NS Parliament RP [OOC/OPEN]

[Jack Belcher]

Nation Name: Jack Belcher
History of Warnings, Bans, etc: None
Character Name (Optional, Add Full Profile In Database): Jack Belcher
Party (choose from existing parties or create one with the party application): Independent

[Sensorland]

Nation Name: Sensorland
History of Warnings, Bans, etc: N/A
Character Name (Optional, Add Full Profile In Database): Matthias Holm
Party (choose from existing parties or create one with the party application): Social Liberal Party-The Radicals

[Yaruqo]

Nation Name: Yaruqo
History of Warnings, Bans, etc: Previously played as a number of nations over the years (Osthia, Kraciva, Argentarino, Meliougi for a spell). I don't recall getting banned or subject to any warnings, either.
Character Name: TBD
Party (choose from existing parties or create one with the party application): Social Democratic Party

[New Lindale]

Amednment to the Charities Protection Act
Author: Stefan Almeda

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Additional Protections to Charties

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

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§1 - First Section Name

1. 2b is to be altered and read as the following
2. Once registered, no organisation may intentionally or through neglegiance violate the requirements in section 3
3. Section 3C is to be added and read as the following
4. Violation of these requirements shall result in $100,000 fine as well as up to 5-20 years in prison

[Merni]

Please correct "negliably" (non-existent word) to "through negligence"

[Martune]

It was going to be inevitable, but I just didn't know when I'd be leaving.

I am positive that I will be leaving NS as a whole completely. I have no time for it nor the drive anymore. It used to be that I couldn't help but log on and see what was happening but now I just can't find any urge to get on anymore. And I won't be leaving out of spite nor hatred of anyone. This is purely my life progressing in a way that necessitates me dropping the site from my schedule.

So take this post as my resignation this SIM, my ADMIN role, and NS in general. It's been a great time and I have had great times. But, I have to go. This time for good.

To those who care, thank you for caring. To those who don't, I still appreciate you being a part of my NS experience. I've learned some things, grown, and enjoyed my time here.

Goodbye.

[Agarntrop]

It was going to be inevitable, but I just didn't know when I'd be leaving.

I am positive that I will be leaving NS as a whole completely. I have no time for it nor the drive anymore. It used to be that I couldn't help but log on and see what was happening but now I just can't find any urge to get on anymore. And I won't be leaving out of spite nor hatred of anyone. This is purely my life progressing in a way that necessitates me dropping the site from my schedule.

So take this post as my resignation this SIM, my ADMIN role, and NS in general. It's been a great time and I have had great times. But, I have to go. This time for good.

To those who care, thank you for caring. To those who don't, I still appreciate you being a part of my NS experience. I've learned some things, grown, and enjoyed my time here.

Goodbye.

drama drama drama

[Agarntrop]

Second Amendment to the Universal Rights Act
Author: James Penta. Sponsors: Stephan Almeda

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---

A bill to reach a cross-party compromise on the issues covered by Section 1 of the Universal Rights Act

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Amendment
Section 1 of the Universal Rights Act shall be amended to read: "Right to life is bestowed upon all persons upon conception and shall not be violated in any circumstance except to protect the lives of others, or to prevent serious physical damage to a pregnant woman's health, to punish treason commited during wartime or heinous crimes against humanity commited during wartime, or in wartime where the killing of enemy combatants is permitted under international law."

[Agarntrop]

/bump

[New Lindale]

Second Amendment to the Universal Rights Act
Author: James Penta

---

---

A bill to reach a cross-party compromise on the issues covered by Section 1 of the Universal Rights Act

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Amendment
Section 1 of the Universal Rights Act shall be amended to read: "Right to life is bestowed upon all persons upon conception and shall not be violated in any circumstance except to protect the lives of others, or to prevent serious physical damage to a pregnant woman's health, to punish treason commited during wartime or heinous crimes against humanity commited during wartime, or in wartime where the killing of enemy combatants is permitted under international law."

You have gained a sponsor, Stefan Almeda

[Roosevetania]

It was going to be inevitable, but I just didn't know when I'd be leaving.

I am positive that I will be leaving NS as a whole completely. I have no time for it nor the drive anymore. It used to be that I couldn't help but log on and see what was happening but now I just can't find any urge to get on anymore. And I won't be leaving out of spite nor hatred of anyone. This is purely my life progressing in a way that necessitates me dropping the site from my schedule.

So take this post as my resignation this SIM, my ADMIN role, and NS in general. It's been a great time and I have had great times. But, I have to go. This time for good.

To those who care, thank you for caring. To those who don't, I still appreciate you being a part of my NS experience. I've learned some things, grown, and enjoyed my time here.

Goodbye.

The whole of the NS Parliament thanks you for your service. Martune, over the past few years, I've enjoyed getting to know you and participating with you. You will be dearly missed.

[Agarntrop]

It was going to be inevitable, but I just didn't know when I'd be leaving.

I am positive that I will be leaving NS as a whole completely. I have no time for it nor the drive anymore. It used to be that I couldn't help but log on and see what was happening but now I just can't find any urge to get on anymore. And I won't be leaving out of spite nor hatred of anyone. This is purely my life progressing in a way that necessitates me dropping the site from my schedule.

So take this post as my resignation this SIM, my ADMIN role, and NS in general. It's been a great time and I have had great times. But, I have to go. This time for good.

To those who care, thank you for caring. To those who don't, I still appreciate you being a part of my NS experience. I've learned some things, grown, and enjoyed my time here.

Goodbye.

The whole of the NS Parliament thanks you for your service. Martune, over the past few years, I've enjoyed getting to know you and participating with you. You will be dearly missed.

Seconded

[Sankta Hilda All-Patriots Congress]

Uniform Prisons Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors: Stefan Almeda (NPP)
A bill to establish a uniform code for prisons and inmates

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Prison - a facility intended to hold individuals convicted of or accused of crimes
2. Essential employees - an employee who must report to work even if the government does not have sufficient funds and is prohibited from striking
3. Inmate - an individual in a prison convicted of or accused of a crime
4. Nutritionally balanced - containing significant amounts of all the nutrients inmates need to function
5. Conjugal visit - a visit to an inmate intended for sexual relations

§2 - Specifications

1. There shall be at least two prisons in each department of Saint Hilda (a male prison facility and a female prison facility). Additional prisons may be established by the Department of Justice as necessary to relieve overcrowding.
2. There shall be three types of prisons in Saint Hilda: minimum security (those considered low-level threats to society), medium security (certain violent criminals or other higher-level offenses), and maximum security (those considered a severe threat to others or very likely to attempt escape). Each type of prison shall have corresponding security measures for the protection of the community and to prevent escape.
3. All employees of prisons are considered employees of the Ministry of Justice and shall be considered essential employees of the national government.
4. The government may contract with private companies for the management of prison facilities, provided those companies abide by the regulations set forth in this Act.

§3 - Requirements

1. All prisons shall have a protocol to prevent inmates from inflicting physical or sexual abuse or harm to themselves or others.
2. All prisons shall have protocols for cases of emergency (fire, natural disaster, escaped inmates, riots, etc).
3. All prisons shall maintain separate cell blocks for inmates who are considered a danger to other inmates or prison employees or who are at excessive risk of violence from other inmates.
4. All prisons shall have two physical health professionals (one of which must be a general practitioner physician) and two mental health professionals (one of whom must be licensed to prescribe medication) on staff. All prisons shall have an adequately equipped medical facility for routine or immediate life-saving medical procedures.
5. All prison employees shall be paid a fair wage and there shall be enough employees in each prison to avoid excessive fatigue or stress on their part resulting from the number of hours or days worked per week.
6. All prisons shall serve three nutritionally balanced meals per day to inmates. Inmates shall have adequate space outside their cell and time to consume these meals. Inmates with allergies or religious objections to the meal must be provided with an alternate meal.
7. Inmates who do not wish to consume these meals shall have the opportunity to purchase packaged food from a prison store. Prices for these items shall not vary significantly from prices outside of the prison. Prisons may provide access to cooking facilities for inmates who wish to cook and who will provide their own ingredients.

§4 - Programs/Privileges

1. All prisons shall have educational, vocational, and recreational programs available for inmates.
2. Educational programs can include, but are not limited to: opportunities to earn a secondary school certificate (proof of completion of 6-18 education), two- or four-year university (inmate or inmate's family is responsible for payment), professional certificates (such as masonry, computer science, phlebotomy, etc, inmate or inmate's family responsible for payment).
3. Vocational programs can include, but are not limited to: work release, volunteering, or work that the prison has contracted with companies for inmates to perform in the prison.
4. Recreational programs can include, but are not limited to: sporting activities, board/card games, fitness activities, television/radio/computer or other device-based entertainment, outdoor/natural based activities.
5. Inmates shall have the opportunity for conjugal visits.
6. Family members of inmates who can prove their identity must have the opportunity to visit.
7. Inmates shall have the opportunity to converse with family members or friends via telephone or video chat. Charges to use these services shall be reasonable.
8. Participation in these programs or access to the privileges listed may be restricted within reason according to a written prison protocol.

§5 - Prohibitions

1. No minor shall be placed in solitary confinement.
2. No woman who gives birth in a prison shall be placed in restraints.
3. No prison employee shall employ physical violence against an inmate except in self-defense and then only a reasonable use of force.
4. No prison employee shall pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with an inmate.
5. No inmate shall be deprived of food, water, necessary medicine and medical care, hygiene supplies, or a clean living space (except where said inmate has created an unclean living space and refuses to clean it).
6. Violations of this section of this Act shall be punishable by termination of employment.

Educational Opportunity and Mobility Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors: Stefan Almeda, NPP
A bill to promote innovation and opportunity in education

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Private educational institution - an institution intended to provide education prior to university that is privately owned and operated
2. Charter school - a public educational institution independent of a local educational authority
3. Magnet school - a school with a specialized educational program in addition to the regular curriculum, such as agricultural education, engineering, or performing arts
4. Local educational authority - a municipality or department responsible for providing public education
5. Secondary education - education prior to university education

§2 - Charter and private schools

1. Primary and secondary private educational institutions shall be legal.
2. Charter schools shall be legal. The department or municipality in which they wish to operate shall be responsible for issuing their charter. Departments or municipalities shall not place any undue burdens to obtaining a charter.
3. It is illegal for charter schools to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases. Charter schools may not require tuition or examinations as a condition of admission. Charter schools shall have an unweighted lottery system for admission. Charter schools shall be required to administer any examination that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to administer. Charter schools shall be required to provide any data that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to provide.
4. It is illegal for primary and secondary private educational institutions to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases on the basis of the following characteristics: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or primary language.

§3 - Local Education

1. No municipality or department shall make admission to traditional public schools solely contingent on location. All traditional public schools below capacity shall be required to admit students who live outside its district, using an unweighted lottery system.
2. All local educational authorities shall establish at least one magnet school at the secondary level.
3. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer a Magnet Promotion Fund, which shall distribute funds to local educational authorities to create and fund magnet schools.

§4 - Residential Schools & Programs

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Sankta Hilda School of Science and Technology (SHSST) and the Sankta Hilda School of the Arts (SHSA).
2. SHSST and SHSA shall be public, residential schools for students in their last two years of secondary education.
3. SHSST shall have an application and interview process for students. Admission to SHSST shall be based on demonstrated academic excellence and the student's expressed interest in science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and pursuing a career in those fields.
4. SHSA shall have an application, interview, and audition process for students. Admission to SHSA shall be based on demonstrated excellence and the student's expressed interest in the arts, and pursuing a career in those fields.
5. Each school shall have a headmaster to oversee day-to-day school operations hired through a competitive process and a board of governors charged with the determination, control, supervision, management of each school.
6. Each school shall be tuition free and shall be required to admit at least one student from each department of Sankta Hilda.
7. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Student Excellence Program (SEP).
8. SEP shall be two three-week residential programs during the time traditional public schools are not in session to offer enrichment to students entering their last year of secondary education who demonstrate academic excellence in one or more of the following areas: world languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, visual art, drama, dance, choral music, instrumental music.
9. Individual SEP sessions shall be established for the areas listed and distributed among the universities of Sankta Hilda. Students shall be required to spend at least three days at the nearest geographical SEP session other than the one they are attending, for the purpose of interdisciplinary enrichment. Students may qualify to attend two different SEP sessions.
10. Selection for SEP shall be based on a competitive application process.

§5 - Tertiary Educational Opportunity

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the University Opportunity Enhancement Fund (UOEF).
2. UOEF shall distribute funds to Sankta Hildan universities for the development and successful continuation of programs that enroll and support low-income, first-generation, or other nontraditional university students.
3. No UOEF funds shall go to universities that admit nontraditional university students solely by significantly lowering academic standards for admission.
4. Local educational institutions shall partner with universities to offer university courses to secondary students who show proficiency in the area of the course of study.
5. The Ministry of Defense shall pay for up to five years of university education for veterans of the Sankta Hildan armed forces.

A bill on prisons and a bill on opportunity in education. Available for sponsors, comments, wtc

[New Lindale]

Uniform Prisons Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors:
A bill to establish a uniform code for prisons and inmates

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Prison - a facility intended to hold individuals convicted of or accused of crimes
2. Essential employees - an employee who must report to work even if the government does not have sufficient funds and is prohibited from striking
3. Inmate - an individual in a prison convicted of or accused of a crime
4. Nutritionally balanced - containing significant amounts of all the nutrients inmates need to function
5. Conjugal visit - a visit to an inmate intended for sexual relations

§2 - Specifications

1. There shall be at least two prisons in each department of Saint Hilda (a male prison facility and a female prison facility). Additional prisons may be established by the Department of Justice as necessary to relieve overcrowding.
2. There shall be three types of prisons in Saint Hilda: minimum security (those considered low-level threats to society), medium security (certain violent criminals or other higher-level offenses), and maximum security (those considered a severe threat to others or very likely to attempt escape). Each type of prison shall have corresponding security measures for the protection of the community and to prevent escape.
3. All employees of prisons are considered employees of the Ministry of Justice and shall be considered essential employees of the national government.
4. The government may contract with private companies for the management of prison facilities, provided those companies abide by the regulations set forth in this Act.

§3 - Requirements

1. All prisons shall have a protocol to prevent inmates from inflicting physical or sexual abuse or harm to themselves or others.
2. All prisons shall have protocols for cases of emergency (fire, natural disaster, escaped inmates, riots, etc).
3. All prisons shall maintain separate cell blocks for inmates who are considered a danger to other inmates or prison employees or who are at excessive risk of violence from other inmates.
4. All prisons shall have two physical health professionals (one of which must be a general practitioner physician) and two mental health professionals (one of whom must be licensed to prescribe medication) on staff. All prisons shall have an adequately equipped medical facility for routine or immediate life-saving medical procedures.
5. All prison employees shall be paid a fair wage and there shall be enough employees in each prison to avoid excessive fatigue or stress on their part resulting from the number of hours or days worked per week.
6. All prisons shall serve three nutritionally balanced meals per day to inmates. Inmates shall have adequate space outside their cell and time to consume these meals. Inmates with allergies or religious objections to the meal must be provided with an alternate meal.
7. Inmates who do not wish to consume these meals shall have the opportunity to purchase packaged food from a prison store. Prices for these items shall not vary significantly from prices outside of the prison. Prisons may provide access to cooking facilities for inmates who wish to cook and who will provide their own ingredients.

§4 - Programs/Privileges

1. All prisons shall have educational, vocational, and recreational programs available for inmates.
2. Educational programs can include, but are not limited to: opportunities to earn a secondary school certificate (proof of completion of 6-18 education), two- or four-year university (inmate or inmate's family is responsible for payment), professional certificates (such as masonry, computer science, phlebotomy, etc, inmate or inmate's family responsible for payment).
3. Vocational programs can include, but are not limited to: work release, volunteering, or work that the prison has contracted with companies for inmates to perform in the prison.
4. Recreational programs can include, but are not limited to: sporting activities, board/card games, fitness activities, television/radio/computer or other device-based entertainment, outdoor/natural based activities.
5. Inmates shall have the opportunity for conjugal visits.
6. Family members of inmates who can prove their identity must have the opportunity to visit.
7. Inmates shall have the opportunity to converse with family members or friends via telephone or video chat. Charges to use these services shall be reasonable.
8. Participation in these programs or access to the privileges listed may be restricted within reason according to a written prison protocol.

§5 - Prohibitions

1. No minor shall be placed in solitary confinement.
2. No woman who gives birth in a prison shall be placed in restraints.
3. No prison employee shall employ physical violence against an inmate except in self-defense and then only a reasonable use of force.
4. No prison employee shall pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with an inmate.
5. No inmate shall be deprived of food, water, necessary medicine and medical care, hygiene supplies, or a clean living space (except where said inmate has created an unclean living space and refuses to clean it).
6. Violations of this section of this Act shall be punishable by termination of employment.

Educational Opportunity and Mobility Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors:
A bill to promote innovation and opportunity in education

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Private educational institution - an institution intended to provide education prior to university that is privately owned and operated
2. Charter school - a public educational institution independent of a local educational authority
3. Magnet school - a school with a specialized educational program in addition to the regular curriculum, such as agricultural education, engineering, or performing arts
4. Local educational authority - a municipality or department responsible for providing public education
5. Secondary education - education prior to university education

§2 - Charter and private schools

1. Primary and secondary private educational institutions shall be legal.
2. Charter schools shall be legal. The department or municipality in which they wish to operate shall be responsible for issuing their charter. Departments or municipalities shall not place any undue burdens to obtaining a charter.
3. It is illegal for charter schools to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases. Charter schools may not require tuition or examinations as a condition of admission. Charter schools shall have an unweighted lottery system for admission. Charter schools shall be required to administer any examination that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to administer. Charter schools shall be required to provide any data that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to provide.
4. It is illegal for primary and secondary private educational institutions to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases on the basis of the following characteristics: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or primary language.

§3 - Local Education

1. No municipality or department shall make admission to traditional public schools solely contingent on location. All traditional public schools below capacity shall be required to admit students who live outside its district, using an unweighted lottery system.
2. All local educational authorities shall establish at least one magnet school at the secondary level.
3. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer a Magnet Promotion Fund, which shall distribute funds to local educational authorities to create and fund magnet schools.

§4 - Residential Schools & Programs

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Sankta Hilda School of Science and Technology (SHSST) and the Sankta Hilda School of the Arts (SHSA).
2. SHSST and SHSA shall be public, residential schools for students in their last two years of secondary education.
3. SHSST shall have an application and interview process for students. Admission to SHSST shall be based on demonstrated academic excellence and the student's expressed interest in science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and pursuing a career in those fields.
4. SHSA shall have an application, interview, and audition process for students. Admission to SHSA shall be based on demonstrated excellence and the student's expressed interest in the arts, and pursuing a career in those fields.
5. Each school shall have a headmaster to oversee day-to-day school operations hired through a competitive process and a board of governors charged with the determination, control, supervision, management of each school.
6. Each school shall be tuition free and shall be required to admit at least one student from each department of Sankta Hilda.
7. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Student Excellence Program (SEP).
8. SEP shall be two three-week residential programs during the time traditional public schools are not in session to offer enrichment to students entering their last year of secondary education who demonstrate academic excellence in one or more of the following areas: world languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, visual art, drama, dance, choral music, instrumental music.
9. Individual SEP sessions shall be established for the areas listed and distributed among the universities of Sankta Hilda. Students shall be required to spend at least three days at the nearest geographical SEP session other than the one they are attending, for the purpose of interdisciplinary enrichment. Students may qualify to attend two different SEP sessions.
10. Selection for SEP shall be based on a competitive application process.

§5 - Tertiary Educational Opportunity

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the University Opportunity Enhancement Fund (UOEF).
2. UOEF shall distribute funds to Sankta Hildan universities for the development and successful continuation of programs that enroll and support low-income, first-generation, or other nontraditional university students.
3. No UOEF funds shall go to universities that admit nontraditional university students solely by significantly lowering academic standards for admission.
4. Local educational institutions shall partner with universities to offer university courses to secondary students who show proficiency in the area of the course of study.
5. The Ministry of Defense shall pay for up to five years of university education for veterans of the Sankta Hildan armed forces.

A bill on prisons and a bill on opportunity in education. Available for sponsors, comments, wtc

You have gained a sponsor, Stefan Almeda.

[Nova Anglicana]

Uniform Prisons Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors:
A bill to establish a uniform code for prisons and inmates

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Prison - a facility intended to hold individuals convicted of or accused of crimes
2. Essential employees - an employee who must report to work even if the government does not have sufficient funds and is prohibited from striking
3. Inmate - an individual in a prison convicted of or accused of a crime
4. Nutritionally balanced - containing significant amounts of all the nutrients inmates need to function
5. Conjugal visit - a visit to an inmate intended for sexual relations

§2 - Specifications

1. There shall be at least two prisons in each department of Saint Hilda (a male prison facility and a female prison facility). Additional prisons may be established by the Department of Justice as necessary to relieve overcrowding.
2. There shall be three types of prisons in Saint Hilda: minimum security (those considered low-level threats to society), medium security (certain violent criminals or other higher-level offenses), and maximum security (those considered a severe threat to others or very likely to attempt escape). Each type of prison shall have corresponding security measures for the protection of the community and to prevent escape.
3. All employees of prisons are considered employees of the Ministry of Justice and shall be considered essential employees of the national government.
4. The government may contract with private companies for the management of prison facilities, provided those companies abide by the regulations set forth in this Act.

§3 - Requirements

1. All prisons shall have a protocol to prevent inmates from inflicting physical or sexual abuse or harm to themselves or others.
2. All prisons shall have protocols for cases of emergency (fire, natural disaster, escaped inmates, riots, etc).
3. All prisons shall maintain separate cell blocks for inmates who are considered a danger to other inmates or prison employees or who are at excessive risk of violence from other inmates.
4. All prisons shall have two physical health professionals (one of which must be a general practitioner physician) and two mental health professionals (one of whom must be licensed to prescribe medication) on staff. All prisons shall have an adequately equipped medical facility for routine or immediate life-saving medical procedures.
5. All prison employees shall be paid a fair wage and there shall be enough employees in each prison to avoid excessive fatigue or stress on their part resulting from the number of hours or days worked per week.
6. All prisons shall serve three nutritionally balanced meals per day to inmates. Inmates shall have adequate space outside their cell and time to consume these meals. Inmates with allergies or religious objections to the meal must be provided with an alternate meal.
7. Inmates who do not wish to consume these meals shall have the opportunity to purchase packaged food from a prison store. Prices for these items shall not vary significantly from prices outside of the prison. Prisons may provide access to cooking facilities for inmates who wish to cook and who will provide their own ingredients.

§4 - Programs/Privileges

1. All prisons shall have educational, vocational, and recreational programs available for inmates.
2. Educational programs can include, but are not limited to: opportunities to earn a secondary school certificate (proof of completion of 6-18 education), two- or four-year university (inmate or inmate's family is responsible for payment), professional certificates (such as masonry, computer science, phlebotomy, etc, inmate or inmate's family responsible for payment).
3. Vocational programs can include, but are not limited to: work release, volunteering, or work that the prison has contracted with companies for inmates to perform in the prison.
4. Recreational programs can include, but are not limited to: sporting activities, board/card games, fitness activities, television/radio/computer or other device-based entertainment, outdoor/natural based activities.
5. Inmates shall have the opportunity for conjugal visits.
6. Family members of inmates who can prove their identity must have the opportunity to visit.
7. Inmates shall have the opportunity to converse with family members or friends via telephone or video chat. Charges to use these services shall be reasonable.
8. Participation in these programs or access to the privileges listed may be restricted within reason according to a written prison protocol.

§5 - Prohibitions

1. No minor shall be placed in solitary confinement.
2. No woman who gives birth in a prison shall be placed in restraints.
3. No prison employee shall employ physical violence against an inmate except in self-defense and then only a reasonable use of force.
4. No prison employee shall pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with an inmate.
5. No inmate shall be deprived of food, water, necessary medicine and medical care, hygiene supplies, or a clean living space (except where said inmate has created an unclean living space and refuses to clean it).
6. Violations of this section of this Act shall be punishable by termination of employment.

Educational Opportunity and Mobility Act
Author: Salomon Kombila Berggren (SHAPC)
Sponsors:
A bill to promote innovation and opportunity in education

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

§1 - Definitions

1. Private educational institution - an institution intended to provide education prior to university that is privately owned and operated
2. Charter school - a public educational institution independent of a local educational authority
3. Magnet school - a school with a specialized educational program in addition to the regular curriculum, such as agricultural education, engineering, or performing arts
4. Local educational authority - a municipality or department responsible for providing public education
5. Secondary education - education prior to university education

§2 - Charter and private schools

1. Primary and secondary private educational institutions shall be legal.
2. Charter schools shall be legal. The department or municipality in which they wish to operate shall be responsible for issuing their charter. Departments or municipalities shall not place any undue burdens to obtaining a charter.
3. It is illegal for charter schools to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases. Charter schools may not require tuition or examinations as a condition of admission. Charter schools shall have an unweighted lottery system for admission. Charter schools shall be required to administer any examination that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to administer. Charter schools shall be required to provide any data that the Minister of Public Services requires traditional public schools to provide.
4. It is illegal for primary and secondary private educational institutions to discriminate against applicants for admission in all cases on the basis of the following characteristics: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or primary language.

§3 - Local Education

1. No municipality or department shall make admission to traditional public schools solely contingent on location. All traditional public schools below capacity shall be required to admit students who live outside its district, using an unweighted lottery system.
2. All local educational authorities shall establish at least one magnet school at the secondary level.
3. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer a Magnet Promotion Fund, which shall distribute funds to local educational authorities to create and fund magnet schools.

§4 - Residential Schools & Programs

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Sankta Hilda School of Science and Technology (SHSST) and the Sankta Hilda School of the Arts (SHSA).
2. SHSST and SHSA shall be public, residential schools for students in their last two years of secondary education.
3. SHSST shall have an application and interview process for students. Admission to SHSST shall be based on demonstrated academic excellence and the student's expressed interest in science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and pursuing a career in those fields.
4. SHSA shall have an application, interview, and audition process for students. Admission to SHSA shall be based on demonstrated excellence and the student's expressed interest in the arts, and pursuing a career in those fields.
5. Each school shall have a headmaster to oversee day-to-day school operations hired through a competitive process and a board of governors charged with the determination, control, supervision, management of each school.
6. Each school shall be tuition free and shall be required to admit at least one student from each department of Sankta Hilda.
7. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the Student Excellence Program (SEP).
8. SEP shall be two three-week residential programs during the time traditional public schools are not in session to offer enrichment to students entering their last year of secondary education who demonstrate academic excellence in one or more of the following areas: world languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, visual art, drama, dance, choral music, instrumental music.
9. Individual SEP sessions shall be established for the areas listed and distributed among the universities of Sankta Hilda. Students shall be required to spend at least three days at the nearest geographical SEP session other than the one they are attending, for the purpose of interdisciplinary enrichment. Students may qualify to attend two different SEP sessions.
10. Selection for SEP shall be based on a competitive application process.

§5 - Tertiary Educational Opportunity

1. The Ministry of Public Services shall establish and administer the University Opportunity Enhancement Fund (UOEF).
2. UOEF shall distribute funds to Sankta Hildan universities for the development and successful continuation of programs that enroll and support low-income, first-generation, or other nontraditional university students.
3. No UOEF funds shall go to universities that admit nontraditional university students solely by significantly lowering academic standards for admission.
4. Local educational institutions shall partner with universities to offer university courses to secondary students who show proficiency in the area of the course of study.
5. The Ministry of Defense shall pay for up to five years of university education for veterans of the Sankta Hildan armed forces.

A bill on prisons and a bill on opportunity in education. Available for sponsors, comments, wtc

You have gained a sponsor, Stefan Almeda.

Thanks for sponsoring! Hope we can get a couple more and then get this passed, along with a budget. Would be a good thing before elections in a few weeks.

[Merni]

You have gained a sponsor, Stefan Almeda.

Thanks for sponsoring! Hope we can get a couple more and then get this passed, along with a budget. Would be a good thing before elections in a few weeks.

Elections are in a few weeks?

[Alozia]

Taking care of debate/voting in the Parliament when Stenbeck is unavailable.

If it's still open, I'm in.

Merni, you still interested?

If so consider yourself hired.

[Nova Anglicana]

Thanks for sponsoring! Hope we can get a couple more and then get this passed, along with a budget. Would be a good thing before elections in a few weeks.

Elections are in a few weeks?

According to this post from Alozia, the government was sworn in on July 4, which means that October 4th, roughly three weeks from now, would be the end of the parliamentary term.

[Merni]

If it's still open, I'm in.

Merni, you still interested?

If so consider yourself hired.

Yes, I'm still interested. thanks.

[Vedastia]

Establishment Act
Author: Carl von Leslie

---

---

A bill establishing the Church of Saint Hilda as the state religion of Saint Hilda

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Establishment

1. The legal personage of the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be superseded by the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. All operations and property entailed to the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be incorporated into the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Church of Saint Hilda shall be established as the state religion of the State of Saint Hilda.

§2 - Parishes and Parish Councils

1. A parish council shall govern each congregation within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. Each parish council shall consist of the parish priest as its leader, other clergy attached to the parish, and several communicant lay members of the congregation equal to the number of attached clergy excluding the parish priest, selected from among and by communicant lay members of the congregation annually, with the parish council otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§2 - Deaneries and Deanery Councils

1. A deanery shall consist of at most ten parishes.
   
2. A deanery council shall govern each deanery.
   
3. Each deanery council shall consist of two clergy and two communicant laypersons selected from within each parish by their respective parish councils every four years.
   
4. Each deanery council shall select a dean to lead it from among the clergy attached to parishes within the deanery, otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§3 - General Synod

1. The General Synod of the Church of Saint Hilda shall be the highest legislative body of the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The General Synod shall consist of two clergy and one communicant layperson selected from within each deanery by their respective deanery councils every four years, as well a number of clergy selected by Parliament equal to one-sixth of the total membership of the General Synod, and a number of communicant laypeople selected by Parliament equal to one-twelfth of the total membership of the General Synod.
   
3. Members of the General Synod shall select officers from among themselves.
   
4. Decisions made by the General Synod shall be subject to review by the Parliament of Saint Hilda, which shall have the power to approve or reject decisions made by the General Synod.

§4 - Diocese of Fort Ulrika

1. The Church of Saint Hilda shall consist of one diocese, the Diocese of Fort Ulrika, comprising the whole of the State of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The Bishop of Fort Ulrika shall be the Primate of Saint Hilda within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Bishop shall be selected from among the priests of the Church of Saint Hilda by the General Synod .
   

[Merni]

Establishment Act
Author: Carl von Leslie

---

---

A bill establishing the Church of Saint Hilda as the state religion of Saint Hilda

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Establishment

1. The legal personage of the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be superseded by the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. All operations and property entailed to the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be incorporated into the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Church of Saint Hilda shall be established as the state religion of the State of Saint Hilda.

§2 - Parishes and Parish Councils

1. A parish council shall govern each congregation within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. Each parish council shall consist of the parish priest as its leader, other clergy attached to the parish, and several communicant lay members of the congregation equal to the number of attached clergy excluding the parish priest, selected from among and by communicant lay members of the congregation annually, with the parish council otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§2 - Deaneries and Deanery Councils

1. A deanery shall consist of at most ten parishes.
   
2. A deanery council shall govern each deanery.
   
3. Each deanery council shall consist of two clergy and two communicant laypersons selected from within each parish by their respective parish councils every four years.
   
4. Each deanery council shall select a dean to lead it from among the clergy attached to parishes within the deanery, otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§3 - General Synod

1. The General Synod of the Church of Saint Hilda shall be the highest legislative body of the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The General Synod shall consist of two clergy and one communicant layperson selected from within each deanery by their respective deanery councils every four years, as well a number of clergy selected by Parliament equal to one-sixth of the total membership of the General Synod, and a number of communicant laypeople selected by Parliament equal to one-twelfth of the total membership of the General Synod.
   
3. Members of the General Synod shall select officers from among themselves.
   
4. Decisions made by the General Synod shall be subject to review by the Parliament of Saint Hilda, which shall have the power to approve or reject decisions made by the General Synod.

§4 - Diocese of Fort Ulrika

1. The Church of Saint Hilda shall consist of one diocese, the Diocese of Fort Ulrika, comprising the whole of the State of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The Bishop of Fort Ulrika shall be the Primate of Saint Hilda within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Bishop shall be selected from among the priests of the Church of Saint Hilda by the General Synod .
   

Two questions:
1. Why is the government deciding the internal structure of the Church? This should be entirely a matter for the Church itself.
2. Further to that, clause 3c seems draconian and unnecessary. Why should Parliament have a veto power over the Church's decision? Moreover, the wording of the clause seems to grant Parliament more than the usual veto (a so-called pocket veto), allowing them to effectively block a decision by simply not deciding on it. This feels like a violation of religious freedom.

Also, maybe clause 1c should say "state church" instead of "state religion". (I won't comment on the intent behind that clause right now, I'm sure there will be enough comments on it in IC.)

[Vedastia]

Establishment Act
Author: Carl von Leslie

---

---

A bill establishing the Church of Saint Hilda as the state religion of Saint Hilda

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Establishment

1. The legal personage of the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be superseded by the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. All operations and property entailed to the Church of Sweden in Saint Hilda shall be incorporated into the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Church of Saint Hilda shall be established as the state religion of the State of Saint Hilda.

§2 - Parishes and Parish Councils

1. A parish council shall govern each congregation within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. Each parish council shall consist of the parish priest as its leader, other clergy attached to the parish, and several communicant lay members of the congregation equal to the number of attached clergy excluding the parish priest, selected from among and by communicant lay members of the congregation annually, with the parish council otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§2 - Deaneries and Deanery Councils

1. A deanery shall consist of at most ten parishes.
   
2. A deanery council shall govern each deanery.
   
3. Each deanery council shall consist of two clergy and two communicant laypersons selected from within each parish by their respective parish councils every four years.
   
4. Each deanery council shall select a dean to lead it from among the clergy attached to parishes within the deanery, otherwise selecting their own officers from among themselves.

§3 - General Synod

1. The General Synod of the Church of Saint Hilda shall be the highest legislative body of the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The General Synod shall consist of two clergy and one communicant layperson selected from within each deanery by their respective deanery councils every four years, as well a number of clergy selected by Parliament equal to one-sixth of the total membership of the General Synod, and a number of communicant laypeople selected by Parliament equal to one-twelfth of the total membership of the General Synod.
   
3. Members of the General Synod shall select officers from among themselves.
   
4. Decisions made by the General Synod shall be subject to review by the Parliament of Saint Hilda, which shall have the power to approve or reject decisions made by the General Synod.

§4 - Diocese of Fort Ulrika

1. The Church of Saint Hilda shall consist of one diocese, the Diocese of Fort Ulrika, comprising the whole of the State of Saint Hilda.
   
2. The Bishop of Fort Ulrika shall be the Primate of Saint Hilda within the Church of Saint Hilda.
   
3. The Bishop shall be selected from among the priests of the Church of Saint Hilda by the General Synod .
   

Two questions:
1. Why is the government deciding the internal structure of the Church? This should be entirely a matter for the Church itself.
2. Further to that, clause 3c seems draconian and unnecessary. Why should Parliament have a veto power over the Church's decision? Moreover, the wording of the clause seems to grant Parliament more than the usual veto (a so-called pocket veto), allowing them to effectively block a decision by simply not deciding on it. This feels like a violation of religious freedom.

Also, maybe clause 1c should say "state church" instead of "state religion". (I won't comment on the intent behind that clause right now, I'm sure there will be enough comments on it in IC.)

1. The Church of Sweden was notorious for state influence in its internal affairs when it was an established church. In fact, the Church decided to elect members of its deliberative bodies selected on partisan lists corresponding to Swedish political parties.
2. Again, the Church of Sweden was under heavy state influence before it was disestablished. Parliament should have at least some influence over its state church. As for your process suggestions, I will take them into account and amend the bill accordingly to remove any ambiguity about vetoes.

Also, this bill is not intended to violate religious freedom. This is merely either maintaining the status quo if the Church of Sweden was established in Saint Hilda upon independence or restoring the status quo ante if the Church of Sweden was disestablished in Saint Hilda beforehand, both with some modifications to the structure of the church. I say either of those options because I still do not know the specifics of church establishment in Saint Hilda, as none of the admins answered that question when I asked them. As you are well aware, Saint Hilda is a pluralistic society when it comes to religion. There are many Catholics and dissenting protestants who reside within Saint Hilda who don't face government persecution due to their religious beliefs.

If this bill is passed, I intend to write up a follow-up bill regarding mandatory tithing similar to the current German system of church establishment, with registered religious organizations tithing their members a mandatory percentage of their income. Any registered religious organization can opt out of the tithing system if they so choose, and people who are not members of any registered religious organization or are members of registered nonparticipating churches will be compelled to donate the money that they would otherwise tithe to a registered charity created specifically for that purpose.

[Merni]

Two questions:
1. Why is the government deciding the internal structure of the Church? This should be entirely a matter for the Church itself.
2. Further to that, clause 3c seems draconian and unnecessary. Why should Parliament have a veto power over the Church's decision? Moreover, the wording of the clause seems to grant Parliament more than the usual veto (a so-called pocket veto), allowing them to effectively block a decision by simply not deciding on it. This feels like a violation of religious freedom.

Also, maybe clause 1c should say "state church" instead of "state religion". (I won't comment on the intent behind that clause right now, I'm sure there will be enough comments on it in IC.)

1. The Church of Sweden was notorious for state influence in its internal affairs when it was an established church. In fact, the Church decided to elect members of its deliberative bodies selected on partisan lists corresponding to Swedish political parties.

Surely being "notorious" for something is not good? And, besides, the Church of Sweden hasn't been the state church for 19 years; why should the Church of Saint Hilda reintroduce the concept of a state church, and the other historic problems of the Church of Sweden here? When inheriting even the current problems of the Church of Sweden is not desirable (which to me it isn't), why inherit its past problems?

Parliament should have at least some influence over its state church.

But not full, absolute control.

If this bill is passed, I intend to write up a follow-up bill regarding mandatory tithing similar to the current German system of church establishment, with registered religious organizations tithing their members a mandatory percentage of their income. Any registered religious organization can opt out of the tithing system if they so choose, and people who are not members of any registered religious organization or are members of registered nonparticipating churches will be compelled to donate the money that they would otherwise tithe to a registered charity created specifically for that purpose.

That isn't similar to the current German system at all — the German system of church tax (Kirchensteuer or Kultussteuer) does not compel those who are not members of a sect which collects the tax to pay it at all. In that regard, it is more similar to the Italian system of otto per mille ("eight per thousand") whereby taxpayers must send 0.8% of the amount of their income tax return to a religious institution of their choice, or to the state.
But whatever it's similar to, good luck getting it passed

[Vedastia]

1. The Church of Sweden was notorious for state influence in its internal affairs when it was an established church. In fact, the Church decided to elect members of its deliberative bodies selected on partisan lists corresponding to Swedish political parties.

Surely being "notorious" for something is not good? And, besides, the Church of Sweden hasn't been the state church for 19 years; why should the Church of Saint Hilda reintroduce the concept of a state church, and the other historic problems of the Church of Sweden here? When inheriting even the current problems of the Church of Sweden is not desirable (which to me it isn't), why inherit its past problems?

Parliament should have at least some influence over its state church.

But not full, absolute control.

If this bill is passed, I intend to write up a follow-up bill regarding mandatory tithing similar to the current German system of church establishment, with registered religious organizations tithing their members a mandatory percentage of their income. Any registered religious organization can opt out of the tithing system if they so choose, and people who are not members of any registered religious organization or are members of registered nonparticipating churches will be compelled to donate the money that they would otherwise tithe to a registered charity created specifically for that purpose.

That isn't similar to the current German system at all — the German system of church tax (Kirchensteuer or Kultussteuer) does not compel those who are not members of a sect which collects the tax to pay it at all. In that regard, it is more similar to the Italian system of otto per mille ("eight per thousand") whereby taxpayers must send 0.8% of the amount of their income tax return to a religious institution of their choice, or to the state.
But whatever it's similar to, good luck getting it passed

I could do a complete overhaul of the act, allowing the Church to determine its own structure, but for decisions to be subject to veto by Parliament, which, quite frankly, sounds like a better idea.

[Merni]

Surely being "notorious" for something is not good? And, besides, the Church of Sweden hasn't been the state church for 19 years; why should the Church of Saint Hilda reintroduce the concept of a state church, and the other historic problems of the Church of Sweden here? When inheriting even the current problems of the Church of Sweden is not desirable (which to me it isn't), why inherit its past problems?


But not full, absolute control.


That isn't similar to the current German system at all — the German system of church tax (Kirchensteuer or Kultussteuer) does not compel those who are not members of a sect which collects the tax to pay it at all. In that regard, it is more similar to the Italian system of otto per mille ("eight per thousand") whereby taxpayers must send 0.8% of the amount of their income tax return to a religious institution of their choice, or to the state.
But whatever it's similar to, good luck getting it passed

I could do a complete overhaul of the act, allowing the Church to determine its own structure, but for decisions to be subject to veto by Parliament, which, quite frankly, sounds like a better idea.

It does. Still not a good idea, but better. (make that veto a 2/3 majority and it will be even better)