January 4, 2020
California Federation of Republican Women
Sue Blair, President
CFRW Legislative Analyst Committee:
Gretchen Cox, Elaine Freeman, Lou Ann Flaherty, and Val Emick
Welcome to the first edition of our 2021 weekly Capitol Updates. Future updates will be reporting on bills as they move through the state legislature to keep you up to date on what is happening in Sacramento!
Even with a COVID-19 abbreviated legislative session, Governor Newsom still managed to sign 327 new laws in 2020, most of which took effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Even though this is fewer than usual, he still managed to sign a few stinkers. Here is a list of some of the most interesting, or frustrating ones, depending on your point-of-view:
COVID-19:
- California’s anti-price-gouging law now covers pandemic situations and also now ensures that the laws cover online sellers.
Health:
- Private insurers must now fully cover all medically necessary mental health and substance abuse disorder treatments just like other medical conditions.
- D must now submit an electronic form to the state when exempting a child from any vaccines required to attend school.
Criminal Justice:
- Probation for a misdemeanor will now be limited to one year, probation for a felony will now be limited to two years.
- California will stop accepting new juvenile inmates at state correction centers on July 1. Those inmates will become the responsibility of counties.
- Any emergency responder or law enforcement officer that takes photos of dead people for reasons other than an investigation can be charged with a misdemeanor.
- TRANSGENDER INMATES MUST BE HOUSED ACCORDING TO THE GENDER THEY IDENTIFY WITH.
Racial equity:
- A nine-member task force will be convened to determine whether California should provide reparations for slavery (California has always been a “free” state).
- A defendant no longer has to prove “intentional discrimination” when challenging charges or convictions.
Workplace:
- Businesses with as few as 5 employees MUST provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, protected leave for family and medical needs.
- Publicly held corporations primarily based in California must have at least one BOD member who represents an underrepresented community, to increase diversity in corporate leadership. This is in addition to the law passed recently requiring at least one female BOD member as well.
Education:
- Beginning in Fall 2021, students will be required to take an ethnic studies class to graduate from a CSU campus.
Lifestyle:
- California emergency call centers must be able to accept texted 911 messages.
- A person who rescues an unattended/endangered child (age 6 or younger) from a car or truck cannot be held responsible for any damage.
- Youth football leagues cannot hold more than two practices a week, each lasting no more than 30 minutes. There must also be an emergency medical official present at games, and someone to evaluate injuries must be present at practices.
