Ruby Coulson and a group of fellow high school students from across Washington state are tackling some big topics this legislative session.

Coulson, a 16-year-old Sequim High junior, started in September with the Legislative Youth Action Council (LYAC) and has worked with the nonpartisan, youth-led committee to serve as a voice to the legislature.

The students were chosen from hundreds of applications and appointed by Lt. Gov. Denny Heck’s office, Coulson said. She was one of 11 chosen to start a two-year term this school year.

“It’s super fulfilling,” Coulson said being on the council. “I love seeing tangible bills and rules go into legislation. That’s extremely satisfying.”

While working from their home computers via Zoom this session due to protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic, the council analyzed 19 bills, Coulson said, with only a few receiving traction in the legislature, including House Bill 1834. THat legislation could make a student’s absence from school for a mental health reason an excused absence because of an illness, health condition or medical appointment.

According to the bill, it states the “legislature finds that school districts are not consistently recognizing student absences for mental health reasons as excused absences. Therefore, the legislature intends to require that student absences for mental health reasons be categorized as excused absences.”

HB 1834 passed the House 96-0 on Feb. 2 and unanimously 9-0 on Feb. 21 in the Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education. It will go to the Rules Committee for scheduling for a Senate vote.

If passed, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal must establish a standard definition for a student’s absence from school by the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Along with consulting multiple youth and family agencies, Reykdal’s office would also consult a student advisory group including one LYAC member and other students with school members directly impacted by student absence rules and policies.

According to the bill, Reykdal must also develop and publish guidelines for public schools to implement the definition and integrate their responses to students’ excused absences for physical and mental health into their support systems for student well-being.

Coulson said their intent is that students not “just check out and leave” but make contact with a school counselor or psychologist for support.

For the bill, LYAC members worked with the Federal Way Associated Student Body, who originated the bill’s concept, with drafting and support through the youth council and Representatives Lisa Callan, Jesse Johnson and Sharon Tomiko Santos, Coulson said.

Students on the council and from Federal Way testified to the House and Senate committees in January and February emphasizing the bill helps de-stigmatize mental health needs, encourages students to stay engaged, and removes the line between mental health and school performance.

More input

Coulson and her fellow teens have met every two weeks since September for general and committee meetings and monthly full meetings with Heck and his staff.

Along with tracking bills and other priorities, the council has worked on a youth survey to see what students favor across the state, including if they want more mental health support, climate legislation and more. It should be released for student input next November, Coulson said.

She learned of the council via social media, she said, and felt led to apply in hopes of providing more representation and support for girls in general, the LGBTQ+ community, and rural and low income schools.

“I’m finding how I can make a larger-scale change,” Coulson said.

Through her time on the council, she’s connected with various representatives such as Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, also from Sequim, talking about issues and providing input.

“I’ve felt appreciated,” she said. “It makes my work feel more important and fulfilling.”

Along with the council, Coulson is active in numerous activities, including: taking advanced placement (AP) classes; serving as the Junior Vice-President of the ASB; Interact Club secretary; HOSA – Future Health Professionals club officer; many aspects of Washington State 4H; and participating in private equestrian events.

Whether or not a political path is for her, Coulson said she’s unsure.

“I’m not sure how I would do in the political field,” she said. “I feel I would get overwhelmed with the stress of it all. I’m far more interested in medical and healthcare.”

She said the council has helped her work ethic and provided her with more emotional grit.

Coulson is the daughter of John and Jodie Coulson.

For more about the Legislative Youth Action Council, visit walyac.org.

For more about HB 1834, search for it at app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo.

Read Coulson’s blog about the bill at educationvoters.org/k-12-students-need-more-excused-mental-health-days-and-more-comprehensive-support.