(SACRAMENTO, CA) — The California Legislative Women’s Caucus (LWC) has announced its 2025 priority bill package—11 member-authored bills chosen by a caucus-wide vote. The package focuses on advancing early childhood education, bolstering women’s economic security, protecting vulnerable women, and closing gaps in maternal and menopause care.
“Our caucus’s 2025 priorities reflect our strong and consistent commitment to advancing equity, opportunity, and safety for all Californians—especially women and families,” said Legislative Women’s Caucus Chair Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “From reproductive justice to economic security and maternal health, these priorities aren’t just women’s issues, but issues that affect our whole society. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to lead on legislation that uplifts our communities and ensures a better future for the next generation.”
Promoting sound legislative policies and budget priorities that improve the well-being of women, children, and families, the LWC’s 2025 priority legislation is grounded in six core pillars: tackling poverty and affordability; advancing childcare and education equity; ensuring public safety and addressing gender-based violence; promoting healthcare and health equity; supporting vulnerable communities; and championing workplace and economic equity.
“On the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud that our 2025 priority package continues our tradition of protecting and uplifting California women, girls, and families,” said Legislative Women’s Caucus Vice Chair Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). “Whether in the workplace, at the doctor’s office, or in their bank accounts, the challenges women face and their essential role in our progress as a state are the focus of this legislative package. I am honored to serve alongside these women who have come together to empower women and families.”
The 2025 Legislative Women’s Caucus Priority Bills, Organized by Policy Pillar:
Addressing Poverty and Affordability
AB 798 (Calderon) - Emergency Diaper and Wipe Distribution Program
“I am honored that AB 798 has been selected as a priority bill by the Legislative Women’s Caucus. Diapers and wipes are essential items that no family should go without, especially during an emergency. AB 798 strengthens support for mothers and caregivers, ensuring they don’t have to choose between their child’s wellbeing and meeting other basic needs when resources are limited,” said Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier).
Childcare & Education Equity
SB 271 (Reyes) - Transforming Higher Education for Student Parents Through Essential Financial and Childcare Support Services
“It is truly a privilege and an honor to have SB 271 selected as a priority by the Legislative Women’s Caucus this year. As someone deeply committed to equitable access to higher education, I am thrilled to author this bill to connect student parents with financial aid and childcare resources. For student parents, the path to higher education is often fraught with challenges. A report by Early Edge found that a lack of information on childcare resources and financial aid was a major contributor to student parents not continuing their education. SB 271 aims to address this by ensuring that student parents, who are disproportionately women of color, are not navigating these obstacles alone. By expanding access to essential resources like financial aid and childcare, we are breaking down the barriers that so often stand in their way. With SB 271, we are sending a powerful message: student parents are valued, and they deserve the support necessary to balance their educational aspirations with the demands of family life,” said Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton).
Gender Violence & Public Safety
AB 229 (Davies) - Criminal Procedure: Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing
“The best public policy happens when we work together and develop bipartisan solutions to issues facing women. AB 229 is a common-sense measure to ensure greater protections for victims of sexual assault and help provide relief from the trauma they have endured,” said Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel).
AB 788 (Quirk-Silva) - Rehabilitation and Safety for Incarcerated Women
“California’s prison system still fails to address the unique needs of incarcerated women, who face violence, trauma, neglect, and too often are forgotten. AB 788 is a declaration that incarcerated women will no longer be overlooked, requiring that the California Department of Corrections take action to ensure safer conditions, better policies, and stronger leadership. This is about accountability, respect, and changing the future for women who deserve a second chance,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton).
SB 258 (Wahab) - Justice for Disabled Spouses
“Sex without consent is always rape. SB 258 puts an end to a legal loophole that leaves married disabled people unprotected. Disabled people deserve the same legal protections against intimate partner sexual violence when they are married as they do when they are unmarried because marriage doesn’t imply consent,” said Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley).
Healthcare & Health Equity
AB 836 (Stefani) - Midwifery Education Landscape Analysis
“California is facing a reproductive and maternal health crisis, and at the heart of that crisis is a critical shortage in our maternity care workforce,” said Assemblymember Catherine Stefani (D-San Francisco). “AB 836 will answer that call by building a stronger, more equitable, and culturally responsive maternal healthcare workforce pipeline that reflects our values and meets the needs of all our families.”
AB 432 (Bauer-Kahan) - Menopause Care Equity Act
“I am proud my menopause bill is back, stronger than ever, and as a Legislative Women’s Caucus priority to ensure that California prioritizes women’s health throughout all stages of life. Although menopause is a natural occurrence that affects 50% of the population, it has not been adequately researched or covered. AB 432 requires physicians to participate in continuing medical education courses on menopause and codifies treatment options and health care coverage for perimenopause and menopause,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda).
Vulnerable Communities
AB 83 (Pacheco) - Elder Financial Abuse Prevention Act
"Seniors remain vulnerable targets for fraudsters due to their accumulated wealth and increasingly sophisticated scam tactics. Assembly Bill 83 will provide financial institutions with the necessary tools to help prevent elder financial abuse—safeguarding seniors' lifelong earnings and protecting their overall well-being," said Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey).
AB 495 (C. Rodriguez) - Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025
"Due to the deportation actions and threats by the federal government, it is vital that families have protections in place to prevent family separation. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, empowers parents by providing crucial tools to create family safety plans, including caregiver authorization affidavits, temporary guardianship, and protecting immigration information at childcare centers. The Family Preparedness Plan Act ensures vulnerable families are supported and caregivers are equipped to care for children if a parent is unavailable," said Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando).
Workplace & Economic Equity
SB 75 (Smallwood-Cuevas) - Women Prison Apprenticeships
“Far too many Californians return from incarceration without the support needed to reintegrate, facing poverty, limited opportunities, and higher risk of recidivism. SB 75 creates a pilot reentry apprenticeship program that begins before release, providing stipends and job preparation to promote long-term success, public safety, and equity,” said Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles).
AB 65 (Aguiar-Curry) - The Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act
“Educators should not have to choose between starting a family and their financial well-being. AB 65 will create equity in the education workforce and give educators paid leave to care for themselves and their children, as we ask them to give so much to care for ours,” said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “It’s time for California to lead in providing pregnancy leave for educators. AB 65 is a critical step toward creating a more equitable future for California’s educators, their families, and the students they serve.”
###
The California Legislative Women’s Caucus is a 58-member bipartisan body of women elected leaders from the California Assembly and Senate. The Caucus also includes the five women who hold constitutional office. Women in the legislature account for 48 percent of the legislative body