You voted for them. What have they been working on? Here are some of the bills written by Inland Empire legislators so far in 2022.
Also included are a few from other California Assemblymembers that affect home and business owners Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona)
AB 2466 would prohibit placing agencies from declining to place a child with a family because one of the parents identifies as LGBTQ.
Currently, it is prohibited to deny full and equal access to the benefits of any program that is funded or receives financial assistance from the state on the basis of sexual orientation, according to the bill text.
The bill passed the Human Services Committee.
***
AB 2502 would require an extension of six months of foster care support for non-minor dependents who turn 21 during a state of emergency declared by the governor.
Current law authorizes the juvenile court to retain jurisdiction of anyone found to be a ward of the juvenile court until they turn 21, according to the bill. The California Fostering Connections to Success Act extends specified foster care benefits to nonminor dependents until they are 21 under specific conditions.
The bill would also require transitional independent living plans to also include emergency plans, by a person’s 17th birthday, to address any issues that may arise for a child or nonminor dependent during a state of emergency
The bill was re-referred to the appropriations committee.
Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona), Jose Medina (D-Riverside) and Adam Gray (D-Merced)
AB 2046 would establish and fund the Inland Rising Fund, which would be used to allocate money to the University of California, Riverside and Merced.
The bill would require $1.460 billion dollars from the general fund to be allocated to the Inland Rising Fund to fund the economic development and climate change research at both campuses.
A one-time fund of $515 million and another $80 million in ongoing funds would also be allocated to support student enrollment and staff growth, four research facilities and the development of a clean technology park for UC, Riverside. Another one-time fund of $275 million would be allocated for the School of Medicine, clinical health and research faculty recruitment and the establishment of a teaching hospital and medical center.
A one-time fund of $451 million and a $69 million ongoing fund would be allocated to UC, Merced, for student enrollment, research faculty and staff growth, academic program development, student support services and research infrastructure. Another one time fund of $62 million and another ongoing fund of $8 million would be used for medical education operations and infrastructure, establishing a nursing program and the construction of a building for the program.
The bill passed the higher education committee and was re-referred to the appropriations committee.
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Beaumont)
SB 1298 would continuously appropriate $1 billion from the general fund to the State Department of Healthcare Services for the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program.
The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program awards grants to qualified entities construct and acquire to expand the capacity of various treatment and rehabilitation options for people with behavioral health disorders
The bill was re-referred to the appropriations committee.
***
SB 1427 would establish the Homeless and Mental Health Court Grant Program and the Transitioning Home Grant Program under the Board of State and Community Corrections to promote rehabilitation and housing stability.
The Homeless and Mental Health Court Grant Program would provide grants to counties to establish or expand homeless and mental health courts.
The Transitioning Home Grant Program would provide grants to county sheriffs and jail administrators to fund programs aimed at reducing homelessness among inmates.
The Board of State and Community Corrections will be required to submit reports on the programs’ impacts.
The bill is currently in the appropriations suspense file.
***
SB 889 would allow a nurse anesthetist to administer general anesthesia to dental patients if they receive a permit from the Dental Board of California.
In order to administer deep sedation, a nurse anesthetist would need to apply to the Dental Board and provide evidence that they meet the educational requirements.
The bill would also require the Dental Board to onsite inspections and evaluations before issuing or renewing a permit. If a nurse anesthetist fails the inspection, their permit would be revoked.
A nurse anesthetist administering general anesthesia or deep sedation would need to do so in accordance with the Dental Practice Act and the Nursing Practice Act.
A hearing was set for April 18, but was canceled at Ochoa Bogh’s request.
***
SB 1031 would lower the fee by half for a license renewal fee given by a healing arts board.
The Department of Consular Affairs has healing arts boards to ensure private businesses and professions with potential impact on public health, safety and welfare are well regulated. The healing arts boards issue inactive licenses to businesses whose licenses are restricted by the board.
There will be a hearing in the appropriations committee on May 2.
***
SB 1192 would make design professionals, like engineers and architects, included in those who can substitute an alternative security instead of having retention payments withheld when contracting with a state agency on a public works project.
The bill is currently in assembly.
***
SB 1345 would add Caltrans as a utility operator, fully integrating all underground utilities into the “Call Before You Dig” Law.
The Dig Safe Act of 2016 currently regulates excavations around subsurface installations, excluding non-pressurized sewer lines and sewer drains. The bill would also expand the law’s definition of “subsurface installation” to include non-pressurized sewer lines and sewer drains.
The bill was placed in the appropriations committee suspense file at an April 25 hearing.
***
SB 1379 would allow a prescriber or pharmacist to electronically order prescriptions from outside of a hospital or pharmacy, including for certain classified substances.
The bill would also allow a pharmacist to remotely perform data entry, perform prospective drug utilization reviews, interpret clinical data, perform insurance processing, perform therapeutic interventions and provide drug information.
An April 18 hearing was canceled.
***
SB 1453 would require speech-language pathologists to receive written verification from a verified otolaryngologist before performing Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, which is a test to see how well someone swallows.
Before performing the test, the speech-language pathologist must have performed a minimum of 25 supervised flexible trans nasal endoscopic procedures, which are in office tests to allow the doctor to see and diagnose problems with a patient’s esophagus and stomach.
The bill will also allow speech-language pathologists to perform the swallowing test at a location based on the patient’s needs.
There will be a hearing for the bill in the appropriations committee on May 2.
***
SB 1113 would require the State Department of Education to develop guidance to clarify ways inclusive classrooms and placements may be staffed under current law before Jan. 1, 2024.
The bill would promote the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms through an updated guidebook. Training in inclusive practices would also be mandated by the bill.
The Department of Education would also be required to submit a report to the legislature for changes necessary to remove barriers to the staffing of inclusive placements.
The bill would appropriate $500,000 from the general fund for these purposes.
There will be a hearing for the bill in the appropriations committee on May 2.
***
SB 1289 would exempt private recreation programs from some of the licensing and regulations set by the State Department of Social Services.
Child daycare facilities or programs that provide care or supervision to minors would not be exempt from fingerprinting and criminal record clearance requirements.
A hearing for the bill in the appropriations committee on May 2.
***
SB 937 would allow deposition subpoenas for business records to be served by overnight delivery, facsimile transmission or electronically.
Currently, someone would have to respond to the subpoena 15 days after receiving it. The bill would extend this time period by two court days if a subpoena is served overnight or electronically.
The bill is currently in the House Judiciary.
***
SB 1279 would add people with disabilities to the list of people who would need a guardian ad litem.
The bill would also require any guardian ad litem to disclose any potential or actual conflicts of interest from their appointment as guardian ad litem. They would also be required to submit an annual report of all actions taken on behalf of their ward.
The bill is currently in the judiciary committee.
***
SB 1054 would include public social services in the confidentiality requirement protective services provided through public social services agencies.
Employees of a county’s adult protective services agency or a county’s child welfare agency would be authorized to disclose information with each other.
The bill would also add adult protective services personnel to the list of people who can be included in child abuse multidisciplinary personnel team, which is a team trained in the prevention, identification and treatment of of child abuse and neglect cases.
The bill passed the judiciary committee and was re-referred to the appropriations committee.
***
SB 1312 would create an exception to the definition of marketplace facilitator for the operator of a marketplace for any portion of the marketplace that provides car rental services.
A third reading of the bill was ordered.
Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland)
AB 1623 would exclude gross income retirement pay received by a taxpayer from the federal government for uniformed service beginning from state income tax starting on Jan. 1, 2023 and before Jan. 1, 2033.
The people eligible for the exclusion include people who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
The bill would also exclude annuity payments received by a qualified taxpayer who is over 60 years old from the gross income in the taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
The bill will also require the Franchise Tax Board and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide any data requested by the Legislative Analyst. Taxpayer information received by the analyst would be subject to limitation on the collection and use of the information.
The bill is currently in the revenue and tax committee.
***
AB 1628 would require an online platform operating in California to create and post a policy statement that includes the platform’s policy on illegally distributing controlled substances.
The policy statement must also include a link to the platform’s reporting mechanism for illegal or harmful content or behavior and a link to the platform’s resources for law enforcement officials.
Anyone operating an online platform would also be required to update the policy statement as necessary and consult with nonprofit organizations, safety advocates and survivors to develop the policy.
The bill is currently in the privacy and consumer protection committee.
***
AB 2144 would require the Department of Justice to provide to the State Department of Health Care Services a copy of the reports from the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act.
The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act authorizes the involuntary commitment and treatment of people with certain mental health disorders. If a person is a danger to themselves or others or is gravely disabled, the person can be taken into custody for assessment, evaluation and crisis intervention. The person is also prohibited from owning, possessing, controlling, receiving or purchasing a firearm. The designated facility would have one day from admitting someone to submit a report to the Department of Justice regarding the prohibition.
This bill further requires the designated facility to submit quarterly reports to the State Department of Health Care Services with the identities of people admitted by the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and the Mental Health Treatment Act of 1988.
The State Department of Health Care Services will be required to submit a public report to the legislature.
The bill was referred to the suspense file in the appropriations committee.
***
AB 2317 would require the State Department of Health Care Services to license and establish regulations for psychiatric residential treatment facilities operated by a public agency.
The Department of Health Care Services will also be required to establish regulations for private organizations that provide psychiatric services to people under 21 years old in an inpatient setting.
The regulations and certifications would need to be consistent with applicable Medicaid regulations.
The bill is currently in the health committee.
***
AB 1627 would require the State Department of Public Health to create a pilot project in San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Orange County to provide an opioid antagonist to people who attend a training program.
The program would be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
The pilot project would be required to send statistics, including the number of opioid antagonist units distributed and the number of opioid-related overdoses, to the State Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health will then submit the annual report to the legislature.
The bill is currently in the public safety committee.
***
AB 2192 would prohibit a public agency, an automated license plate recognition operator (ALPR) or ALPR end-user from selling, sharing or transferring ALPR information if that sale violates the California Values Act.
The California Values Act prohibits law enforcement agencies from using the agency or department’s money or personnel to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes.
Selling, sharing or transferring ALPR information is also prohibited if the information is sold to a state that has enacted laws that limit access to abortion or a state that is has enacted specific laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
There will be a hearing for testimony only in the privacy and consumer protection committee.
***
AB 1703 would establish the California Indian Education Act to encourage school districts, county offices of education and charter schools to form California Indian Education Task Forces.
The California Indian Education Task Force, which would be in collaboration with tribes local to their regions or tribes historically located in the region, would discuss issues of mutual concern and undertake certain work. This can include developing a thorough shared understanding of accurate high-quality curricular materials about history, culture, and government of tribes, of proper and improper instructional material with depictions of Native Americans. The task force would also encourage local educational agencies to adopt curriculum developed by the east force.
The task force would be required to submit a report of its findings one year within its formation and annually to the State Department of Education. The department would then submit to certain education committees in both houses of the legislature.
The bill is currently in an appropriations committee suspense file.
***
AB 1936 would create a process to rename the University of California Hastings College of Law.
The Board of Directors of the Hastings College of the Law, the Round Valley Tribal Council and Yuki Indian Committee would determine the college’s new name. The Board of Directors will also be renamed to reflect the new name.
The bill is currently in the higher education committee.
***
AB 2022 would remove the term “squaw” from all geographic and place names in California starting on Jan. 1, 2024.
The term is a derogatory term that has been used as a slur, in particular toward indigenous women.
The Natural Resources Agency would direct the California Advisory Committee to revise its existing charter to notify local governing bodies of each geographic feature and place name that includes the term. The California Advisory Committee would also be required to work with tribes at the direction of the Native American Heritage Commission to choose a replacement name.
The bill is currently in the water, parks and wildlife committee.
***
AB 1862 would establish the Tribally Approved Homes Compensation Program, which would provide funding to eligible tribes and tribal organizations in California.
The funding would be used to assist in funding the costs associated with recruiting and approving homes for foster or adoptive placement of a Native American child as part of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
The bill would appropriate $75,000 to the eligible tribes every fiscal year.
For a tribe or tribal organization to be eligible for funding, it would need to submit a letter of intent for funding to the State Department of Social Services. The tribe would also need to submit progress reports at the end of the fiscal year that include details of the number of homes that were approved, recruitment efforts and challenges.
The bill is currently in the appropriation committee.
***
AB 923 would require the state and its agencies to consult with California tribes.
The executive branch would need to consult with a tribe within 60 days of a request to consult. Each agency director would also need tribal consultation before approving policy.
The bill is currently in the rules committee for assignment.
Of interest in the Inland Empire
AB 1771, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), would enact the California Housing Speculation Act, adding a 25% tax on the capital gains of property sold within three years of the initial purchase starting on Jan. 1, 2023.
The tax will reduce by 20% every year after the three years, with the tax being eliminated if the property is sold after seven years.
The bill would require the money from the tax to be deposited into the Speculation Recapture Community Reinvestment Fund, which would be established if the bill passes.
The bill was re-referred to the revenue and taxes committee on March 23.
***
AB 2095, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), would establish a program in the Labor and Workforce Development Agency and would require employers with more than 1,000 employees in California to submit statistics regarding the employees to the Agency annually.
The bill would also require those statistics to be published on the employers’ website starting on June 30, 2024. The statistics include the number of workers, worker pay, schedules, injuries and fatalities, benefits, and turnover.
The Agency will also be required to develop criteria and a methodology to rank employers that would qualify an employer to be certified as a high-road employer.
The bill passed the labor and employment committee and was re-referred to the appropriations committee.
***
AB 2164, introduced by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), would expand the Disability Access and Education Revolving Fund to include financial assistance to small businesses for the construction of physical accessibility improvements.
Currently, people renewing a local business license have to pay an additional $4 to the fee to support disability access, with the fee reducing to $1 after Jan. 1, 2024, according to the bill. The bill would also repeal the fee reduction, extending the $4 fee indefinitely.
The bill is currently in the appropriations committee and was referred to the suspense file.
