Movement Inspired Policy

Drafting Policy for Movements: Turning Community Priorities Into Policy

How does a community demand become a bill? And how can advocates and policymakers ensure that the people most affected by a policy have a meaningful role in shaping the law?

Join the CUNY Law State Policy Lab and the American Constitution Society for a practical, 90-minute introduction to legislative drafting. This training will walk participants through the process of translating policy goals into statutory language, from identifying the problem a bill is meant to address to drafting definitions, substantive protections, enforcement mechanisms, and other key provisions. We will also examine common drafting mistakes and how seemingly small choices in statutory language can determine who is protected, who is excluded, and whether a law works as intended.

Throughout the training, we will approach legislative drafting as a collaborative process. Participants will consider how legislative staff, advocates, attorneys, and directly impacted communities can work together to turn community priorities into effective and enforceable policy.

The training is designed for current and incoming legislative staff and elected officials, advocates, legal-services attorneys, students, and others interested in developing practical legislative drafting skills. No prior legislative drafting experience is required.

Advance registration is required. Space is limited.

Faculty:

Amanda Jack, Policy Director, Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice

David Siffert, Executive Director of the State Law Initiative at NYU Law 

Prof. Jared M. Trujillo, Founder of the CUNY Law State Policy Lab

of the CUNY Law State Policy Lab