Senator Menjivar Announces 6 Bills Signed Into Law By Governor Newsom

VAN NUYS, CA -   Senator Caroline Menjivar (D- San Fernando Valley) announces that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed six of her bills into law including paid postpartum leave for firefighters, protections for survivors of sexual assault, and hearing aid coverage for children across California.

“Every bill I carried focused on closing the gaps that too often leave families behind. I'm especially proud of the legislation I championed this session, made possible by advocates across my district and cosponsors throughout California. We’re showing the rest of the country that supporting families shouldn't be a luxury, it's a baseline. From securing a first-in-the-nation bill providing postpartum leave for female firefighters, to helping families afford hearing aids should they choose to seek them, and ensuring we stop sexual assaults in our prisons and survivors of sexual abuse receive the protection they deserve, each of these bills reflect the commitment to fight for a California that puts its people first.” said Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley)

These are the 6 Bills signed by Governor Newsom:

SB 1024, Fire Fighter Paid Leave, - provides firefighters with up to 26 weeks of fully paid postpartum and recovery leave providing them an opportunity to breastfeed their child. Upon returning to work, the firefighter will be restored to their prior position, and the firefighter will not be required to use their sick or vacation time before utilizing this leave. 

SB 331, Let CA Kids Hear Act 2026, requires large group health plans in California to cover hearing aids and services for children under 21, changing a family’s approach to being forced to avoid hearing aids for their deaf or hard of hearing child simply because they can’t afford it 

SB 337, Sexual Assault Prevention, addresses the ongoing crisis of sexual abuse by staff within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It reaffirms and strengthens CDCR’s zero tolerance for acts of sexual violence against incarcerated people by staff and consultants, takes significant steps to prevent future violence, and encourages survivors and witnesses to come forward with less fear of retaliation. 

SB 1364, Child Custody, prohibits a person from being granted custody of, or visitation with, a child if there is clear and convincing evidence that the person perpetrated sexual assault and that child was conceived from that conduct. 

SB 991, Elder Abuse Accountability, promotes consumer transparency and accountability in assisted living facilities, by improving how substantiated reports of abuse and neglect are categorized by the  Department of Social Services and displayed on its public facing website, so that you can make the best decision on where to place your loved one.

SB 1051, Bridge Navigators, adds Bridge Navigators as an eligible referral for subsidized childcare to reduce the long waiting times and get more families back in the workforce once their foster child gets into childcare. 

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Senator Caroline Menjivar represents California’s 20th Senate District, Burbank and San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles County. A Marine Corps veteran and Master of Social Welfare, she is currently Chair of the Democratic Senate Caucus, Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services and Vice Chair of California’s Women’s Caucus.