Four Students Win Assemblywoman Paulen's 'There Oughta Be A Law' Contest

PELHAM, N.Y. -- Assemblywoman Amy Paulin recently announced that four students from the 88th District were selected as the winners of her “There Ought To Be A Law” contest.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin announced the winners of her "There Ought To Be A Law," contests for middle school students.
Photo Credit: *Assemblywoman Amy Paulin website*

K Reakes

04/12/2016 11:00 a.m.

Middle school students in Paulin’s district, which covers, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Pelham, Pelham Manor, and parts of New Rochelle and White Plains, were asked to identify a problem impacting New Yorkers and suggest a law that would rectify the issue. Seventy-two students submitted proposals for legislation.

Sarah Jane O’Connor, an eighth-grader at Pelham Middle School, was awarded first place for proposing the state mandate insurance coverage for basic hearing aids. Paulin will draft a bill to mandate insurance coverage of hearing aids in response to O’Connor’s proposal.

“I am thrilled by the response we received to this contest and happy to know that so many students in my district are aware of issues facing New Yorkers,” Paulin said. “After reading all the responses, it is clear that we have some very intelligent, civic-minded youngsters in the 88th Assembly District.”

Tuckahoe seventh-graders Jack Doherty and Hayden Ehrenfeld tied for second place. Ehrenfeld proposed a ban on neonicotinoids, which are a class of pesticides attributed to the decline in bee population. Paulin will become a prime co-sponsor of legislation written by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-4), which would prohibit the use of the chemicals atrazine, metalaxyl and the neonicotinoids class of chemicals.

Doherty proposed legislation that would protect a student’s athletic records from tampering and alteration. Paulin will draft a bill mandating school districts to create policies pertaining to the protection of athletic records.

Pelham eighth-grader James Nespole was awarded third place for his proposal regarding the creation of a Good Samaritan Law, which would protect people who take action saving children left unattended in a hot car. Paulin will become a co-prime sponsor of egislation written by Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-96), which grants immunity from civil liability for those who engage in emergency removal of a child from a motor vehicle.

Connor will visit Paulin in Albany where she will be presented with a citation and make an appearance on the Assembly floor.

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