State Sen. Patricia Bates Honored By OC Sheriff's Department

SANTA ANA, CA —State Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on Wednesday received the Orange County Sheriff's Award in recognition of her legislative efforts to improve public safety, notably her work in trying to reduce fentanyl-related deaths, the state senator's office announced.

Bates was presented with the award by Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes in a surprise informal ceremony at sheriff's department headquarters. The award, according to the sheriff's department, is for individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the community.

"Senator Pat Bates has been a steadfast advocate for policies that keep our community safe," Barnes said. "As one example, over the last five years, the senator has been my partner in sounding the alarm about fentanyl and the need to enact legislation to hold accountable those trafficking this deadly substance. The senator's efforts are worthy of recognition. I am pleased to honor her with the Sheriff's Award for her continual defense of our public safety mission."

Bates thanked Barnes for the honor and the entire department for their public service.

"I thank (Barnes) and all the members of the sheriff's department for their ongoing efforts to keep Orange County as a safe as possible," Bates said. "I look forward to continuing to work with these outstanding public safety professionals to advance their goal of keeping Orange County as one of the safest counties in our state."

Bates' office highlighted several bills the state senator has authored, co-authored and supported over the years that have helped keep residents of Orange County, and Californians in general, safer.

In 2018, Bates and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan co-authored SB 1109, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law. The legislation is designed to inform Californians, especially young people, about the risks of prescription opioids.

Just this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two public safety bills from Bates into law. SB 434, also known as "Brandon's Law," is designed to protect people seeking addiction treatment from false advertising and marketing services. Meanwhile, SB 248 is in place to strengthen the law regarding sexually violent predators.

Previously, Bates authored SB 722, to crack down on sex offenders who willfully remove or disable their tracking devices, SB 1283, which addresses the growing concern over the proliferation of sober safe houses in residential neighborhoods, and SB 75, which expands the definition of "violent felonies" to include crimes deemed to be serious and violent in nature.