Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation Supporting California Legislative Women’s Caucus Priorities

Governor Gavin Newsom today joined the California Legislative Women’s Caucus to sign legislation aimed at further protecting and advancing the rights and opportunities for women and working families in California, leading with an equity lens. The bills signed today included six of the eight bills sent to the Governor for his signature. 

“Over the last two years, our Caucus has been working tirelessly to help reverse the devastating impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women, especially women of color. The reality is that these issues existed long before the pandemic, but the pandemic further exacerbated and highlighted the work we need to do to lift up all women, especially low-income women of color, and given us a greater sense of urgency,” said Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. “Governor Newsom’s actions to sign a diverse package of bills that are leading with a lens on equity will make a positive difference for women, children, and families across the state.”

“The Legislative Women’s Caucus priority bills signed by Governor Newsom today break new ground on pay equity, expand emergency mental health services, support survivors of domestic violence and campus sexual assault, and eliminate the so-called ‘Pink Tax’ that has resulted in products aimed at women having a higher cost than the same product marketed for men. These new laws are an important victory for women and families and will make California stronger for all,” said Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), vice chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

The Governor signed the following bills today:

• SB 1162 (Limón) - Requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide a salary range on all job postings. Additionally, this bill ensures that the Civil Rights Department receives aggregate data broken down by race, ethnicity, and sex for both direct employees and employees hired through a third-party staffing agency.

“This is a big moment for California workers, especially women and people of color who have long been impacted by systemic inequities that have left them earning far less than their colleagues,” said Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). “California has once again shown its dedication to creating a more equitable economy with SB 1162. As we continue to build a sustainable economy, we must ensure every worker is paid equitably.”

• SB 1017 (Eggman) - Ensures survivors of domestic and interpersonal violence who are tenants, maintain their current housing and avoid eviction. This legislation increases safety by providing stability as survivors heal. The bill creates eviction protections consistent with early lease termination laws that protect abuse survivors and immediate family members.

"SB 1017 is a vital piece of legislation that not only addresses domestic violence in the home but also works to address one of the biggest drivers of homelessness for women. Nationally, 57% of unhoused women reported that domestic violence was the direct cause of their homelessness. SB 1017 will ensure survivors of domestic and interpersonal violence who are tenants, are able to maintain their current housing and avoid eviction,” said Senator Susan Eggman (D-Stockon).

• AB 1287 (Bauer-Kahan) - Eliminates the gender-based price differences applied to identical products, commonly known as the “Pink Tax.”

"Women are charged more and paid less. I'm proud that Governor Newsom has taken the long-overdue step of ending gendered price inequality in California by signing AB 1287" said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda). "Finally, we can eliminate the "pink tax" once and for all."

• AB 1467 (Cervantes) - Establishes that sexual assault counselors are independent of the campus Title IX office. It also allows sexual assault counselors to maintain confidentiality when interacting with survivors of sexual assault. This bill will also help ensure that when California State University (CSU) executive orders relating to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are reviewed, they are done so in collaboration with appropriate officers and employees.

“I am grateful that the Governor has signed my Assembly Bill 1467, which clearly establishes that sexual assault and domestic violence counselors at our public institutions of higher learning are independent of campus Title IX offices. This will allow counselors to act in the best interests of survivors, free from fear of discipline or retaliation from Title IX offices,” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside). 

“I also want to thank my colleagues in the Legislative Women’s Caucus for making this measure that will strengthen protections for survivors of sexual assault, especially student survivors on our college campuses, a priority for our Caucus.”

• AB 2185 (Weber) - Increases access to medical evidentiary examinations for survivors of domestic violence assault. This measure also ensures survivors of domestic violence are connected to local social services or child advocacy centers for additional support.

“In San Diego County, the District Attorney’s office implemented a countywide pilot program with trained forensic nurse examiners to document strangulation and other injuries from domestic violence assaults through medical evidentiary exams. The program resulted in over 1,000 exams administered and a 15 percent decrease in the number of domestic violence homicides,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D- San Diego). “The evidence proved that the exams coupled with early intervention with counseling and resources for women and families resulted in saving lives. This is why I authored AB 2185 to scale the pilot program statewide and expand access to medical evidentiary examinations for survivors of domestic violence assault to all Californians. AB 2185 will also create a funding system to reimburse qualified healthcare professionals for administering these exams. I appreciate Governor Newsom’s signing the Legislative Women’s Caucus priority bills which underscores California’s commitment to achieving equitable policies for all women.”

The following bill that was part of the Legislative Women’s Caucus priorities package was already signed:

• AB 32 (Aguiar-Curry) - Extends California’s nation-leading access to Telehealth services to all modalities to improve working families and those with access and mobility issues' ability to receive the full range of health care. Coupled with provisions included in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 budgets, which absorbed many AB 32 provisions, the bill ensures patients will continue to have access to care by maintaining parity in reimbursement for telehealth services for Medi-Cal managed care plans.

“The COVID pandemic proved what we and our partners have known all along.  True health access does not come without using all of the tools that technology can afford our people,” said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “Services that Californians cannot obtain are services that might as well be unavailable.  A working mom cannot always leave her job to take her sick child to a doctor or clinic.  A senior with mobility problems shouldn’t have to have every health interaction in person.  A person struggling with disabilities should be able to consult their doctor on their computer.  And, my constituents in small towns and rural communities, who often lack health or specialty care professionals, or even internet access, should be able to talk to their doctor or nurse on the phone.  AB 32 and our budget actions based on our legislation will help millions of Californians overcome these barriers.”