The California legislature recently concluded its regular session at the end of August, having introduced and discussed more than 2,000 bills.
By the Sept. 30 deadline to sign or veto legislation sent his way, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed approximately 1,000 of those.
Some of those bills included ones that dealt with combatting extremism in the military and reducing dangers for bicyclists to expanding access to opioid treatment and curbing antisemitism.
Here’s a closer look at seven that made it across the finish line this year.
Combatting extremism in the military
California’s National or State Guard will no longer allow extremists — individuals who actively participate in, among other things, the “use of unlawful force, unlawful violence or other illegal means to deprive an individual of their rights” — to serve in their ranks under newly approved legislation. Once the legislation goes into effect next year, it will also require administrative discharge for extremists already serving in California’s National and State Guard.
“Just this year, the media exposed a public school teacher and member of the Arizona National Guard as a neo-Nazi,” said state Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, a retired Army colonel and author of the bill. “In life-or-death situations, members of the military must be able to trust each other implicitly without fear of discrimination or disparate treatment. And, in an emergency, all members of the public must be able to trust our National and State Guard.”
The legislation saw bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate.
Improving bike safety
Beginning next year, the installation of new sharrows on highways with posted speed limits above 30 miles per hour will be prohibited.
A sharrow, as defined by legislation authored by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, is the “pavement marking used to inform road users that bicyclists might occupy the travel lane.”
Starting in 2026, the legislation will also prohibit the Active Transportation Program in the Department of Transportation — created to promote the use of active modes of transportation — from including projects that create a Class III bikeway or a sharrow.
A Class III bikeway refers to an on-street or off-street path that provides designated space for cyclists.
“Whenever bicyclists don’t have their own lanes on roadways but must share them with cars, we need to be extra careful. Limiting the speeds allowed on sharrows will help reduce the danger for cyclists,” Blakespear said.
Republican lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate were opposed to the legislation.
Increasing transparency in California’s youth facilities
State oversight and increased transparency at youth residential treatment facilities is now mandatory thanks to legislation championed by celebrity Paris Hilton.
Authored by Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, the legislation requires facilities to report information on the use of restraints and seclusion rooms to the California Department of Social Services, which then must put that information online and available to the public.
“This legislation underscores California’s commitment to transparency and safeguarding the well-being of our at-risk children,” said Grove.
Hilton, who endured abuse in a California facility in her teens, said it’s “validating to see California taking a stand to protecting youth.”
“This is such a big step forward for protecting youth in California’s youth treatment facilities. For too long, these facilities have operated without adequate oversight, leaving vulnerable youth at risk,” she said. “I hope our state is the standard for transparency and accountability in these facilities moving forward.”
Black abalone as California state seashell
California now has an official state seashell — the black abalone.
A smooth, oval-shaped shell that is dark in color, the black abalone was used by Native American tribes for food, trade, jewelry and ceremonial wear. Now, they’re an endangered species living along the California and Baja California coast.
Assemblymember Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach, who authored the legislation, said the designation of the black abalone as the California state seashell will highlight the state’s natural resources.
“I have nearly 40 miles of the Orange County coastline in my Assembly district, and this measure encourages all Californians to help protect our beautiful shore,” Dixon said. “People come from all over the world to explore our beaches and learn about the ocean and marine life.”
The legislation was approved unanimously in the Assembly and Senate.
Electronic signatures for workers’ compensation forms
Workers’ compensation forms that require a signature, including a notary’s signature, are now allowed to be signed electronically.
Dixon, who’s behind the legislation, said the use of e-signatures was originally a measure to encourage safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now it will be used as a commonplace measure and will make workers’ compensation appeals proceedings quicker and more efficient,” she said.
The legislation was approved unanimously in the Assembly and Senate.
Expanding access to opioid treatment
Drug overdose deaths have been a major concern in California, and a new law aims to expand access to opioid treatment.
Authored by Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, R-Yucaipa, the legislation will require boards that license prescribers, including state medical boards, nursing boards and pharmacy boards, to give each licensed prescriber informational and educational material regarding the federal “Three Day Rule.” The rule allows non-physician practitioners to provide a three-day supply of opioid detox medication or maintenance treatment.
Boards will also be required to post on their websites information about the rule. The state medical board must also give informational and educational guidelines to each acute care hospital in California.
“This law will reduce overdose deaths and help those suffering from opioid use disorder access critical care more quickly, particularly in underserved areas where access to specialized addiction treatment can be limited,” Ochoa Bogh said. “It gives practitioners more tools to save lives, which is desperately needed as we continue to battle the devastating effects of fentanyl in our communities.”
The legislation saw unanimous support in the Assembly and Senate.
Preventing ‘hate littering’
While reported hate crimes in California decreased by 7.1% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reported anti-Jewish bias crimes rose from 189 in 2022 to 289 last year, an increase of 52.9%, and reported anti-Muslim hate crimes increased from 25 in 2022 to 40 in 2023.
In response to rising antisemitism in the state, Newsom signed all four of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus’ priority bills into law, one of which aims to prevent “hate littering,” or the distribution of hateful flyers, posters or symbols meant to terrorize vulnerable communities.
Authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, the legislation expands the definition of “intimidation by threat of violence” under the Ralph Civil Rights Act of 1976 — which protects individuals from hate crimes and discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and more — to include hate littering on private property.
The legislation saw bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate.
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Source: www.mercurynews.com