PUBLIC POLICY
LOBBY DAY
On April 3, the Greater Whittier Area Lobby Day team composed of Nadine Wilcox, Paula Ocampo and Margo Reeg chatted with policy directors for Assembly Member Lisa Calderon and Senator Bob Archuleta about the three priority bills chosen by the AAUW California Public Policy Team.
The three bills represented priority legislative areas for protecting women and girls from harassment and discrimination.
AB 2326 (D. Alvarez) requires the chancellors of the Community colleges, state Universities and the President of the University of California to provide an annual report to their respective Boards of Governors or Regents on the state of the college or university system in assuring district programs and activities are free from discrimination and thus comply with Title IX. The report should include an overview of efforts to monitor and ensure compliance of each district in providing programs and activities free from discrimination, including, but not limited to sexual harassment. The reports must be presented orally to the Senate and assembly sub-committees on Education Finance by the Chancellors themselves. (This bill is sponsored by AAUW California.)
AB 2843 (Petrie-Norris) prohibits medical providers and insurers from charging rape survivors for medical services and care related to their assault. AB 2843 eliminates cost-sharing, including deductibles, from being imposed on any rape survivor seeking medical care following a rape. These costs can range from $350 to $500. Currently only about 20% of rape survivors seek medical care due to the cost of treatment and less than 2% of perpetrators are convicted. AB 2843 will ensure rape survivors who wish to report a rape and file charges will have the benefit of a rape kit test and forensic exam to provide evidence to secure more convictions for acts of sexual violence. (This bill is sponsored by AAUW California.)
AB 2099 (Bauer-Kahan) is proposed to further protect providers and recipients of reproductive health care from violence and threats of violence. AB 2099 makes it possible for a district attorney to file felony charges if posted information about reproductive health care clients or providers results in bodily harm to anyone. AB 2099 increases protections for reproductive health care providers and clients commensurate with the risks they face. It preempts escalations in extremist violence and protects the rights of individuals seeking and providing necessary healthcare.
We had a very cordial meeting with Maryana Khames of Assemblymember Calderon’s office in Sacramento. She remembered us from last year’s visit. She will inform Assem. Calderon and get back to us with questions.
Our meeting with Sen. Archuleta’s representative Ben Edelstein was cut short after one bill because he had to appear at a committee hearing suddenly. We hope to finish the session in the near future.
For more information about the three bills, you can access the bill and fact sheets on the website at https://www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Once there, type in the bill number and hit search.
Lobby Day is very educational and worthwhile. Join us next year to advocate for AAUW priorities.
Margo Reeg, Public Policy Chair
