Introduced
Legislation
In this section is information about a variety of bills related to disability issues that have been introduced in the state Assembly, Senate, or both houses. The information is listed by bill number in numerical order, starting with bills from the Assembly followed by bills from the Senate. This information is also available sorted by the issues DAWN tracks.
Assembly
- Assembly Bill 1 - Lawsuit Reform
This is a companion bill to Special Session Senate Bill 1. These bills curb and reform lawsuits. Among other reforms, families of individuals injured in nursing homes, group homes or other facilities would not be able to use investigative or incident reports about the injuries in a lawsuit. The reports are written by the facility or Department of Health Services and are considered vital information for families. [More on Assembly Bill 1 ]
Outcome: Passed Committee - Assembly Bill 7 - Photo ID
This bill requires a voter to show a Photo ID when voting. [More on Assembly Bill 7 ]
- Assembly Bill 40 - Biennial Budget Request
The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other areas. [More on Assembly Bill 40 ]
Outcome: Introduced and referred to the Joint Finance Committee. - Assembly Bill 41 - Uniform State Family and Medical Leave Law
This bill prohibits a local government from passing an ordinance more generous than state law. [More on Assembly Bill 41 ]
Outcome: Passed Assembly and Senate. - Assembly Bill 54 - Child Custody Bill
For separated or divorced parents, this bill would require courts to presume that a 50/50 placement with each parent is in the child's best interest. For very young children or children with emotional or mental illness, 50/50 placement may undermine the child's development because of the need for continuity in their environment. [More on Assembly Bill 54 ]
Outcome: Public hearing held. - Assembly Bill 68 - Mandatory Child Abuse Reporters
This bill makes all public school employees mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters and requires those employees to receive training. It also prohibits those who make a child abuse or neglect report in good faith from being discharged or disciplined. [More on Assembly Bill 68 ]
Outcome: Hearing will be held May 3, 2011 - Assembly Bill 75 - Special Olympics Tax Check Off
Allows donations to be made to the Special Olympics through an income tax check off. [More on Assembly Bill 75 ]
Outcome: Introduced April 7, 2011 - Assembly Bill 76 - Inmates' Prescription Drugs
Requires county and state jails to charge a prisoner, including people with disabilities or mental illness, a deductible, co-payment or other payments for prescription drugs or devices. The amount of the payment would be established by administrative rule. [More on Assembly Bill 76 ]
Outcome: Introduced April 7, 2011 - Assembly Bill 81 - Disability Parking Enforcement
The bill prohibits fraudulent use of a disabled parking card and prohibits the selling of disabled parking cards to individuals not eligible for them. It also increases the penalties for illegal use of the cards. [More on Assembly Bill 81 ]
Outcome: Introduced April 7, 2011 and sent to the Assembly Transportation Committee - Assembly Bill 110 - Special Needs School Vouchers
Creates a special needs voucher program that children with disabilities can use to attend private schools. The legislation is modeled after Florida, where the result was segregated schools that turned away students with the most significant needs. Parents also give up their IDEA rights when choosing private schools. [More on Assembly Bill 110 ]
Outcome: Hearing on May 3, 2011 before Assembly Committee on Education.
Senate
- Senate Bill 2 - Open School Enrollment Program
This bill changes the application dates for students who want to go to school in a different school district. [More on Senate Bill 2 ]
Outcome: Amended and passed the State Senate. Hearing held in Assembly. - Senate Bill 6 - Photo ID
This bill would require a voter to show a valid photo ID in order to vote. Valid IDs would be limited to a driver's license, state issued ID or military ID. The bill also does away with the use of corroboration when a person registers to vote. [More on Senate Bill 6 ]
Take action on Senate Bill 6 - Senate Bill 8 - Family and Medical Leave Act
There are both federal and state Family and Medical Leave Acts already in law. This bill would make the state law almost the same as the federal law. The current state law helps families and individuals with disabilities more than the federal law. [More on Senate Bill 8 ]
Outcome: Introduced and in committee. - Senate Bill 23 - Uniform State Family and Medical Leave Law
This bill prohibits a local government from passing an ordinance more generous than state law. [More on Senate Bill 23 ]
Outcome: Passed Senate and Assembly. - Senate Bill 27 - Biennial Budget Request
The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other areas. [More on Senate Bill 27 ]
- Senate Bill 42 - Mandatory Child Abuse Reporters
This bill makes all public school employees mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters and requires those employees to receive training. It also prohibits those who make a child abuse or neglect report in good faith from being discharged or disciplined. [More on Senate Bill 42 ]
Outcome: Referred to Committee. - Senate Bill 48 - Special Olympics Tax Check Off
Allows people to make donations to Special Olympics through an income tax check off. [More on Senate Bill 48 ]
Outcome: Passed the State Senate. - Senate Bill 69 - Private School Tuition
Creates a non-refundable individual income tax credit for tuition expenses for children attending private K-12 schools. The amount of the tax credit is phased in over time. Providing incentives for parents to enroll their children in private schools drains funding from public schools. [More on Senate Bill 69 ]
Outcome: Introduced April 21, 2011
