Memorial Day in SD 20 + House of Origin Legislative Update

I am so excited to share the next legislative update of the year with you; the 16 bills that advanced off the Senate Floor to Assembly Policy Committees!

Bills sent to the Assembly

Protecting vulnerable communities:

• SB 954 will curb the STI epidemic among teens by increasing equitable access to condoms.
• SB 959 establishes an online resource for transgender, gender diverse, and intersex people and their families.
• SB 1033 absorbed SB 1492 and now is looking to require the Department of Health Care Services to conduct two Medi-Cal cost studies; one for Congregate Living Health Facilities and one for Private Duty Nursing.
• SB 1057 ensures equitable community representation within county Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils.
• SB 1069 protects incarcerated survivors of sexual misconduct by giving the Office of the Inspector General authority to monitor and investigate these cases.
• SB 1079 creates a youth housing bond to increase the availability of affordable housing for homeless youth.
• SB 1112 ensures children in subsidized child care are connected to Medi-Cal and are referred for developmental screenings.
• SB 1281 streamlines the pathway for individuals with developmental disabilities to enroll and remain in the Self Determination Program.

Increasing consumer protections:

• SB 1027 requires the redaction of bank account information on a candidate’s public forms, decreasing vulnerability to identity theft.
• SB 1103 protects our small businesses and small nonprofits through fee transparency and lease contract translation.
• SB 1142 requires the CPUC to consider adopting rules that take into account someone’s ability to pay when reconnecting utility services.

Environmental justice:

• SB 1091 streamlines the process and decreases construction costs for school greening projects.
• SB 1193 reduces exposure to lead in communities surrounding airports by phasing out the sale of leaded airplane fuel statewide.  

Additional bills:

• SB 987 allows for an independent pretrial services agency in LA, San Francisco, and Santa Clara to carry out services during pretrial.
• SB 1170 will allow candidates to use campaign funds for mental health services in response to campaign related harassment.
• SB 1323 reforms the Incompetent to Stand Trial process for those who become system involved with felony convictions due to mental illness.

Adjourn in Memory of Karyn Lombardo

I rose on the Senate Floor to adjourn in memory of Karyn Lombardo, beloved wife, mother, teacher and Burbank community member, who died tragically on May 7. Her unwavering commitment to her students at Bret Harte Elementary School, her leadership as an educator, and her devotion as a wife and mother cannot be replaced. What we can look towards are the generations of young people who will grow and thrive, carrying on the legacy of Karyn’s life for many years to come.

Memorial Day

In the Capitol and in our SD 20 communities, we joined together to honor our fallen heroes and to ensure they are not forgotten by speaking their names.

Memorial Day Flag Placement Ceremony
San Fernando Mission Cemetery

San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
Never Forgotten: Memorial Day Ceremony

Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
Saluting the Price of Freedom

City of San Fernando Memorial Day Ceremony

During Period Poverty Awareness Week I hosted a Period Product Giveaway at San Fernando Gardens in Pacoima with Sisters on the Streets and National Foundation for Women Legislators.

For Mother’s Day I delivered flowers to moms at Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet and Mulholland Middle School. The holiday may be over, but did you remember to express gratitude to the mom or caretaker in your life today?

It's the final days to apply for these scholarship opportunities and your chance to get college money! 

The Latino Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program is now accepting applications.  Don't miss the opportunity to apply and receive financial assistance for your studies. The deadline is June 1, 2024, for eligible students to receive a $5,000 scholarship.

El Programa de Becas de la Fundación Latino Caucus está aceptando solicitudes. No pierdas la oportunidad de aplicar y recibir ayuda financiera para tus estudios. La fecha límite para aplicar es el 1 de junio de 2024. Los estudiantes que cumplan los requisitos recibirán una beca de $5,000.

The Women in CA Leadership Foundation’s Minerva Scholarship & Breaking Barriers Supporting Women in STEM application deadline is May 31, 2024! Details here.

The California LGBTQ Foundation Scholarship application opens on June 1! 

Calling all California LGBTQ+ students! From June 1st through 30th, you can apply for this annual scholarship program provided by the California LGBTQ Foundation. Available scholarship awards are either $5,000 or $10,000. Information & apply here.

A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be open until June 5 to support the needs of businesses and individuals affected by winter storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred January 31- February 9, 2024. The deadline to apply for property damage is July 16, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 18, 2025. 

Applicants may apply online by the deadlines or at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center through June 5:

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

510 S Vermont Ave., Suite G 100, Los Angeles

Questions: SBA’s Customer Service Center (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to make a plan for your young ones!

• LAUSD Summer of Learning provides students with core academic support, enrichment courses, and college readiness.
  El Verano de Aprendizaje del LAUSD brinda a los estudiantes apoyo académico básico, cursos de enriquecimiento y preparación para la universidad.
• The City of Burbank Program, Activity, and Service Subsidy (PASS) Program offers financial assistance for summer camp enrollment to Burbank residents in need.
  El Programa, Actividad y Subsidio de Servicios (PASS) Program de la Ciudad de Burbank ofrece asistencia financiera para la inscripción en campamentos de verano a los residentes de Burbank que lo necesiten.
• LA County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of summer programs and activities for the whole family.
  El Programa de Parques y Recreación del Condado de Los Ángeles ofrece una variedad de programas y actividades de verano para toda la familia.
• City of LA Recreation and Parks LA Kids hosts free programs and activities for youth ages 6-15 years old.
  El Programa de Parques y Recreación de la ciudad de Los Ángeles LA Kids ofrece programas y actividades gratuitos para jóvenes de 6 a 15 años.

Register for our Homeownership Information Event on Saturday, June 15, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Learn about the CalHome program and other resources to help YOU become a homeowner!

Regístrate para nuestro Evento Informativo Sobre Propietarios de Viviendas el sábado 15 de junio, en asociación con Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. ¡Conoce el programa CalHome y otros recursos para ayudarte a TI a convertirte en propietario de una vivienda!

Did you RSVP for the 2nd Annual San Fernando Valley Pride March and Block Party? Bring your friends and family out to Van Nuys on Saturday, June 29, to help our chant reverberate throughout the Valley. ¡Míranos, aquí estamos!

The Block Party at Van Nuys Civic Center will include community and constituent resources, live entertainment, crafts and wellness tents, and a large kids zone with numerous fun-filled activities. Don’t miss out!

¿Confirmaste tu Asistencia a la Segunda Marcha Anual del Orgullo y Fiesta de Barrio del Valle de San Fernando? Trae a tus amigos y familiares a Van Nuys el sábado 29 de junio para ayudar a que nuestro canto retumba en todo el Valle. ¡Míranos, aquí estamos!

La Fiesta de Barrio en el Centro Cívico de Van Nuys incluirá recursos para la comunidad y electores, entretenimiento en vivo, carpas de artesanías y bienestar, y una gran zona para niños con numerosas actividades llenas de diversión. ¡No te lo pierdas!

AANHPI Heritage Month at Museum of the San Fernando Valley 
Pan-Asian and Pacific Arts and Cultural Festival

Telling Our Stories: Japanese Americans in the San Fernando Valley, 1910’s - 1970’s, by CSUN Asian American Studies & the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, “unveils the forgotten past of Japanese Americans living in the San Fernando Valley.” Scroll through the collection of rare family photographs and read their personal stories.

3,200 Japanese Americans lived in the San Fernando Valley prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The community was predominantly farmers, establishing them as major contributors to California’s developing agricultural economy. Following the December 1941 attack, many families lost land and personal property due to forced evacuations and internment, burying an integral part of California and Valley history. Today, almost 100,000 AAPI community members live in SD 20, the third largest demographic.

Thank you for reading the Senate District 20 May Newsletter!

May you and your families be well,

Senator Caroline Menjivar, MSW