Press Release

Stern-Authored Bills on First Responder Mental Health, Aliso Canyon and Other Critical Issues Set to Take Effect January 1

SACRAMENTO – On January 1st, five bills authored this year by Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) and signed by Governor Newsom will become state law.

“From facilitating mental health care for first responders to requiring neutral, science-based chemical monitoring at Aliso Canyon, I’m proud of the work we did this year on behalf of our community,” said Senator Stern. “I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of the people in the 27th District in the upcoming year, pushing for action to ensure that the lights are kept on and our people and property are resilient in the face of wildfires.”

The bills set to take effect are:

Post-Traumatic Stress Injury support for first responders: SB 542, the Trauma Treatment Act, will facilitate access to post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) care for firefighters and law enforcement officers, bringing our state one step closer to removing the stigma around mental illness.

“Post-traumatic stress injuries can be healed, and now state law will recognize that critical truth,” said Senator Stern. “This year’s fire season has served as yet another reminder of the heroism of our first responders. It is time to protect those who protect us every day.”

Transparency and accountability at Aliso Canyon: SB 463 requires chemical monitoring at gas storage wells, like those at Aliso Canyon, to reveal what’s being pumped into our air and our water. It also requires the newly re-named California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to review and revise its policies in response to the Aliso Canyon root cause analysis.

“Our families and first responders remain anxious and in the dark about the health effects of the chemicals pumped into our community after the Aliso Canyon blowout. This will give people the answers they deserve,” said Senator Stern.

Strengthening our efforts against human trafficking: SB 630, endorsed by the Los Angeles City Council, gives teeth to California’s human trafficking laws by ensuring cities and counties can use their expertise on the frontlines to implement the most effective human trafficking laws.

Enriching youth involvement in the arts: SB 748 creates a Youth Poet Laureate position for California teens, creating a counterpart to the current Poet Laureate position in order to further encourage youth engagement in the arts.

Modernizing California’s subpoena delivery: SB 471, supported by a coalition of district attorneys, makes subpoena delivery safer and more cost-effective allowing civilian witnesses to be served electronically.

Stern also co-authored several pieces of legislation that go into effect on January 1, including:

  • AB 919, which cracks down on unregulated and predatory substance abuse recovery facilities, commonly known as sober living facilities;
  • AB 1057, which makes environmental protection and public health a legal mission for California’s oil and gas regulators; and
  • AB 1548, which deploys state funds to protect places of worship.