Sacramento – A measure authored by Senator Martha Escutia (D – Norwalk), which lists the rights of parents of English learners in the state’s public schools, was signed yesterday by Governor Gray Davis.

“Too often,” Escutia said, “immigrant parents shy away from becoming involved in their local schools because they do not understand that they have the right participate as a partner in their children’s education.”

Sacramento – California took one step closer to the eradication of lead hazards in its schools today, when the Governor signed Senator Martha Escutia’s Senate Bill 21.

“For years, we have known that lead hazards persist in our schools,” Senator Escutia (D – Norwalk) said. “Lead poisoning poses serious threats to the health of young children. It causes learning disabilities, behavior problems and organ damage. I am very encouraged that this Administration agrees that we need to we take lead poisoning seriously and get those hazards out of our schools.”

SACRAMENTO, CA —Senator Noreen Evans has introduced Senate Bill 299, legislation that closes the gap in health insurance coverage for working women on pregnancy leave. Current law guarantees a woman up to four months of unpaid pregnancy-related disability leave when deemed medically necessary by her physician. The law concerning health coverage during this leave, however, is murky and contains significant gaps. These gaps often result in new mothers losing coverage or risking their health by returning to work prematurely to prevent losing coverage.

Sacramento, CA – Yesterday, Governor Gray Davis signed AB 2583 by Assembly Member Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) relating to sexual assault on college campuses, describing AB 2583’s address of campus sex crimes as “a worthwhile endeavor.”

AB 2583 establishes a Campus Sexual Assault Task Force to assess California’s college campuses on the issue of sexual assault and create a set of model guidelines, the “Campus Blueprint to Address Sexual Assault” Report.

Sacramento – Today Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson (D – Santa Barbara), incoming Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, introduced a joint resolution, AJR 2, commending the 30th anniversary of the historic United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade guaranteeing women reproductive rights and urging the President and Congress to stand firm in their resolve to uphold the intent and substance of the Roe v. Wade decision. January 22, 2003 marks the 30th anniversary of the United State Supreme Court decision in Roe v.

Assemblymember Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge) has been elected to the Executive Board of the Women’s Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). She is the only Californian on the 14-member, bipartisan board composed of women state legislators from across the nation.

This year’s theme is ‘Succeed in Sports, Lead in Life’

On Monday, February 3, 2003, Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson (D – Santa Barbara), Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and Co-Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Title IX, will present ACR 13 and host a press conference to urge all Californians to celebrate and take part in California Girls and Women in Sports Week.

SACRAMENTO – On Monday, March 17, 2003, Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) will present Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, declaring March 2003 as "Women’s History Month” on the Senate Floor. The measure honors the many contributions women have made throughout history, and encourages Californians to join in the celebration of International Women’s Day. “Women have played an important role in every step of our history, but unfortunately their accomplishments are often overlooked,” said Figueroa, Vice Chair for the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

New Chair is Tasked with Broadening Agenda 

(Sacramento, CA) During the California Legislative Women’s Caucus first meeting of the new year, State Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) was unanimously elected to lead the group’s legislative efforts and address the state’s growing fiscal challenges. Receiving strong support from her colleagues, Figueroa pledged to work hard towards collaboration with all vested parties and to broaden the group’s legislative and political agendas.

Women’s pain often discredited

(Sacramento, CA) During a legislative hearing, chaired by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), examining how chronic and debilitating pain afflicts men and women differently, legislators were shocked to learn the severity of gender bias on the part of practitioners surrounding the treatment of pain.