Holly J. Mitchell

BY ANISCA MILES

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed landmark legislation introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell that addresses the inequities of maternal care for black mothers and infants.

Senate Bill 464, the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, requires implicit bias training for perinatal providers involved in services at hospitals and birth centers.

It also requires the Department of Public Health to track and publish data on maternal mortality rates and pregnancy-related conditions.

What a year! My community, the 30th Senate District, was the inspiration behind my legislative package this year, which reflects my commitment to address housing discrimination, economic inequity, and bias in health access. 

Black women in the US are more likely to die in childbirth. Although California's rate of maternal mortality has decreased since 2006, 700 women still die each year from childbirth, according to the CDC. Of those who die in labor, 21% are Black women even though they only make up 5% of the childbirth cohort. “Black women do deserve better,” Senator Holly J. Mitchel said in the Assembly Health Committee in June, “When we recognize that the Black maternal mortality rate is 4-times higher of other racial groups that is why the bill is before you today.”

As California’s unhoused population increases, Senate Bill 329 would level the playing field for renters who need the most assistance. With rising rent, lack of affordable housing, this bill protects Californians who use housing vouchers from discrimination by landlords.

This past 2018-2019 legislative session I focused on health and economic justice with an emphasis on equity and access. My legislative package is reflective of my commitment to address housing discrimination, economic inequity, and bias in health access. It has been a very successful legislative year with the majority of my bills below having already been signed or waiting on the governor's signature. I am looking forward to continuing our work on SB 555, SB 144 and SB 361 into to the new year.

Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement after Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, the acting director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced at a press conference that the rule would go into effect in 60 days:

The Second Hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Social Determinants of Children’s Well-Being Engages Fresno Community on Healthcare Workforce Shortage and Conditions in the Valley that Harm Children

Fresno, CA (July 15, 2019) – The bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Social Determinants of Children’s Well-Being today held its second of six public hearings on the social determinants of children’s health to investigate the conditions that negatively impact California children into adulthood and hear recommendations to improve life outcomes.

Link to original Guest Press Release HERE:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Tuesday, bipartisan legislation to protect Californians, especially children, from jewelry tainted with highly toxic heavy metals sailed through a key committee.

The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee unanimously passed SB 647, the Safe Jewelry Act, sending the legislation to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell explains during a Senate Floor vote today why improving 911 system is “the responsible thing to do.”

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, a member of the Senate Public Safety Committee, comments in support of the panel's 6-0 vote in support of AB 392, Police Officer's Use of Force.