FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sacramento, California) Yesterday, October 10, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed four out of five California Senior legislative bills into law. Senior Assembly Member Don MacAllister, Chair of the Joint Rules Committee, has expressed his gratitude to the Governor, “Today is a great day for all Californians! Governor Jerry Brown recognizes the significant sacrifices that seniors have made to ensure that our state remains the best in the nation. We look forward to working with Governor Brown and the Legislature in the upcoming session—as the California Senior Legislature continues to work hard on behalf of our 4.3 million constituents.”
One legislative bill of substantial importance is Assembly Bill (AB) 247. Also known as Senate Proposal (SP-10), it was originally authored by California Senior Senator Jim Levy of Anaheim. Signed into law yesterday, it extends the voluntary income tax contributions sunset clause to January 1st, 2020. Considered the lifeline of this organization, California Senior Legislature receives the bulk of its funding from ordinary citizens. By extending the sunset clause, it will enable the organization to continue advocating on behalf of all California’s seniors.
Additional Bills that were signed into law—
AB 663— Requires administrator and ombudsman training at care facilities to include cultural competency and sensitivity in issues relating to underserved aging lesbian , gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Also known as Assembly Proposal (AP-19), it was originally authored by California Senior Assembly Member Shirley Krohn of Walnut Creek.
AB 918— Requires the Office of Emergency Services to update the State Emergency Plan to include proposed best practices for local governments and nongovernmental entities to use to mobilize and evacuate people with disabilities during an emergency or natural disaster. Also known as Assembly Proposal (AP-2), it was originally authored by California Senior Assembly Member Eleanor Bloch of Tiburon.
SB 129— Provides for assistance in purchasing telecommunication equipment for the deaf and disabled persons. Also known as Assembly Proposal (AP-13), it was originally authored by California Senior Assembly Member Dieter Kammerer of Fountain Valley.
The governor also signed SJR 4 which reauthorizes the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965. Also known as Assembly Federal Proposal (AFP-1), it was originally authored by California Senior Assembly Member Vince B. Agor of Westminister.
The California Senior Legislature (CSL) is comprised of dedicated community volunteers representing all 58 counties and 4.3 million seniors in the state. Our primary mission is to gather ideas for model legislation for consideration at the State and Federal levels and advocate for laws that improve the quality of life for aging Californians.
The California Senior Legislature success includes over 180 proposals chaptered into State Legislation addressing priority senior concerns. This legislation has covered issues such as elder and dependent adult abuse, financial abuse, Veteran’s issues and the Silver Alert program. Additional information about CSL legislative proposals can be found at www.4csl.org.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Janice Bailey, Operations Manager
California Senior Legislature
1020 N Street, Room 513
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 552-8056
www.4csl.org