2023 Lab State Legislative Session in Review
As the 2023 state legislative session has come to a close in most states, we are pleased to share a recap of the Lab’s accomplishments – and challenges – on the ground. It was an incredibly busy year in state legislatures on our issues nationwide, with a record-breaking number of pro-refugee measures introduced (187 measures introduced in 35 states) and an increase in bipartisan support – and sponsorship – of inclusive legislation. At the same time, however, the number of anti-refugee and anti-asylum measures doubled between 2022 and 2023, a concerning trend as we move into an election year when views typically become more polarized.
In Lab states, we saw these dynamics play out, with several significant wins supported by champions on both sides of the aisle, as well as some barriers to our efforts. We will take these lessons into account as we plan for 2024 and continue to cultivate critical bipartisan relationships at a time of deepening polarization.
Colorado
This year in Colorado, the Lab supported the final step in the creation of the Office of New Americans – a process we began two years ago when legislation creating the office was passed. This year, the Lab State Lead supported the drafting, introduction, and passage of H.B.23-1283, which moved the State Refugee Coordinator’s Office into the Office of New Americans and under the Department of Labor. This will streamline reporting, budget processes, and associated timelines for the state’s work welcoming refugees and other newcomers.
In addition, the State Lead supported the passage of several bills including H.B.23-1004, which improves language accessibility for accessing insurance documents; H.B.23-1117, which reduces barriers for sponsored individuals to receive access to public services or medical assistance; and S.B.23-0017, which funds adult education and literacy programs participating in workforce development partnerships and enables individuals to acquire workforce skills without the assumption that individuals have attained a basic level of literacy, digital literacy, or numeracy.
Continuing our commitment to engage impacted communities in driving policy and advocacy activities, the State Lead organized the largest-to-date gathering of refugee leaders in the state capital with over 100 attendees who participated in 24 meetings with bipartisan legislators. The Advocacy Day participants were welcomed and recognized by Representative Iman Jodeh in the House Gallery.
Georgia
The 2023 session saw significant advances in Georgia, both in the legislature and administratively, with the State Lead supporting a record number of bipartisan pro-refugee bills introduced, and significant movement towards reducing barriers to accessing mental health services.
Ahead of the state session, the State Lead, in collaboration with the Business and Immigration in Georgia (BIG) Partnership, convened state legislators, refugee leaders, and local business leaders to discuss how critical global talent is for the future of the state’s economy. This gathering highlighted some of the local workforce shortages, the challenges that internationally trained professionals encounter in their efforts to re-credential in the state, and opportunities to ensure Georgia is maximizing immigrant and refugee talent.
Shortly after, Governor Kemp released the 2023 Report of the Governor’s Behavioral Health and Innovation Commission. This report included an endorsement of licensing reform for foreign trained mental health professionals, a recommendation that came directly from the State Lead and BIG Partnership. Building on that, the Georgia Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (GBHPAC) agreed to create a new Diversity Committee, which will advise the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) on how to use SAMHSA block grants to address the mental health needs of the immigrant and refugee community, an advocacy priority of the Lab State Lead.
The start of the state session saw the introduction of key pieces of legislation that would reduce barriers to the workforce and increase access to in-state tuition. S.B.246 is a bipartisan measure that would provide in-state tuition upon arrival to refugees, SIVs, and all humanitarian parolees. Although it didn’t advance, it will be championed again next session with a strong bipartisan mix of cosponsors. Conversations with the Georgia Board of Regents continue while we wait for this legislation to advance alongside a House companion bill.
State session activity also included the annual Georgia Loves Refugees Advocacy Day. Governor Kemp participated, and the introduction of H.R.147, a resolution recognizing February 14, 2023, as New Americans Day at the state capitol, marked the occasion.
Kansas
In partnership with the IRC Wichita, the Lab secured Republican sponsorship of S.B.109, legislation that would offer refugees and SIVs access to in-state tuition rates at Kansas state universities. While the effort was supported by members of the business community and educational institutions and associations, we were forced to make the difficult decision not to push to advance the legislation at the risk of this measure being used as a vehicle to restrict access to in-state tuition for DACA recipients.
In addition to the legislation, the State Lead organized a Refugee Advocacy Day in Topeka with all four resettlement agencies traveling from the four corners of the state to participate. Participants met with 14 state legislators and participated in a legislative briefing in the afternoon. Participants also met with Governor Kelly and discussed ways that refugees and other new Americans could help to meet critical workforce needs if barriers to licensing were reduced. That meeting has led to ongoing conversations to assess any regulatory changes that can be made to reduce barriers to entry for those with international medical licensing.
Michigan
It is an exciting year for state level activity in Michigan, where the state session works on a full calendar year, so some of the legislative activity is ongoing and will conclude in the coming weeks.
First, the state passed a licensing measure, S.B.0161, which provides an alternative pathway to certification for teachers and administrators, enabling those with training and expertise to more rapidly return to the classroom and help the state address a critical job shortage.
We also worked closely with a new network of partners from across the state – the New Americans Fund Coalition – to advance a budgetary measure. The coalition was able to secure $10 million in state budget resources with $5 million earmarked for Global Detroit and another $2 million earmarked for youth programming in the state. An additional, $3 million was allocated for the Office of Global Michigan to create a “New Michiganders Fund to provide legal services, housing supports, staffing, and outreach to foreign-born noncitizens.”
In addition to engaging legislators, the State Lead organized the Michigan Immigrant Youth Conference on June 24, bringing together more than 170 people for a day of learning and idea exchange on advocacy so that immigrant and refugee youth can live to their fullest potential. The conference featured workshops and panels on immigration policy, advocacy, education, and more.
Nevada
Following an expressed interest in Colorado’s 2023 International Medical Graduate (IMG) legislation, this year the Lab State Lead worked with a Nevada legislator to prepare language for S.B.204, which would provide for the limited licensure of certain graduates of foreign medical schools. Unfortunately, because of the direction the legislation took to add the creation of an assistant physician pathway and a subsequent $20 million fiscal note, the legislation was unable to advance.
Oregon
Almost a dozen bills were introduced in Oregon this session to support refugees and refugee integration into the community. Several aimed to set aside state funding for case management, legal services, and other support measures. Among them was S.B.5506, which secured enough support for inclusion in the state budget. This measure provides wrap-around services for asylum seekers, extends funding to support Afghan parolees for another two years, and includes an $8 million investment in immigration legal services.
Education was another key focus for legislators in the state of Oregon this year. Lab partner Ecumentical Ministries of Oregon provided hearing testimony and organized support for S.B.940 to create a study to identify ways of improving the process for transferring high school credits from other countries. This measure is modeled off of legislation that the Lab advanced in Utah during the 2022 state session.
As with many other states, Oregon looked at their untapped talent as a potential solution for a critical workforce shortage, passing H.B.2504, which reduces barriers to credentialing for those trained in early childhood education.
Utah
Kicking off the state session in January, the Lab State Lead organized a legislative briefing where legislators had a chance to hear from resettlement agencies and impacted community members about some of the measures pending in session, including two driven by the Lab.
This included H.B.102, which the State Lead worked closely on with Representative Jordan Teuscher and, when passed, became the most inclusive in-state tuition policy to be introduced in any state in the country, offering in-state tuition access to refugee, SIVs, TPS holders, asylees, and asylum seekers. Dozens of impacted individuals offered hearing testimony to contextualize how this bill would directly affect their lives and the lives they hope to lead in Utah.
In addition, the State Lead also led efforts on H.B.154 to ensure schools receive the funding needed to support their multilingual students and families with language access services. We successfully increased the appropriation from $3 million to $5 million.
As state session concluded, Lab staff participated in the Northern Utah New Americans Symposium. In a conversation moderated by Natalie El-Deiry, Director of the Governor’s Office for Immigration and Integration, and with DHS Assistant Secretary Eva Millona, the Lab’s State Lead discussed the ways states influence federal policy, best practices we championed in Utah that can be utilized more broadly across the country and states, and the importance of integration policies in states.
Virginia
The Virginia legislative session was a brief but busy one this year. In January, the Lab State Lead organized an Advocacy Day in Richmond and meeting participants indicated support for several bills. This included H.B.2211, which successfully passed and was signed into law. The bill eases the barriers internationally trained nurses face to practice their profession in Virginia. Champions also advocated for H.B.1824 and S.B.1118 to create an incentive program for obtaining an endorsement in English as a second language, similar to Virginia’s existing National Board Certification incentives, which would boost the number of Virginia teachers who have the skills to help English language students succeed. This legislation did not survive in the House of Delegates.
The Lab also supported H.B.1823 and S.B.1109, which would have provided support for English language students who enroll in career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs, dual enrollment and AP courses, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs. These bills also would have provided instructors with professional development in effective education of English language students, and would help make sure English language students have meaningful access to these important programs. Unfortunately this legislation did not survive in the House of Delegates. As we prepare for the 2024 legislative session, the Lab will strategize on the best way to continue to advance these efforts.
The work of the Lab is strengthened by the incredible network of national and community partners who drive our efforts, and specifically our Lab State partners at the IRC, Church World Service, the Center for Victims of Torture, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. We look forward to coordinating closely with allies in the year to come as we define our strategy and ambitions for 2024 and beyond.