Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed legislation by Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, to stop schools from publicly shaming or embarrassing students by either denying them lunch or providing a snack instead because their parents haven’t paid lunch fees.

Sacramento, Calif. – SB 478, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), passed the California State Legislature with bipartisan support and is heading to the Governor’s desk.

SACRAMENTO – Smoking or consuming marijuana in any form while driving or riding in vehicles will be specifically prohibited by law in California come January 1 under a bill by Senator Jerry Hill that Governor Brown signed Monday.

SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, the California Legislature passed SB 312, authored by State Senator Nancy Skinner, to provide a pathway for individuals convicted of a crime before their 17th birthday to petition a court to have the record related to their youthful offense sealed.

“Every aspect of life has an obstacle before you if you have a record that you cannot seal,” stated Senator Skinner. “SB 312 establishes a fair system for past youthful offenders to demonstrate that they deserve a second chance. It’s a bill we can all be proud of.”

#EquityAndJustice measure would end certain sentence enhancements 

SACRAMENTO – Lawmakers today approved and sent to the governor an #EquityAndJustice bill to reform California’s criminal justice system to help children and young adults thrive.

Senate Bill 258 has support of consumer advocates and major manufacturers

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, authored by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), passed the California Assembly 54-14. Senate Bill 258 would make California the first state to require ingredient labeling for common cleaning products used by millions of consumers and workers every day.

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) offered the following statement on the passing of Edie Windsor, who was the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act:

“Edie Windsor changed the world. Her personal and powerful story of loss and discrimination played a key role in winning marriage equality. Edie is a hero to the LGBT community and to everyone who believes in fairness, and her loss hurts. May she rest in power.”

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed legislation by Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, to improve protections for whistleblowers so they can keep their jobs while retaliation complaints against their employers are being investigated.

Sacramento –Today Senate Bill 219 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which creates an LGBT Seniors Bill of Rights for seniors living in long-term care facilities, was approved by the California State Assembly. The bill was approved by the California Senate this past Spring, and now moves to the Governor’s desk after a Senate concurrence vote. Equality California is sponsoring SB 219, and the bill is co-authored by Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona.)

$10 million announced today will aid California students who face elimination of DACA program and other AB 540-eligible students

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Legislature announced $10 million in funding to help undocumented students pay for college, expanding the Dream Loan program authored by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens).