Public Policy

To learn more read this presentation on AAUW’s Public Policy Priorities.

Upcoming webinars of interest for members.

School Boards: The Battleground for the Education Culture Wars
Feb. 7, 2024 4:00 PM, Pacific Time

Please join us Wednesday, February 7 at 4:00 PM, Pacific Time for an AAUW National Public Policy Committee webinar to learn how one AAUW state board is fighting back and what you can do locally.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y2RuiP5PSNuey04jKNymAA

Across the country, we have seen school boards, and candidates for school boards, taking up controversial policies that have led to banning books from school libraries; the censorship of curriculum in school classrooms due to individuals finding content “objectionable”; and policies leading to the prevention of safe school climates for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you have questions about either webinar, please reach out to Robin J. Lucas, Grassroots Advocacy Manager (bppc@aauw.net) or Meghan Kissell (kissellm@aauw.org), Senior Director of Policy & Member Advocacy.

Inclusion in Practice: How AAUW’s Policies and Practices Promote Inclusion

Jan. 31, 2024 4:00 PM, Pacific Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IhHjiqZARNmRqdXSR9KxFQ

Please join us Wednesday, January 31, at 4:00 PM, Pacific Time for the AAUW National Inclusion & Equity Committee webinar on inclusion policies and practices. The webinar is designed to aid local branches and states as they explore various national policies and bylaws of AAUW national, featuring the resources available in AAUW’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Toolkit. The webinar provides an informative look at several national policies and practices, including the soon-to-be-announced member civility policy. Please join us!

If you have questions about either webinar, please reach out to Robin J. Lucas, Grassroots Advocacy Manager (bppc@aauw.net) or Meghan Kissell (kissellm@aauw.org), Senior Director of Policy & Member Advocacy.

From AAUW Public Policy IBC Group:

First the great news: Governor Newsom signed AB 1394 (Wicks), our co-sponsored “A” bill which will hold big tech accountable for design features that knowingly, recklessly or negligently facilitate, aid or abet child exploitation. This is a huge win given the stiff opposition from tech groups. You can find the press release here: Gov. Newsom Signs AB 1394.

The Governor also signed several “C” bills:

  • AB 230 (Reyes) will provide menstrual products in public schools with classes from grades 3-12 (was previously grades 6-12).
  • SB 667 (Dodd) will make it easier for nurse-midwives to provide essential healthcare services.
  • AB 789 (Berman) will add flexibility to requirements for students to maintain their Cal Grant or federal financial aid.
  • AB 1194 (Carillo) will add protection to those seeking reproductive care in California, especially for consumers from out of state.
  • SB 521 (Smallwood-Cuevas) will require a “good cause” exemption from CalWORKS sanctions imposed on pregnant, parenting, and lactating students.

Now the disappointing news: The Governor unfortunately vetoed our “B” bill AB 524 (Bauer-Kahan) which would prohibit discrimination against employees based on their status as a family caregiver. You can find his veto message here: SFresno_Biz23100819580 (ca.gov).

He also vetoed two “C” bills:

  • SB 257 (Portantino) would provide for no out-of-pocket costs to an individual when breast imaging is recommended after a routine mammogram.
  • AB 1057 (Weber) would give local health jurisdictions more flexibility to administer more California Home Visiting Programs (CHVP).

For all the latest on our supported bills, see the link to the Bill Tracker on page 1 of the October Public Policy Newsletter on the AAUW-CA website.