SACRAMENTO –The California Legislature has approved legislation by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) that would safeguard the health of people seeking alcohol and drug rehabilitation services. Assembly Bill 848 would allow residential detoxification facilities to provide 24-hour medical services to their clients.

"A detoxification facility should be able to provide the best possible care for vulnerable people struggling to overcome addictions. People who are working to get sober should have their needs met through the programs where they are seeking help, including medical treatment related to their addiction and recovery," said Stone. "I urge the Governor to sign this necessary measure."

AB 918 Provides Transparency about Use of Restraints for Residents and their Families

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate has approved on a unanimous bipartisan vote AB 918 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay).  The measure would protect vulnerable Californians who live in community care facilities. 

“Without public data available, family members have no way to find out how often seclusion and restraint techniques are used on their loved ones,” said Stone.  “This measure ensures that consumers have the information they need to make informed decisions on care facilities.”

SACRAMENTO –A key Senate committee has approved several bills authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) that would protect the most vulnerable Californians.  The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the following bills, which next go to a vote on the Senate Floor:

AB 403 (Stone) Reforming Group Care for Foster Youth: This bill reforms the continuum of care for foster youth.  It gives families who provide foster care training and support so that they are better prepared to care for youth, advances the state’s long-standing goal to move away from the use of long-term group home care, and transforms existing group home care facilities into places where youth who are not ready to live with families can receive short term, intensive treatment. 

SACRAMENTO – A coalition of lawmakers has introduced a bill in the Assembly to carry on the push to pass aid-in-dying reform this year, citing the urgency of the issue and its overwhelming support among Californians.

The bill’s introduction follows two recent Superior Court rulings that have underlined that it is the role of the State Legislature to overturn the state’s 141-year-old ban on aid-in-dying.

SACRAMENTO – The Governor has signed into law AB 592 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) that helps former foster youth more easily access important health, education, and housing benefits for which they are eligible.

“Although this new law makes a simple change in how the state processes paperwork for former foster youth, it could make the difference in whether these young men and women can apply for and receive benefits that can help them grow into successful, self-sufficient Californians,” said Stone.  “I’m pleased that Democrats and Republicans came together to pass this piece of legislation to help former foster youth.”

SACRAMENTO – The Governor has signed into law AB 394 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) that would help promote small and local winemaking businesses in the Monterey Bay area.  The new law requires that Monterey County wines are labeled to identify the region where they are produced.

“Winemaking is an important sector of our local Monterey County economy.  Vintners and vineyards provide jobs, attract tourists, and create high-quality products that make our region special,” said Stone.  “This new law will help small and locally owned businesses and will help promote our county’s wines around the world.”

SACRAMENTO -Closely following the landmark Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, the Governor has signed legislation that would promote and protect additional civil rights of LGBT individuals and all Californians. Assembly Bill 87 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) takes an important step to enshrine the legal rights and responsibilities of all Californians regarding jury selection.