April 20, 2023
Golden State Republican Women
Janet Price, President
Submitted by the GSRW Legislative Analyst Committee
Karen Contreras, Lou Ann Flaherty and Elaine Freeman,
AB 1314, Gender identity: parental notification.
Existing law provides that parents and guardians of children enrolled in public schools have the right, and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children within the public schools, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as specified to include, among other things, having access to the school records of their child.
Existing law requires the mental health treatment or counseling of a minor authorized by these provisions to include involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian unless, in the opinion of the professional person who is treating or counseling the minor, the involvement would be inappropriate.
This bill would, notwithstanding the consent provisions described above, provide that a parent or guardian has the right to be notified in writing within 3 days from the date any teacher, counselor, or employee of the school becomes aware that a pupil is identifying at school as a gender that does not align with the child’s sex on their birth certificate, other official records, or sex assigned at birth, using sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, or using facilities that do not align with the child’s sex on their birth certificate, other official records, or sex assigned at birth.
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, announced his decision not to set Assembly Bill 1314 for a hearing in the Education Committee.
“All students deserve to be respected and supported for who they are, including at their schools,” said Assemblymember Muratsuchi. “This bill would require educators to ‘out’ a student to their parents, even when the student does not feel comfortable coming out, potentially forcing them into an unwelcoming or abusive home…….”
If his decision stands, it will mean that the bill will not be heard and there will be no debate on this vitally important issue.
Please write to the members of the Assembly Education Committee and URGE them to schedule a hearing on AB 1314.
Click here to email the committee!
SB 8, Firearms liability insurance.
Existing law requires any person who purchases or receives a firearm, as specified, to possess a firearm safety certificate. Existing law requires the Department of Justice to develop a written test required for the issuance of a firearm safety certificate. Existing law makes the violation of specified requirements with regard to firearms a misdemeanor or a felony, as specified.
This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2025, require a person who owns a firearm to obtain and continuously maintain in full force and effect a homeowner’s, renter’s, or gun liability insurance policy specifically covering losses or damages resulting from any negligent or accidental use of that firearm, including, but not limited to, death, injury, or property damage. This bill would require a person to keep written evidence of coverage in the place where a firearm is stored.
Hearing set for Apr 26 @ 1:30 pm in 1021 O Street, Room 2100
SB 252 – Public retirement systems: fossil fuels: divestment.
The California Constitution grants the retirement board of a public employee retirement system plenary authority and fiduciary responsibility for investment of moneys and administration of the retirement fund and system. The Legislature, however, retains the authority to prohibit investments if it is in the public interest and the prohibition satisfies standards of fiduciary care and loyalty required of a retirement board.
This bill would prohibit the boards of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the State Teachers’ Retirement System from making new investments or renewing existing investments of public employee retirement funds in a fossil fuel company, as defined. The bill would require the boards to liquidate investments in a fossil fuel company on or before July 1, 2030.
The Cal PERS board is opposing this legislation. As a global investor, directed by the California Constitution to carry out a fiduciary duty to its members and employer partners, CalPERS does not believe that mandatory fossil fuel divestment is an effective solution to the “public interest” for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Cal PERS also believes that divestment would create a ripple effect on its ability to produce the investment returns needed to fulfill its members’ retirement promises. As of December 31, 2022, the estimated value of publicly traded securities held by CalPERS that meet the SB 252 criteria of a “fossil fuel company” was $9.4 billion. Every missing dollar of investment returns must be offset by employer and employee contributions.
Hearing set for Apr 18 @ 1:30 pm in 1021 O Street, Room 2100
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