State legislators in all 50 states are considering nearly three times the number of immigration-related bills than they were this time last year, according a new report from the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 1,169 pieces of legislation designed to address immigration or immigrant-related issues have been introduced in all 50 states which is more than twice the total number of bills considered during 2006. For more information copies of Overview of State Legislation Related to Immigration and Immigrants are available on NCSL’s website at http://www.nhcsl.org

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY) recently introduced legislation to require the collection, maintenance, evaluation and reporting of high school graduation rates. This legislation would make all data and information reflecting the state's progress toward increasing graduation rates readily accessible to the public through a public awareness campaign. It would also solicit suggestions and community support regarding collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and evaluating graduation rates.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, the state of Delaware introduced House Bill 139 that would require all public and private post-secondary schools, colleges and universities with more than one building to install and use sirens to warn students, faculty and others of serious health or safety concerns. The bill was introduced by Delaware Representative Joe Miro.

This spring and summer, as part of the “A Healthier US Starts Here” initiative the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CMS are joining local officials and you, our partners, to raise awareness of the importance of preventing chronic disease and illness, promote Medicare preventive benefits and provide information about how beneficiaries can take action to maintain and improve their health.

“A Healthier US Starts Here,” tour hopes to motivate seniors and others with Medicare to make the most of Medicare’s preventive services. The tour will also teach people how to make the most of a special prevention-targeted CMS website, MyMedicare.gov -- a one-stop, user-friendly website that gives registered Medicare users access to personalized information on benefits and services.

A newly designed section of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Web site at www.samhsa.gov provides essential mental health information for those seeking help after a traumatic experience.

In addition to the centerpiece, “Understanding Mental Illness—After the Virginia Tech Tragedy,” the new Web section offers resources targeted to the mental health needs of such audiences as students, schools, adults, families, health professionals, emergency responders, and others.

For more information call SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7
(1-877-726-4727).

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the preeminent organization representing the interests of 300 Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3, NHCSL is a catalyst and advocate for joint action on issues of common concern, such as health, education, immigration, homeownership and economic development to all segments of the Hispanic community. NHCSL also works to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities; serves as a forum for information exchange and member networking; an institute for leadership training; a liaison with sister U.S. Hispanic organizations; a promoter of public/private partnerships with business and labor; and a partner with Hispanic state and provincial legislators and their associations representing Central and South America.