By Journalist Leandra Lepp (OBU)
Yet again, Jaden Hansen makes the delegation laugh with his opening joke bill. He introduced the “Peace and Quiet” Act of 2023 this year. A bill would allow tripping children who are causing a disturbance in restaurants.
One year of community service in a child daycare will be sentenced to anyone who is found to trip a child unjustly. This innovative approach aims to address disruptive behavior in public spaces and allow individuals to contribute positively to their community through service.
Under the Act, those who trip a child unjustly will be accommodated by any child daycare service in the state and compensated for their labor. This ensures that the individuals sentenced to community service can contribute meaningfully while fostering a supportive environment for children within the daycare system.
“Apart from wanting to introduce something new, I like to make people laugh and have fun. I believe oil should not be taken nearly as seriously as it is by so many people,” Hansen said.
Hansen intends to bring a sense of lightheartedness and entertainment to the sometimes serious world of legislation with his bills.
“My bills are always really interactive, and I enjoy watching people discuss these fun bills,” Hansen said. By creating bills that provoke discussion and amusement, Hansen actively engages with the legislative process, encouraging participation from fellow delegates and the public.
“I am glad it passed. I am glad to pass, but I am kind of alarmed by how far people have taken the bill,” Hansen said. He expresses his mixed feelings about the reception of his bill. While he is pleased with its success, he may have concerns about the potential for people to interpret the bill in extreme or inappropriate ways.
Some delegates have even considered adding more aggressive actions to the bill than kicking, such as shoving. This proposal, known as hostile amendments, has sparked debate among the delegates.
The author shares his personal perspective on the matter, “The thing I hate the most is a child that goes unbeaten,” Hansen said. His humorous remark sheds light on the underlying frustration that may have inspired the Act.
After considering several violent title suggestions for this bill, Hansen ultimately chose “Peace and Quiet” over “Eat the Rug, rats.” This decision reflects his intention to engage the public’s attention with a light-hearted title while maintaining an appropriate level of seriousness.
“I am in support of this bill, I am a big fan of kicking children. I do it in my past time,” Avery Mclntyre OSU expressed their support for Hansen’s bill. This statement, though presented humorously, should be interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek remark aligning with the satirical nature of the bill.
“Many amendments are being made, including raising the age to 18,” Mclntyre said. The delegates are actively refining and expanding the bill’s scope to address concerns and ensure its effectiveness in curbing disruptive behavior.
“Another amendment is to expand the area of engagement for tripping children to the world rather than only restaurants if there is just cause,” Mclntyre said. She claims she supports both of these amendments, signaling her belief in the need to strengthen and broaden the bill’s impact.
Ashton Tate disagrees with an amendment allowing parents to defend a child who was tripped, “If your child is a nuisance and gets tripped, you probably should handle your kid a little bit better.” Tate said.
Ultimately, the Act passes the House with a 34-17 vote. Despite the humorous and satirical nature of Hansen’s bill, it received substantial support from the delegates.