Press Releases

Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes SB 10 to Stop Child Fentanyl Deaths, other bills by Senator Cortese

The Assembly Appropriations Committee passed a package of bills by Senator Dave Cortese on Friday, including Senate Bill (SB) 10 to prevent opioid overdoses at public schools. SB 10 would require that school safety plans – which are mandated by law – include protocols that respond to pupils suffering from an opioid overdose, such as new campus safety rules concerning fentanyl on campus. The bill would also ensure information is supplied to educators and other school staff to save children who overdose on campus.



Senator Cortese Announces Update on SB 553: Workplace Violence Prevention

Senator Cortese announced new language on Monday that amends his legislation to protect people from incidents of workplace violence. Senate Bill (SB) 553 requires employers to develop their own workplace violence prevention plans as part of their Cal/OSHA Injury Illness Prevention Plan. Employees must be informed of these plans and prepare accordingly.   



Report by Disability Rights California Highlights the Need for Senator Cortese’s Bill to Ban the Use of a Dangerous Restraint Against Students

In a report released this week, “Restraint and Seclusion in California Schools: Findings and Recommendations from the 2021-22 School Year Data,” Disability Rights California (DRC) calls on California to enact greater protections for students against prone, or facedown, restraint and other dangerous techniques used in schools.



Senator Cortese Secures Funding to Expand First-in-the-Nation Inclusive Higher Education Program for People with Differing Abilities

Senator Dave Cortese joined with leaders of special education on Friday to announce a $2.2 million state investment into the College of the Adaptive Arts (CAA). This funding will expand on CAA’s groundbreaking efforts in delivering lifelong, equitable, and college-level education to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities — along with a greater career pipeline including educational apprenticeships and teaching classes.



Legislature Passes Senator Cortese’s Bill to Streamline CEQA and Speed up State Housing Production

The California State Assembly and State Senate have both unanimously passed legislation by Senator Dave Cortese intended to speed up housing across California. The bill cleared the State Senate on concurrence Thursday. SB 406 aims to cut repetitive reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) while keeping California’s main environmental law intact. The bill is headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.