24 New Calif. Laws Just Signed By Gov. Jerry Brown

It was a busy day Friday for California's governor, who signed two dozen bills into law. Among those Jerry Brown approved was a bill aimed at helping young victims of sexual abuse. SB 756 helps ensure these victims get access to mental health services via restitution.

"Co-sponsored by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA) and the Crime Victims Action Alliance and supported by law enforcement, SB 756 closes a loophole in the law that prevents many young victims of sexual assault from receiving restitution that would cover mental health services necessary to treat psychological trauma," according to the office of Sen. Henry Stern.

The idea for the bill was prompted in part by a case involving a group of youth who were unable to receive restitution after being molested by their soccer coach in Los Angeles County, according to Stern's office.

"Our kids deserve better," Stern said of his bill in a released statement. "Victims of sexual violence are being denied justice under our current system."

Another bill approved by the governor is focused on ensuring items purchased at local farmers' markets continue to have oversight. SB 768 makes the Direct Marketing Program operated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) permanent.

"Without the oversight provided through this program, agricultural products could be bought from other farms, out of the state, or wholesale at stores, and then sold at a premium price under the guise of being 'locally-grown,'" Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry's office said of her legislation. "With approximately 700 Certified Farmers’ Markets and 2,200 certified producers in California, this consumer protection is critical."

Among the few bills that the governor did not approve was a bill by a Southern California lawmaker that was aimed at providing additional relief for those disabled before the age of 55. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

"In statute, SB 246 allows for a second transfer of the base year value of a property to a dwelling of equal or lesser value for those who turn 55 subsequent to being granted a base year value transfer due to being severely and permanently disabled," a description from Sen. Pat Bates said of the now-vetoed bill.

Brown said he did not think "an already generous property tax benefit" should be granted a second time on a larger scale due to unknown affects on the state's general fund.

Brown took action on the following legislation (click on the link to read the full bill text):

• AB 192 by Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside) – Migrant education: statewide parent advisory council: reports.
• AB 564 by the Committee on Agriculture – Food and agriculture: fruits, nuts, and vegetables: inspections.
• AB 652 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Property taxation: base year value: new construction.
• AB 657 by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) – State government: small business liaisons.
• AB 740 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) – Oaths and affirmations.
• AB 768 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Certified farmers’ markets: enforcement: civil penalties.
• AB 949 by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) – School employees: contracts: sole proprietors: criminal background checks.
• AB 1044 by Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) – State voter information guide: vote by mail and provisional ballot verification.
• AB 1113 by Assemblymember Richard H. Bloom (D-Santa Monica) – State Transit Assistance Program.
• AB 1148 by Assemblymember Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) – Commercial property: disclosures: disability access.
• AB 1154 by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks) – Official canvass: one-percent manual tally.
• AB 1339 by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) – Public employment: background investigations.
• AB 1343 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Diamond Bar) – Water conservation: school districts: Go Low Flow Water Conservation Partnerships.
• AB 1502 by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) – Free or reduced-price school meals: direct certification.
• AB 1711 by the Committee on Veterans Affairs – State military reserve personnel: leave benefits.
• AB 1712 by the Committee on Natural Resources – Private burning of lands.
• AB 1731 by the Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy – Apprenticeships: training funds: audits.
• SB 103 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Transportation.
• SB 106 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – State Government.
• SB 164 by Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) – Public postsecondary education: priority registration for Tribal TANF recipients.
• SB 204 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Domestic violence: protective orders.
• SB 621 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Overtime compensation: private school teachers.
• SB 680 by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) – San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District.
• SB 756 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Agoura Hills) – Restitution: noneconomic losses: child sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, Brown vetoed the following three bills:

• AB 639 by Assemblymember Jay P. Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) – Department of General Services: contracts: electronic submission. A veto message can be found here.
• SB 246 by Senator Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) – Property tax: base year value transfers. A veto message can be found here.
• SB 506 by Senator Jim W. Nielsen (R-Gerber) – Department of Fish and Wildlife: lake or streambed alteration agreements: Internet Web site. A veto message can be found here.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images