Editor’s Note: Welcome to Sacramento Snapshot, a weekly series that provides an insider look into the legislative activities of Orange County’s representatives in the Assembly and Senate. From committee work to bill passages and more, we’ve got you covered.
Passing fentanyl-related legislation has been a challenging task in the California Legislature this year. However, progress is being made on a bill proposed by Senator Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana. The aim of this bill, known as SB-250, is to prevent more overdoses and deaths by expanding California’s Good Samaritan law.
The Good Samaritan law currently protects individuals who seek medical assistance for a drug-related overdose for themselves or others. The proposed bill seeks to extend these protections to individuals who report opioid-related overdoses or substances testing positive for fentanyl to medical professionals or law enforcement. An important addition is the provision of immunity to individuals using fentanyl test strips, which can detect the presence of fentanyl in various drugs.
Having received unanimous support in the Senate, Umberg’s bill successfully cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee last week, a committee that had previously stalled other fentanyl-related legislation.
“We must address this epidemic comprehensively to prevent further overdoses and deaths,” stated Umberg.
Earlier this year, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a Los Angeles Democrat and Chair of the Public Safety Committee, put a hold on fentanyl legislation, citing “duplicative efforts” that only offered temporary solutions. Rather, he advocated for a broader hearing to tackle the overall crisis, focusing not just on the criminality aspect.
While some smaller bills related to fentanyl have made progress this legislative session, the primary focus of public safety committees in either chamber has been on strengthening existing laws and penalties.
Other News
• A group of senators approved legislation last week that mandates the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to place parents near their children during incarceration. Presently, the department considers family location when assigning prisoners to facilities, but there is no requirement to ensure proximity between parent and child.
The Legal Services for Prisoners with Children group reports that children of incarcerated parents are more likely to face negative outcomes, including antisocial behavior and drug use. Regular contact between children and their incarcerated parents has been proven to enhance family reunification and reduce rates of parole violations and recidivism after the prisoner’s release. Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, introduced the bill, which has received unanimous support in the lower chamber and recently gained approval from the Senate Public Safety Committee.
• An Assembly committee granted approval to legislation introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear, a Democrat representing south Orange County. The bill requires gun sellers to display warnings about the potential for suicide, injuries, or death during domestic disputes involving a gun. The signage must also include the “988” phone number for suicide and crisis prevention.
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