An NCSL news roundup of resources, tailored for state legislatures.

June 8, 2025

In today's roundup of resources from NCSL: A Town Hall on what states should know about proposed federal changes to Medicaid. Also, the debate over school vaccines, a preview of NCSL Policy Review Week and more states are offering paid parental leave.

Join NCSL health policy experts Lauren Kallins and Kathryn Costanza as they explore the key trends and changes shaping Medicaid this year. Learn what’s happening in Congress and the implications for state policymakers in navigating one of the most complex and consequential areas of public policy.

► Watch the Livestream of the Town Hall

In the ongoing debate over school vaccination policies, Utah Rep. Stephanie Gricius (R) and Connecticut Rep. Josh Elliott (D) highlight the complex considerations lawmakers face in the latest installment of “State of Play,” a bipartisan video series created by A Starting Point and NCSL. All 50 states and Washington D.C. have laws requiring certain vaccines for students to attend school. Many states align their vaccine requirements with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Since 2021, lawmakers have generated more than 2,500 vaccine-related bills, about 400 of which were introduced during the 2024 legislative sessions, as reflected in NCSL’s State Public Health Legislation Database. 

► NCSL State of Play: School Vaccination Debate: Lawmakers Weigh Public Health and Parental Rights

► NCSL: State Legislatures News; Vaccine Policy Remains a Topic of Interest for State Legislatures

► NCSL: State Non-Medical Exemptions >From School Immunization Requirements

► PBS: Amid measles outbreak, Texas lawmakers vote to make school vaccine exemptions easier

► Oregon Public Broadcasting: Record number of Oregon kindergartners exempt from school-required vaccinations

Take a deep dive into public policy during NCSL's Policy Review Week, June 9-13. Take the opportunity to connect virtually with fellow legislators, legislative staff and NCSL’s federal and state policy teams. Want to have a voice in influencing policy? Get the lowdown on NCSL's Standing Committee policy process.

► NCSL: Policy Review Week

► NCSL: Federal Policy Pulse

► NCSL: Policy Directives and Resolutions

More states are giving paid parental leave, especially to state workers. This year, Alabama, Iowa and Mississippi joined 37 other states in granting the leave to thousands of state workers, Stateline reports. The United States is one of six countries without federally mandated paid parental leave. 

► NCSL: State Policies on Paid Family Leave

► NCSL: State Family and Medical Leave Laws

► Stateline: More GOP states embrace paid parental leave for teachers, public employees

► Radio Iowa: Iowa’s governor signs family leave policy for state employees

► Maine Morning Star: After much discussion, Maine Legislature keeps paid family and medical leave mostly intact

► Elections | Election Conversations: Tim Bobanic, Brevard County, Fla.

►Gas taxes | Recent Legislative Actions Likely to Change Gas Taxes

► Energy Task Force | State Legislatures News: Energy Task Force Members Tackle Critical Power Supply Issues

► Vacancies | State Legislatures News |How Are Vacancies Filled in State and Federal Offices? It Varies.

► Unemployment | Unemployment Insurance Summary 2024

► Elections Funding | Prohibiting Private Funding of Elections

NCSL does not necessarily endorse the content or views expressed in these news reports.

Virtual Events

June 9-13 | NCSL Policy Review Week 2025

June 13 | LUCA: Improving Census Data. Here’s How, Starting Now

June 16 | High Court Highlights: Breaking Down the Latest Cases | SCOTUS Update

 

In-Person Meetings

Aug. 3 | Election SATs: Security, Accuracy and Transparency, Boston

Aug. 4-6 | 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit, Boston

Articles from news sources curated in NCSL This Week are provided for information purposes only and do not reflect the views or policies of NCSL.

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