FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation improving services and support for women, children and families.
Legislation signed Thursday protects new parents from losing their jobs and health care benefits.
One bill extends family leave for small business workers –12 weeks of unpaid leave for those in companies with up to 49 employees.
One bill stops employers from asking about an applicant’s salary history, while another makes CalWORKS homeless benefits immediately available to applicant who are victims of domestic violence.
SB 500 – the sextortion bill – expands the crime of extortion to include demands for sex and images of intimate body parts.
New legislation requires middle and high schools with at least 40% of students at the poverty threshhold to supply free female products – such as tampons. Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, the measure’s author, was also behind a bill that would have eliminated the sales tax on female products — arguing it punishes women for their biology — but the legislation was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown.
