Students will identify one key piece of the legislation that is currently making its way 

through a state legislative process in California as well as many other states, but that
has not yet passed or been enacted (Active) . California, as well as many other states
maintain websites that follow proposed bills throughout the legislative process. You are
to locate one bill during the current academic year.
Students should select a bill that has been proposed in response to a perceived public
health issue and write a  paper which
includes the following:
DIRECTIONS & GRADING OF FINAL PAPERS:
• Overview of the health problem: An overview of the public health problem to be
addressed. Discuss the severity of the problem and number of people affected by
it and by the proposed bill
• Severity of the health problem: Discuss the research & the background in
relation to the health problem. Is there consensus among researchers regarding
its severity and how-to best deal with it? What would realistically happen if no
intervention was implemented. Please make sure to cite all references to support
the stated statistics and data.  
 

• Overview of the bill and Stakeholders: An overview of the proposed bill in
terms of its specific provisions. Do not just discuss what the promoters promise
and what will be accomplished. Make sure to read the fine print and see exactly
what the bill will do. Describe who the stakeholders are that who  are affected in
any way by this bill.
• Promises/Expected Outcomes:  Who are the promoters of the bill? Describe
what the promoters of the bill believe that the bill will accomplish. Make sure to
discuss what specific health outcomes the promoters state will occur if the bill is
passed.
• Problems: Describe what individuals or groups are opposed to the bill and why
they are opposed. Make sure to research special interest groups such as 

professional trade associations, industry groups, etc. to explore the types of 

lobbying efforts they are undertaking with respect to the bill. (15 points)
• Unintended Consequences: Describe what unintended consequence(s) could
arise resulting from passage of this bill. In this section you should discuss
unanticipated outcomes or results that could have a negative impact (go wrong) if
the bill was passed.
• Recommendations: What is your recommendation regarding this bill. Make sure
to support your opinion with facts and with reference to class readings & other
references.