SACRAMENTO—The California Legislature has approved AB 1997 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) with strong bipartisan support.  The measure, sponsored by the California Department of Social Services, builds upon the 2015 reforms to placement and treatment options for youth in foster care implemented by Stone’s AB 403. 

“I’m honored to advance the effort to reform placement options on the continuum of care spectrum for youth in foster care,” said Stone.  “Building upon major 2015 reforms, this measure takes additional critical steps to help youth access the support they need to return to their families or to find a permanent home if returning to their families is not an option.”

SACRAMENTO—The Governor has signed into law AB 1702 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to protect children who have been forced into sex work from reunification with their abusers.

“Vulnerable children who enter foster care deserve to rebuild their lives free from abuse,” said Stone.  “This new law will help ensure that the system does not punish abused minors for the crimes of their abusers.”

SACRAMENTO—The California Legislature has approved with strong bipartisan support AB 1702 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to protect children who have been forced into sex work from reunification with their abusers.

“Vulnerable children who enter foster care deserve to rebuild their lives free from abuse,” said Stone.  “This bill helps ensure that the system does not punish abused people for the crimes of their abusers.”

SACRAMENTO—Governor Brown has signed into law modest but necessary legislation by Assemblymembers Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) and Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) to improve transparency and clarity of ballot measure information. 

“This law ensures that counties may provide the most accurate information in the clearest possible way to voters,” said Stone.  “I’m pleased that the Governor has signed this simple but necessary measure.”

SACRAMENTO –The Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee has passed legislation by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to create a Student Loan Borrowers’ Bill of Rights.  AB 2251 would help ensure that student borrowers have reliable information, receive quality customer service, and have meaningful access to repayment and loan forgiveness programs.

“With so many Californians struggling to repay loans or even defaulting on them, it is critical that loan servicers communicate loan terms effectively with their customers,” said Stone.  “By requiring accountability and oversight of the loan servicer industry, California will create critically needed protections to student loan borrowers.”

SACRAMENTO—The Senate Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to require that people who lobby the Coastal Commission register as lobbyists subject to public disclosure laws.

“This bill makes a necessary change to the law to ensure that decisions made by Commissioners have appropriate standards of disclosure and public scrutiny.  The actions of the Coastal Commission have a profound impact on the lives of Californians, so Californians should be able to find out who is working to influence decisions that Commissioners make,” said Stone.

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has approved a bill by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to expand education opportunities to prisoners who are awaiting trial in jails. The measure builds upon Stone’s previous work to address jail overcrowding and reduce recidivism.

“We need to address prison overcrowding and recidivism with every tool at our disposal.  This proposed law will allow more prisoners to participate in programs that teach critical community re-entry skills and will give county sheriffs an additional tool to provide rehabilitative services in jails,” said Stone.  “I’m pleased that the Legislature has approved this simple but helpful measure, and I hope the Governor will sign it into law.”

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez released the following statement today in response to the legislature passing the 2016-17 state budget:

“Once again, we delivered an on-time, balanced and fiscally responsible budget for California. We deposited over $6 billion into the Rainy Day Fund to prepare for a future economic crisis. During the recession, important programs had funding stripped and too many Californians suffered the consequences. Investing in the Rainy Day Fund will help keep us on track if the economy takes another turn.