The Legislature is now halfway through the legislative session and bills that are still moving are in the second house, which means that Assembly bills are being heard in the Senate and Senate bills are being heard in the Assembly. NASW-CA advocates on behalf of many issues of importance to the social work profession and to our clients. The NASW-CA Legislative Committee has reviewed all these measures to ensure they are consistent with our Code of Ethics and Social Work Speaks.
Here is a report on some of our priority issues. In order for a bill to be presented to the Governor for his signature or veto, the Legislature must pass the bill by September 14, 2023. The Governor will then have until October 14 to make a decision on the final outcome of each measure.
Lobby Day Bills:
- SB 766 (Eggman) Title Protection for Social Workers – NASW-CA Sponsored bill. This bill will only allow a person with a degree from a CSWE accredited school of social work to be called a social worker. Status: Two-Year bill. We will have an opportunity to lobby for this bill in January, 2024.
- SB 11 (Menjivar) Requires one full-time equivalent California-licensed mental health counselor per 1,500 students enrolled at each CSU campus. The bill, contingent upon appropriation by the Legislature, would establish the CSU Mental Health Professionals Act to provide for one-time grants to certain CSU students (including social work students) to become mental health counselors in the state. Status: To be heard in the Assembly Higher Education Committee on June 27.
- SB 407 (Wiener) Requires a resource family to demonstrate an understanding of the unique needs of LGBTQ+ and gender-expansive youth, and the capacity and willingness to meet those needs. Status: To be heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on June 20.
NASW-CA Co-Sponsored Bills:
- SB 372 (Menjivar) Allows for the removal of “deadnames” from the licensee or registrants name under the Department of Consumer affairs. This can be done in several circumstances upon request, such as a gender and name change or a domestic violence victim who does not want the deadname listed. Status: To be heard in the Assembly Business & Professions Committee on June 27.
- SB 373 (Menjivar) Would prohibit the Board of Behavioral Sciences and the Board of Psychology from displaying the full address of record so that only the city, state, county, and zip code will be displayed. Status: To be heard in Assembly Business & Professions Committee on June 27.
- AB 442 (Villapudua) Requires the Dept. of Justice to provide state summary criminal history information (RAP sheets) to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys if requested in order to help their clients with expungements or other assistance. Status: In the Senate awaiting a committee hearing date.
Other Key Bills of Interest:
- AB 4 (Arambula) Allows for undocumented individuals to buy into Covered California if they are income eligible. Status: Awaiting a hearing date in the Senate Health Committee.
- AB 280 (Holden) Limits the use of segregated (solitary) confinement. Facilities must follow specified procedures such as requiring a mental health check at specified intervals. Status: Awaiting a hearing date in the Senate.
- AB 1001 (Haney) Provides for minimum staffing requirements, including LCSWs, at a general acute care hospitals to respond to behavioral health emergencies. Status: Awaiting a hearing date in the Senate.
- SB 58 (Wiener) Would decriminalize the possession and consumption in specific quantity limits of psychedelic substances: psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine (“DMT”), mescaline (from non-peyote sources), and ibogaine for people over 21 years old. This change in law could expand access to psychedelic medicines and put California in a position to establish a program for regulated therapeutic use in the future. Status: To be heard in Assembly Public Safety Committee on June 27, 2023.
- SB 403 (Wahab) Makes it clear that discrimination based on caste is covered under existing anti-discrimination statutes. Status: In the Assembly awaiting a committee hearing date.
- SB 260 (Menjivar) Would add $20 to the CalWORKs grant to purchase menstrual products for those between the ages of 10 and 55. Status: To be heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on June 20, 2023.
NASW-CA will continue to lobby these bills until the end of the legislative session. Most of these bills will still need to go to a fiscal committee (Senate or Assembly Appropriations Committee) before they go to the full Assembly or Senate for a vote before the full body.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in advocacy, or if you have any questions about these bills or other measures, please contact Rebecca Gonzales, Director of Government Relations and Political Affairs at rgonzales.naswca@socialworkers.org. Please sign up for advocacy alerts below.
