Caucus News

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Newsom today signed a bill by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that will provide greater protections and safety for victims as they try to leave dangerous situations. 

Senate Bill SB 538 strengthens protections for survivors of domestic violence by requiring California’s Superior Courts to maintain procedures allowing parties to electronically file for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders. The bill will also allow parties and witnesses to appear remotely at a hearing for the petition.

Sacramento, Calif. – On October 8, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 4 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Assembly Bill (AB) 14 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to advance Digital Equity in the state and provide high-speed internet access to more Californians.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a bill by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that strengthens reading instruction and ensures teacher candidates are qualified and prepared to teach students based on best practices.

SACRAMENTO - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) Bar and Restaurant Recovery Act, Senate Bill 314. It goes into effect immediately.

Sacramento – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) legislation, Senate Bill 110.

The Recovery Incentives Act, SB 110, would have legalized the effective substance use disorder treatment known as “contingency management” — financial incentives to get and stay sober — and authorized Medi-Cal to cover it. 

Sacramento, California – Senate Bills 14 and 224, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), were signed into law today by Governor Newsom – just days before World Mental Health Day.  SB 14 and 224 address the growing mental health crisis among California’s youth by implementing mental health education and training in schools.

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to assist restaurants struggling to recover from the pandemic by permanently allowing the sale of to-go cocktails as part of take-out food orders.

“The ability to sell carry-out cocktails is an important step toward helping our restaurants, which have been hit hard by the pandemic,” Sen. Dodd said. “It will ensure their recovery, protecting jobs and our economy. I thank my legislative colleagues and the governor for supporting this new law.”

SACRAMENTO – Building on California’s continued commitment to empowering survivors, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed historic legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will expand current protections against secret settlements to now cover settlement agreements involving all forms of harassment or discrimination. 

SACRAMENTO – After earning strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that requires the addition of a new online portal to California’s existing rape kit tracking system to allow survivors of sexual assault to privately and electronically track and receive updates regarding the status, location and information regarding their rape kit.

SACRAMENTO – To reduce air pollution and boost funding and deployment of zero emission vehicles in California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) to create an innovative state program, which will—in consultation with stakeholders—design new financing tools to help owners of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles purchase cleaner zero-emission alternatives.