Senator Ridley-Thomas’ 2008 Legislative Accomplishments
With the recent completion of the 2008 legislative year, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas’ (D-Los Angeles) efforts have resulted in substantive legislative accomplishments that include a strong focus on helping homeowners who are struggling with subprime loans, economic development and transportation congestion relief, access to health care and consumer protection.
“Considering the many challenges California families are having to confront during these tough economic times, I am pleased the Governor has signed into law my priority legislation, which includes bringing much needed relief to struggling homeowners,” stated Senator Ridley-Thomas. “This legislative session was particularly trying. However, I sought to continue empowering individuals while striking a balance between government, business and communities which is reflected in my legislative record.”
The following is the list of the Senator’s legislative accomplishments of 2008:
Senate Bill 870 California Home Loan Refinancing will authorize the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) to immediately implement a $1.1 billion program of the Federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, aimed at refinancing the loans of distressed borrowers with subprime loans. This measure permits CalHFA to establish the program by action of its Board of Directors following a publicly-noticed hearing, instead of by regulation which could have taken up to six months.
Senate Bill 564 School Health Centers Funding marks the first effort to provide direct state assistance to school health centers who provide effective, low-cost preventive services and reduce costly emergency room visits. The Governor has pledged to expand the number of California’s school health centers to 500 and this proposal provides the mechanism to make the expansion possible. The measure builds upon the Senator’s 2006 efforts, which established the Public School Health Center Support Program to collect data and provide technical assistance to support new and existing school health sites.
Senate Bill 1422 MTA Transit will enable Los Angeles County to tap into $210 million of federal funds for the Fastlane project on portions of State Highway Route 110 and Interstate 10. The three year project is aimed at reducing freeway gridlock on identified stretches of freeway. Additional benefits include economic development and bringing news jobs to the region while improving the environment’s air quality.
Senate Bill 1441 Medical Diversion Programs establishes uniform standards and guidelines for the evaluation, oversight and discipline of physicians, nurses, dentists and other professionals whom are impaired by drug or alcohol abuse. The Medical Board of California’s now defunct Diversion Program offers a prime example of the failures associated with an improperly administered substance abuse program and is the impetus of the legislation.
Senate Bill 1307 Pharmacy ePedigree will implement the state’s electronic tracking system of prescription drugs. The program will monitor pharmaceuticals from the point of manufacture until the drugs reach a pharmacy or hospital, thereby preventing consumers from receiving counterfeit or tampered medications. The legislation also allows additional time to properly develop and implement the tracking technology system.
Senate Bill 797 Board Sunset Dates – Sex Offenders extends the statute of limitations for bringing an action against a licensed therapist accused of sexually abusing a minor, by authorizing California’s State Board of Behavioral Sciences to take action against a licensee regardless of whether or not the act occurred prior to licensure. This measure also extended the sunset dates of several boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Senate Bill 963 Board Sunset Dates extends the sunset dates of several boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Senate Bill 997 Commission on Emergency Medical Technicians expands the Commission on Emergency Medical Services from 16 to 18 members by adding a Cal-Fire appointee and an appointee representing a city fire department.
Earlier this year, Congressional hearings revealed severe abuse and torture of detainees in our military prisons, which prompted Senator Ridley-Thomas to champion Senate Joint Resolution 19 Health Professionals and Torture which requires all California health boards to notify their licensees that participating in torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees in U.S. custody are in violation of international, federal and state laws.
2008 Legislative Accomplishments
2007 Legislative Accomplishments
2005-06 Legislative Accomplishments
2003-04 Legislative Accomplishments