacy Regulation in the Digital Age 

    In 2016, researchers on communications and internet policy presented a paper on “the biggest lie on the internet.” The falsehood in question? “I agree to these terms and conditions.”

    The paper made a splash because it confirmed what most of us already knew about how effectively users guard their personal privacy online, albeit in the starkest terms possible. The study demonstrated that when presented with terms of service that would sign away one’s first-born child to an online service provider, 98% of users clicked “yes.” Needless to say, the results inspired little confidence in the state of tech privacy. 

    What is Data Privacy? 

    Though intuitively understood by most people, there is no universal definition for the term “privacy.” Policymakers became particularly aware of this fact in the 1960s. At that time, early computers raised questions about the ethics of centralizing personal information. A legal scholar named Alan Westin set forth the following definition, which remains relatively well accepted:

    Privacy is “the claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.”

    Tech Privacy as a Public Policy Issue

    In today’s terms, policy questions central to tech privacy include:

    • What information can/should internet companies collect about users?
    • Who owns the personal information about an individual? (Read: Who is able to monetize it?)
    • Do users need to consent to the collection and/or sharing of their personal data? If so, what are the criteria for meaningful consent?
    • Can personal data collected in one context be used for an unrelated purpose? 
    • How transparent must tech companies be with users about their business models?
    • How are misuses of data identified? How are laws enforced?
    • What counts as personal data? Do social media posts, location data and/or search engine history?

    Regulating Data Privacy

    Scholars like Westin were only half successful in pushing Congress to protect the “claim” of people to their personal information. The U.S. Privacy Act of 1974, passed in the aftermath of Watergate, imposed limits on how the government could gather, store, and disseminate citizens’ data. For better or worse, no such constraints were applied to the private sector. Decades later, there is still no comprehensive privacy law that governs how personal data is collected or used in the United States. This puts the US in stark contrast with the European Union (EU), which notably enacted its General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, in 2018. 

    Federal-Level: Stagnant Sector-Specific Regulation

    There are limited situations where privacy regulations do exist at the federal level. In these instances, regulations take the form of sector-specific laws which impose requirements on organizations that meet certain criteria. Some examples include:

    • HIPAA for healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and healthcare clearinghouses
    • GLBA for financial institutions, including businesses that provide financial products or services to consumers
    • FERPA for all K-12 schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funds

    In today’s data economy, the piecemeal approach to privacy leaves many gaps in consumer protection unaddressed. Entities that fall outside the definition of “covered entity” specified by regulators can largely do what they want with consumer data. Health and wellness apps demonstrate this discrepancy. Although products like fertility monitors, weight loss trackers, and  cognitive behavioral therapy journals all collect medical information from individual users, they are not subject to HIPAA.

    As the shortcomings of sector-specific laws have grown clearer, the pressure for policymakers to act has intensified. Over the last five years, the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have both made repeated calls for Congress to enact comprehensive privacy legislation. The FTC in particular has repeatedly cited the failure of their fines in curbing the behavior of the largest tech companies, given how readily they can withstand billion-dollar penalties.  

    State-Level: Taking the Lead on Comprehensive Privacy Laws

    In the last three years, local jurisdictions across the US have signaled that they will no longer wait patiently for federal leadership on privacy regulation. Many states have begun experimenting with different approaches to tech privacy, creating a patchwork of emergent laws for companies to navigate.

    As of March 2024, fourteen states have enacted comprehensive privacy laws. There are five currently in effect in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia. By early 2025, seven more will become enforceable in Delaware, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Texas.

    The sudden onslaught of new privacy laws may seem daunting for businesses seeking to ensure their compliance. However, upon closer inspection, most jurisdictions are following a similar script.

    Broadly, there are two mechanisms of action for any privacy regulation: guaranteeing certain rights for individual users and requiring particular actions from tech companies. So far, most states have opted to combine aspects of these approaches in rather similar ways. 

    Generally, consumers are expected to be empowered to access, correct, delete, and opt-out of the sale of their data. Tech companies, on the other hand, are required to disclose the information they collect about users. They are also expected to provide pathways for consumers to exercise their data protection rights. 

    Where state privacy laws differ, the disparities relate to scope and enforcement.

    Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)

    Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) is considered by many privacy advocates to be a relatively lax and limited approach to regulation. The legislation does provide consumers with the rights to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their personal data. However, the definition of “personal data” under VCDPA is rather dramatically narrowed by excluding “any information a business has reasonable grounds to believe falls within the public domain.” Given this definition, the VCDPA considers a person’s social media posts, for example, as fair game.

    Additionally, the VDCPA does not include any private right of action to individual users. This leaves the responsibility of law enforcement solely to the attorney general. Virginia’s approach to tech privacy also includes exemptions for financial institutions, entities covered by HIPAA, nonprofits, and colleges and universities.

    California’s Consumer Protection Act (CCPA)

    By contrast, California’s Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) is more robust. For example, the legislation offers greater specificity regarding the structure and contents of privacy policies, as well as the procedures through which users may notice, access, delete, and opt-out of the sale of their personal data. Further, CCPA  grants a private right of action to consumers who believe tech companies have broken the law in certain circumstances, making California the only state to offer such a provision. 

    CCPA has also set a precedent by seeking to fill some of the gaps created by the federal government’s approach to regulating privacy based on “covered entities.” Rather than granting exemptions for entire categories of organizations, California’s statute limits exemptions to particular data types. So, while a hospital system might not have to worry about CCPA requirements for its HIPAA-protected patient files, such a loophole would not apply to the other types of information it collects. 

    What Is on the Horizon for Tech Privacy Policy?

    For now, California has the toughest approach to privacy policy in the US. Other states are in the process of proposing stricter privacy laws. The Maine legislature is currently considering two competing bills: the Maine Consumer Privacy Act (MCPA) and the Data Privacy and Protection Act (DPPA). While the former is closely aligned with states like Virginia, the latter would introduce compliance dimensions that are unprecedented in any US jurisdiction. Notably, the DPPA includes “data minimization” requirements, which present a challenge to the fundamental business models of many of the largest tech companies.

    Policies like Maine’s DPPA would have likely been dismissed as completely untenable a few years ago. However, recent developments suggest that it might be time for change in the internet economy. Even in the absence of regulatory pressure, businesses are feeling the negative effects of amassing troves of personal data. In 2022, over 80% of organizations suffered a data breach. It’s projected that by 2025, cybercrime will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually. Users are also becoming less tolerant of companies that fail to take their privacy concerns seriously — 65% of consumers have indicated that “misuse of personal data” is the top reason they would lose trust in a brand. 

    Of course, the same factors encouraging states like Maine and California to push the envelope may also move the needle in Congress. In 2022, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce with near unanimity. The ADPPA represented the most promising effort to regulate federal consumer data privacy to date. Opinions vary on prospects for the legislation in 2024, with a main point of contention being whether the statute will effectively undo stricter state privacy laws. 

    Monitor Tech Privacy Policy With Plural

    Plural is the legislative tracking tool of choice for policy teams seeking to monitor tech privacy policy. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

    Create a free account or book a demo today!

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  • How New Voting Laws are Impacting the 2024 Elections: A State-by-State Guide

    How New Voting Laws are Impacting the 2024 Elections: A State-by-State Guide

    The 2024 presidential election is right around the corner. In the lead-up to the election, understanding that voting laws vary state-by-state is crucial. This guide offers a concise overview of the evolving landscape of election regulations.

    Each state’s unique approach to elections shapes the democratic process. Between factors like mail-in-voting and voter ID requirements, navigating voting laws is complicated. What’s more, the 2020 election raised concerns over election integrity and the security of our democracy. Heightened scrutiny on absentee and provisional ballots led many legislators to seek to modify our election process. As a response, voting rights advocates aim to break down barriers to voting.

    What’s the status of new voting laws, and how will they impact the 2024 elections? This guide aims to help Americans navigate and understand the upcoming election.

    Election Controversy in 2020

    The 2020 presidential election was marked by confusion and controversy. Following his loss, former President Donald Trump questioned the accuracy of the election. There was surprise among election experts and citizens alike that historically Republican states like Arizona and Georgia went blue. This unprecedented outcome, paired with Trump’s claims, led to a slew of recounts, lawsuits, and calls of fraudulence. 

    Scrutiny and public outcry, though largely unfounded, sowed widespread concern and unrest. On January 6, 2021, then-President Trump hosted a rally in front of the White House. On that day, Congress was set to verify the results of the 2020 election. This gathering quickly became what is now known as the “January 6th Insurrection.” Thousands of rally attendees approached the Capitol and broke into the building, killing five and leaving 174 injured.

    Since the 2020 election, lawsuits on election interference have mostly been settled. Each recount returned without evidence of fraud or election interference. Though these outcomes are positive news regarding the security of our democracy, high levels of distrust remain.

    New Voting Laws in 2024

    Election laws have been a significant focus of legislative action in the United States since the 2020 and 2022 elections. As of the fall of 2023, 14 states have enacted laws that decrease access to voting. On the other side of the issue, 23 states have enacted laws that expand access to voting. All of these bills will be in effect during the 2024 general election. 

    Efforts to Expand Access to Voting

    In 2024, 23 states enacted expansive voting laws, including Michigan, New York, Nevada, and Connecticut, among others. Learn more about new voting laws passed in these states below.

    Michigan SB 367, SB 370, HB 4697, and SB 373

    The Michigan legislature passed SB 367, SB 370, HB 4697, and SB 373 as part of a comprehensive “democracy reform” package. As part of the package, SB 367 expands access to nine days of early voting. The next bill, SB 370 provides an easier process to vote by mail. HB 4697 allows for increased access to drop boxes. Finally, SB 373 sets forth a more expansive list of accepted identifications. 

    New York A 4009, S 1733, and S 5984

    In New York, the state legislature passed A 4009, S 1733, and S 5984 in an effort to expand voting access through various avenues. A 4009 requires correctional facilities to provide voter registration forms to formerly incarcerated people. Next, S 1733 requires high schools to provide voter registration forms to students. Finally, S 5984 allows citizens to register to vote closer to election days.

    Nevada SB 327, SB 216, and AB 286

    The Nevada legislature passed SB 327, SB 216, and AB 286. The laws make it easier for certain historically disadvantaged populations to vote. In particular, SB 327 and SB 216 make it easier to vote on Native Reservations. In addition, AB 286 makes it easier for incarcerated individuals to vote from jail.The new laws also increase accommodations for people with disabilities to exercise their right to vote.

    Connecticut SB 1226

    Finally, the Connecticut state legislature became the sixth state to enact a Voting Rights Act with SB 1226. This came as a result of recent Supreme Court decisions regarding voting. It was an attempt to ensure the discrimination protections provided by the Voting Rights Act are enshrined in state law. Under the new law, municipalities with a history of discriminatory practices are subject to enhanced oversight. The law also created a higher threshold of protection against voter intimidation in the state.

    Efforts to Restrict Access to Voting

    In 2024, 14 states enacted laws restricting voting rights and access, including Nebraska, Mississippi, and Texas, among others. Learn more about new voting laws passed in these states below.

    Nebraska LB 514

    The Nebraska legislature adopted LB 514. The new law requires all mail-in ballot voters without a Nebraska ID to mail in a copy of an approved photo ID alongside their ballot. There are few expectations to this rule, of which do not include the inability to access a printer or photocopier. Therefore, the new law may prevent voters from casting their ballot if they cannot access a printer. 

    Mississippi SB 2358

    In Mississippi, the state legislature passed SB 2358. Under the new law, anyone who is not an election official, postal worker, family member, household member, or caregiver and assists a voter with turning in their ballot will receive criminal penalties. Voting rights advocates argue that the new law will make it more difficult for people with disabilities to vote by mail.

    Texas SB 924

    The Texas legislature passed SB 924, which will allow counties to consolidate polling locations. The new law increases the likelihood of long wait times for voters. It may also require voters to travel a further distance in order to reach their appropriate polling location.

    Overall, the most common forms of restrictive voting legislation include:

    • Curbing access to mail-in voting
    • Increasing voter ID requirements
    • Banning the use of ballot-drop boxes.

    It’s been proven that access to mail-in voting, ballot drop boxes, and less stringent voter ID laws make voting more accessible to low-income or otherwise disadvantaged Americans.

    Implications for the 2024 Elections

    Elections immensely impact economic, social, and political issues throughout the country. Presidential elections only increase these implications, since it’s possible that the entire Executive Branch will be transformed and guided by new priorities, strategies, and goals. Evaluating these implications is a key step in determining which candidate to vote for. Below, we summarize some of the economic, social, and political issues that the 2024 presidential election will impact.

    Economic Implications of the 2024 Election

    The Biden and Trump Administrations have very different strategies on key economic issues. Key economic issues include inflation, taxes, and corporate responsibility. The differences in these policies are crucial — they have a direct impact on job creation, the income of families, and the stability of the economy. Economic issues will play a major role in shaping how voters decide, reflecting what’s best for their own and their community’s financial health.

    Social Implications of the 2024 Election

    The 2024 election is generating significant discussion, especially when it comes to social topics. Biden and Trump have vastly different views on many social issues. They disagree on key issues like abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, affirmative action, and climate change. Social issues go beyond politics; they touch everyday life. Social issues will play a significant role in the 2024 election, as voters weigh the candidates based on their own values.

    Political Implications of the 2024 Election

    In the political arena, the outcome of the 2024 election holds significant consequences for the opposing party. The landscape of bipartisanship has grown increasingly fraught in recent years. Consequently, navigating a divided government poses considerable challenges in advancing policy initiatives. The election results could substantially influence the legislative process.

    Check Your Voter Registration and Make a Plan to Vote

    Ensuring you are registered to vote can be a complicated process. This is especially true if you are new to voting, have recently moved, or recently obtained citizenship. The best way to check your voter registration status within your state is through the U.S. government voter registration website. You’ll be directed to your state’s voter registration status website based on your address and information. 

    Many states have voter registration deadlines of 15+ days prior to the election. This means you must be registered and confirmed prior to that deadline in order to vote in the election. Further, if you have recently moved, even within the same state or district, you must update your voter registration status with your state. Many states allow voters to provide this update electronically. These rules apply to general elections, special elections, and primary elections throughout the United States.  

    Different voting methods will require a more detailed plan that differentiates between states. See our tips below. 

    In-Person Voting

    Voting in-person means you have ensured you are registered to vote within your state. If you’re voting in-person, you’ll be notified of your polling location to cast your ballot. 

    Before arriving to vote, be sure to double check your polling location for each election. It’s not uncommon that a polling location will have moved from the last election due to staffing issues, or space availability. 

    Absentee Ballot

    Absentee ballots are similar to vote-by-mail ballots in that you are able to send in your ballot through mail. There are a few circumstances in which voting through an absentee ballot are accepted. These include if you are out of state during the election or if you are military personnel and currently abroad, or on an out-of-state military base, among others. Many states require absentee voters to provide a credible reason for their need to vote in this way.

    Follow this link to find out if your state allows you to vote via an absentee ballot. 

    Mail-In Ballot

    Mail-in ballots are official programs implemented by state governments allowing people to vote by mail in any election. When voting with a mail-in ballot, voters won’t be required to provide justification as to why they are not voting in-person.

    Vote-by-mail programs have seen increases in voter turnout. They provide voters with the flexibility of mailing their ballot weeks or days ahead of the election. Vote-by-mail programs allow voters with inflexible responsibilities to vote when it works best for them.  

    Provisional Ballot

    Provisional ballots are available for people whose names do not appear on the voter registration list at the precinct. Sometimes this is the result of a mistake — the individual either appeared at the wrong precinct, or thought they were registered to vote but did not complete their registration. In these situations, the individual may cast a provisional ballot. The Registrar’s office will confirm that the individual is able to vote in the election.

    Get Started With Plural to Monitor New Voting Laws in 2024

    The 2024 elections are right around the corner — are you prepared and informed on new voting laws? Plural is the policy tracking tool of choice for those looking to monitor new voting laws in 2024. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

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  • Chaplains in Schools: The Next Fight in the Education Wars?

    Chaplains in Schools: The Next Fight in the Education Wars?

    Education is always a central focus for state legislators. Debates over teacher pay and school funding have dominated statehouses for decades. In recent years, education policy debates in the states has shifted away from funding. Now, legislators are focusing on battles over curricula, staffing, and school environments.

    At Plural, we’ve followed these issues closely. We’ve covered legislation impacting race and education and legislation impacting transgender and nonbinary kids in school. We know that the results of this policy shift have been profound. The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida and advised black student-athletes against enrolling in the state. Across the country, book bans and challenges have surged, and school board meetings have become increasingly combative. 

    The most recent policy proposal to emerge from this trend has involved authorizing school districts to bring chaplains into schools. Texas Senate Bill 763, which became law in June of 2023, is one example of such efforts. The new law allows Texas public school districts to employ or otherwise allow volunteer chaplains to provide services in schools.

    The law has faced strong opposition, including from chaplains themselves. Despite this, it has sparked efforts in other states to incorporate chaplains into public school resources. Utah, Alabama, Nebraska, and Georgia are among the states to have considered similar proposals. Florida’s legislature just passed its “school chaplain” bill onto Governor DeSantis’ desk.

    What Would Florida’s School Chaplain Bill Do?

    Florida’s legislature passed HB 931 on March 7, 2024. Governor DeSantis will soon decide whether to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. HB 931 closely mirrors the Texas law, as well as many of the bills being considered elsewhere. It would allow school districts to adopt policies authorizing volunteer chaplains to provide support, services, and programs in public schools.

    Under HB 931, the districts’ policies must clearly define the chaplain’s role. Parents must be informed of and consent to any services provided by chaplains. Like other school employees, volunteer chaplains will be required to pass background checks.

    Summarizing Florida HB 931 With Plural’s AI-Powered Bill Summarizer

    Plural’s AI-powered bill summarizer generated the following summary of Florida HB 931. Plural distilled hundreds of words into the following summary:

    The bill is proposing to allow school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy authorizing volunteer school chaplains. If adopted, the policy must:

    1) Describe the supports, services, and programs the chaplains may provide.

    2) Require schools to inform parents about the availability of chaplains.

    3) Require written parental consent for students to participate in chaplain services. Parents can select chaplains from a list that includes religious affiliation.

    The bill also requires chaplains to meet background screening requirements. School boards and charter schools must vote by January 1, 2025 on whether to adopt such a policy. Districts that adopt the policy must publish a list of chaplains on their website.

    The bill is amending existing law to subject chaplains to the same background screening as other noninstructional personnel.

    In summary, the bill proposes allowing volunteer school chaplains and establishes requirements around policy adoption, parental consent, and background screening.

    Analyzing Florida HB 931’s Version-to-Version Summary

    The final version of the bill contains notable differences from the introduced version of Florida HB 931. Plural’s AI-powered version-to-version summarizer provides the following overview:

    Differences in Proposed Changes: 1) The previous version requires a vote by January 1, 2025, on adopting a chaplain policy, which is not mentioned in the new version. 2) The previous version specifies that only school districts must publish the list of chaplains, while the new version requires both school districts and charter schools to publish the list.

    Plural’s AI-generated summary highlights a few notable differences. The filed version of the bill excludes the requirement for a vote on the chaplain policy. This is particularly notable, since Texas legislators included a similar provision in their law. With this exclusion, Florida legislators may be attempting to avoid political backlash — many of Texas’ largest school districts recently rejected chaplain programs. 

    How are Education Advocates Reacting to School Chaplain Proposals?

    Proponents of these efforts include conservative and religious groups. Education policy issues of this nature tend to fall along predictable partisan divides. However, it’s notable that five House Democrats in Florida voted in support of HB 931.

    Advocates for these measures include the National School Chaplain Association, a Christian ministry aiming to serve spiritual needs in schools. Supporters argue that chaplains can play a role in meeting growing mental health needs and improving school safety. 

    Opponents include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and many chaplains themselves. They raise the uncertain constitutionality of these issues, questioning whether they violate separation of church and state. Many opponents have also noted that chaplains are already eligible to volunteer in schools, but counseling and behavioral health support should be left to trained professionals.

    Where do School Chaplain Bills Go From Here?

    More than a dozen states have considered school chaplain proposals. These efforts have stalled in most states. In Utah, state senators narrowly rejected a school chaplain bill prior to the end of their 2024 legislative session.

    In states that do pass bills, it will take some time before new policies take effect. When they do, proponents and opponents alike will certainly be watching their impact. It’s likely that more school chaplain bills to be taken up in 2025. Legislators will look to the experiences of early adopters to formulate their arguments. 

    In an unexpected twist for advocates of school chaplain bills, the Satanic Temple has voiced its support. The Satanic Temple does not actually worship Satan, but rather advocates for first amendment rights and religious freedoms. The organization has indicated its interest in participating in school chaplain programs in Florida, Iowa, and Utah.

    It’s not hard to imagine how school chaplain policies could quickly lead to litigation and controversy. At Plural, we’re committed to monitoring the newsworthy issues that impact Americans. Stay tuned for more!

    Get Started With Plural

    Plural is the legislative tracking tool of choice for policy teams monitoring issues related to education. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

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  • Is Congress About to Ban TikTok?

    Is Congress About to Ban TikTok?

    Is a TikTok ban imminent? While TikTok’s virality may still feel novel, official U.S. concern over the app surfaced almost five years ago. On March 13, the House passed HR. 7521. The bill now heads to the Senate with many more eyes tracking its progress.

    The federal legislative process has always been opaque, and therefore difficult for ordinary citizens to follow and connect with. This is, after all, a driving force behind the creation of Plural as a source of open public policy data. The journey from an idea to an enacted law is far more complex than Schoolhouse Rock made it seem. This legislative process can often take years. The ongoing congressional battle over TikTok encapsulates this halting, confusing path. The recent passage of H.R. 7521 out of the House took many by surprise and has users of the app wondering how we got here.

    While TikTok’s virality may still feel novel, official U.S. concern over the app surfaced almost five years ago. At that time, the FBI and military leaders cited national security risks related to the app. ByteDance, the company that develops and owns TikTok, has a close relationship with the Chinese government. The Trump administration then pressured TikTok to agree to host all of its U.S. user data under Oracle’s infrastructure. 

    Despite this move to protect user data, lawmakers were still eager to act on TikTok. Beginning in 2022, we saw a wave of state legislation aimed at banning TikTok. Most of these bills, like Texas’ SB 1893, sought to ban the use of TikTok by government officials and on government devices. The Biden administration followed a similar path by banning the use of TikTok on federal devices. Montana’s SB 419, enacted in May 2023, went a step further. The new law banned the use of TikTok by anyone in Montana. A federal judge later blocked this ban before it went into effect. 

    After years of debate, Congress wanted to go further. After being introduced on March 5, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HR. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, on March 13. The bill now heads to the Senate with many more eyes tracking its progress.

    What would H.R. 7521 do?

    H.R. 7521 would prohibit companies from providing distribution or hosting services to “foreign adversary-controlled applications.” This would force companies like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores. It would also prevent internet service providers from supporting access to the application. The bill narrowly defines “foreign adversary-controlled applications” to apply to TikTok. However, it does provide an avenue for other applications to be banned in this way. 

    The bill doesn’t include penalties for individual users of TikTok, and it wouldn’t remove TikTok from anyone’s phone. But, without web hosting services or the support of app distributors like Apple and Google, the application would quickly become buggy and unusable.

    The bill also provides an exemption for certain action taken by ByteDance. If ByteDance divests from TikTok within 165 days of enactment, application support would not be banned. In short, the bill gives ByteDance 165 days to sell TikTok, or be banned from the U.S. 

    So – Is a TikTok Ban Imminent?

    H.R. 7521 passed out of the House by a wide margin and President Biden has signaled he will sign it if it reaches his desk. However, there are still many barriers between where we stand on March 15th and a TikTok ban. 

    First, the House vote caught many by surprise, in part because the bill moved so quickly from introduction to passage. The reaction to the House vote has ensured that any debate on this bill in the Senate will be met with significant attention from all sides. This additional attention may not change any vote, but it will certainly slow down the process. 

    Second, even if the bill does pass, its divestment exemption provisions pave the way for TikTok to stay usable in the U.S., as long as ByteDance is willing to sell the application. A sale could be complicated by a lack of willingness to sell from ByteDance or anti-trust concerns here in the U.S. 

    Finally, even if the bill does successfully pass, its enactment would be swiftly followed by litigation from ByteDance and others. ByteDance has hinted that they would continue their fight in the courts if H.R. 7521 passes. The American Civil Liberties Union is also organizing opposition to H.R. 7521. It would likely support legal challenges to the law, among many other groups.

    Taken together, these obstacles will slow the momentum of this past week. While a TikTok ban might feel imminent, it’s unlikely that any enforcement of the bill, if passed, would begin before the end of 2024. There remain many hurdles to pass before H.R. 7521 becomes law.

    Get Started With Plural

    Plural is the legislative tracking tool of choice for policy teams looking to gain greater insights into the policies that matter. With Plural, you’ll:

    • Access superior public policy data 
    • Be the first to know about new bills and changes in bill status
    • Streamline your day with seamless organization features
    • Harness the power of time-saving AI tools to gain insights into individual bills and the entire legislative landscape
    • Keep everyone on the same page with internal collaboration and external reporting all in one place

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