July 22, 2021
California Federation of Republican Women
Sue Blair, President
Submitted by the CFRW Legislative Analyst Committee
Gretchen Cox, Elaine Freeman, Lou Ann Flaherty,
Val Emick, and Theresa Speake
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RECALL UPDATE
The recall election on September 14th will present voters with two questions. The first: Whether Newsom should be recalled from the office of governor (would require 50% plus 1 vote to successfully recall him). We all need to help GOTV for “YES” on the Recall. If the Recall does not pass, the second question means nothing. The second will ask who should succeed Newsom if he is recalled. The candidate with the most votes on the second question would win the election ONLY IF THE RECALL PASSES. VOTE “YES” FOR THE RECALL.
SOCIAL MEDIA
AB 35– Social media platforms: false information. Existing law prohibits a person from making or disseminating in any advertising device, or in any manner or means whatever, including over the internet, any statement concerning real or personal property or services that is untrue or misleading, as specified. Existing law defines libel as a false and unprivileged publication, including by writing, printing, or picture, that exposes any person to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, among other things.
This bill would require a person that operates a social media platform, as defined, to disclose whether or not that social media platform has a policy or mechanism in place to address the spread of misinformation, as specified. The bill would authorize the Attorney General or any district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney to enforce violations of its provisions and would subject a person to a civil penalty of a specified amount depending on the number of violations. Passed in the Assembly and now in the Senate.
PUBLIC SERVICES
AB 153– establishing public social services- Already signed by Newsom, this bill provides guaranteed income to pregnant women and income for foster youth, with no restrictions on how they spend it. California is the first to create a guaranteed income program and it should be noted, that this is an ongoing expense that will require renewal in future years.
In addition to the guaranteed income, there are many other parts to the bill, including monies that come through the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 which provides states with the option to use federal funds under Title IV of the federal social security act to provide mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment. The State of California is extending this option for use for a candidate for foster care, a pregnant or parenting foster youth or nonminor, and their parents or kin caregivers and the allowable costs for the proper and efficient administration of the program.
This bill would make a pregnant minor or nonminor dependent eligible for the infant supplement for a specified period before the expected date of birth. The bill would require the local agency to develop and implement automated payments for this purpose. There were zero “no votes” for this bill from Republicans, although several Republicans did not vote. Why ????
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
AB 262 – Human Trafficking victims- Vacating Arrests- Existing law allows a person who was arrested or convicted of a nonviolent offense while they were a victim of human trafficking to petition the court for vacatur (vacating arrests/convictions) relief within a “reasonable time”.
This bill would prohibit a court from refusing to hear the petition due to any outstanding fines or fees or failure to meet the conditions of probation and would specify that relief does not expire with the passage of time. This bill would also require that records of arrest be sealed and destroyed within 3 years of the date of arrest or 90 after vacatur is granted including the destruction of any DNA samples. This bill would also require notification to the victim and counsel of compliance with the sealing of records and destruction of DNA samples.
The More We Know…
Do you know how a legislative bill becomes a law in California?
Click here for a simple explanation.
For further information on any of the bills mentioned here or others, CLICK HERE and simply enter the bill # or keywords where designated.
CLICK HERE to find/contact your local Legislators to inquire about or let them know your opinion about bills or issues.
Listen to hearings on bills that interest you:
http://www.legislature.ca.gov/the_state_legislature/calendar_and_schedules/audio_tv.html
California Legislative Portal links- Express your support or opposition to a bill or directly to the Legislative committee currently reviewing it (as an individual, not as a member of RWF or CFRW)– click here, or the bill’s author- click here, enter your bill # and look for tab at top of the bill page labeled “Comments to Author”.
Questions? Please e-mail legislativeanalysts@cfrw.org
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