Assembly Passes Portantino Bills, Headed to Senate

Several bills proposed by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada-Flintridge), who represents Eagle Rock, were passed by the California State Assembly last week. They are awaiting Senate approval.

The following information was provided by Wendy Gordon, a spokesperson for Portantino:

Law Enforcement Bill:

AB 322, Rape Kit Reporting: A bill that would require law enforcement agencies to report the number of rape kits collected and tested annually.

Health Bill:

AB 491, HIV Testing: A bill that would make sure state law keeps up with wider public health strategies concerned with HIV screening. State health officials estimate there are 32,000 California residents who are unknowingly living with HIV.

Education Bills:

AB 2 Higher Ed Accountability: If approved, this bill would establish guidelines for a rating system that would measure the performance of California Community Colleges, California State Universities and the University of California. This “report card” would grade the successes and deficiencies of each institution, and would be available to parents, teachers and students.

AB 91 Community College Financial Aid: A bill that would make it easier for students to apply for financial aid for attending community colleges. It would require the Chancellor’s office to begin a 3-year pilot program that would increase student participation in state and federal financial aid programs.

AB 160 Concurrent Enrollment: A bill that would make it easier for high school students to transition to community college. It would also encourage school districts to partner with community college districts.

AB 245 Childcare Payments: A bill that would require the State Controller to pay childcare contractors via direct deposit. This bill was drafted after a roundtable discussion of childcare contractors in the 44th district.

Portantino's bill that would ban the open carry of unloaded guns passed the Senate Public Safety Committee last week. Read about the bill’s approval by the Assembly Public Safety Committee in April here.