Press Releases

State Senator Dave Cortese joined parents, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, and District Attorney Jeff Rosen to celebrate the legislative passage of the bipartisan bill known as “Melanie’s Law.” SB 10, which is awaiting approval by the Governor, focuses on preventing youth fentanyl overdoses through prevention, response, training, education, and awareness.




WHAT: State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) will join parents, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, and District Attorney Jeff Rosen to celebrate the legislative passage of SB 10, a bipartisan bill known as “Melanie’s Law.” The bill is named in honor of Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl and died in the bathroom of her high school in Hollywood.




The California Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 10 by Senator Dave Cortese today to prevent fentanyl overdoses in public schools. SB 10 is designed to provide educators and other school staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to save a child who overdoses on campus, making it a statutory requirement for schools to intervene in cases of opioid abuse and addiction.




The California Legislature passed Senator Dave Cortese’s Senate Bill (SB) 309 today, setting clear rules about religious clothing, headwear, and grooming for people being booked into prison or jail. SB 309 is rooted in research that shows when inmates can practice their religion while in detention, they're less likely to be violent or engage in other adverse behaviors. Maintenance of free exercise rights among incarcerated people also reduces the chances of recidivism.




The California Legislature passed Senator Cortese’s Senate Bill (SB) 553 today, a bill to protect workers from workplace violence. SB 553 requires employers to develop their own workplace violence prevention plans as part of their Cal/OSHA Injury Illness Prevention Plans. Employees must be informed of these plans and prepare accordingly. The Senate passed the bill on a concurrence vote on Tuesday and the bill advances to the Governor for his signature.