2023 Legislation & Budget Wins

Education

SB 223 Child Welfare & Attendance Certification — Improves attendance and student well-being in K-12 public schools by increasing the number of specialized school mental health professionals. This is accomplished by allowing Child Welfare and Attendance authorization by Local Education Agencies on their campuses.

Health

SB 457 Minor Vision Care — Closes a dangerous gap in access by establishing that unaccompanied homeless minors, 15 years or older and in charge of their finances, can consent to vision care services.

Business & Professions

SB 372 Respect for Names Act — Eliminates the use of deadnames at the Department of Consumer Affairs for licensed professionals who have changed their legal names.

Government

SB 732 California State Bat — The Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is designated as the official state bat of California.

Resolutions

SCR 18 – Wear Red Day (Feb 3, 2023) & American Heart Month in California (February)
SR 36 - Period Poverty Awareness Week (May 22-28)
SR 41 - Title IX – 51st Anniversary (June 23rd)
SCR 40 - National Social Work Month (March)

2023-24 California State Budget

CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot Program - Raise the minimum monthly CalFresh benefit from $23 to $50 for eligible participants in the pilot program. The pilot will work to support Senator Menjivar’s ongoing push to expand this program statewide based on the needs of California’s most vulnerable communities.

Senate District 20 Budget Inclusions

City of Los Angeles, Reseda ($500,000) - For LA Family Housing to complete renovations to 75 units of interim housing at The Sieroty.
Vida Community Center, Sun Valley ($130,000) – Refrigerated truck for community food services.
City of San Fernando ($3 million) – Water nitrite treatment system to ensure resiliency by putting the City in the position to provide water for all of its groundwater water supply and eliminate the need for regional imported supply.
Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND), Pacoima ($747,000) – Increase outside refrigeration capacity.
American Legion Post 176, San Fernando ($100,000) – Necessary modernization renovations, which haven’t been made since 1953!
City of Los Angeles, Northeast San Fernando Valley ($400,000) – Equestrian trail master plan.
Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE), Canoga Park ($500,000) - Roof repairs and air conditioning upgrades.
Heartfelt Education Through the Arts (H.E.ARTS), North Hollywood ($150,000) – New roof.
Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC), San Fernando Valley ($1 million) - Support the acquisition of a commissary.
Neighborhood Legal Service of Los Angeles (NLSLA), Pacoima ($3 million) - Support construction of the Pacoima Justice and Job Training Center.