Asm. Laura Friedman

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 14, 2024, as IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day to highlight a rare kidney disorder that affects approximately 150,000 people in the United States. The measure aims to increase public understanding of the condition, which currently has no cure and can lead to serious complications like the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. By officially recognizing this date, the legislation seeks to encourage support for patients and promote research into better diagnosis and treatment options. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to draw attention to the disease.

This measure would proclaim May 6, 2024, as California Holocaust Memorial Day and would urge all Californians to observe this day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust in an appropriate manner.

Existing law establishes the Geologic Energy Management Division within the Department of Conservation, under the direction of the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, who is required to supervise the drilling, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of oil and gas wells in the state and the operation, maintenance, and removal or abandonment of tanks and facilities related to oil and gas production within an oil and gas field, so as to prevent damage to life, health, property, and natural resources. Existing law requires the operator of any well, before commencing the work of drilling the well, to file with the supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of intention to commence drilling and prohibits drilling from commencing until approval is given, as provided. Existing law prohibits the division from approving any notice of intention within a health protection zone, except for approvals of notices of intention necessary for specified purposes. Existing law defines a "health protection zone" to mean the area within 3,200 feet of a sensitive receptor, which is defined to include a residence, education resource, as described, health care facility, or live-in housing, among other places, as provided. This bill would, after January 1, 2025, make an operator or owner of an oil or gas production facility or well with a wellhead presumptively, jointly and severally liable for a respiratory ailment in a senior or child, a preterm birth or high-risk pregnancy suffered by a pregnant person, and a person's cancer diagnosis if specified requirements are met, including the senior, child, pregnant person, or person diagnosed with cancer domiciled more than 24 cumulative months in a health protection zone, as defined, and was diagnosed after January 1, 2025. The bill would authorize certain affirmative defenses to be available to the operator or owner of an oil or gas production facility or well with a wellhead. This bill would authorize the Attorney General, a district attorney, a county counsel, or a city attorney to bring a civil action seeking reimbursement and reasonable interest for health care-related expenditures incurred by state or local taxpayer funded health care programs for treatment of respiratory illness suffered by seniors and children, preterm birth and high-risk pregnancies suffered by pregnant persons, and residents diagnosed with cancer. If a settlement or motion to dismiss an action brought pursuant to these provisions is brought by a person or entity that is not a public prosecutor, as described, the bill would prohibit the settlement or motion to dismiss from being effective or heard, until 30 days after a copy of the settlement or notice of motion has been served on the Attorney General and the city attorney, county counsel, and district attorney with jurisdiction over the health protection zone involved in the action. The bill would also require a civil penalty of not less than $250,000 and not more than $1,000,000 per senior, child, pregnant person, or person diagnosed with cancer to be imposed on an operator or owner of an oil or gas production facility or well with a wellhead in an action brought pursuant to these provisions. This bill would state that any waiver of these provisions is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. The bill would also state that duties and obligations imposed by these provisions are cumulative and in addition to any other duties or obligations imposed pursuant to any other law. The bill would also state that its provisions are severable.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the week of May 6 to May 10, 2024, as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California. It directly affects schools, students, educators, and community organizations by encouraging them to focus on mental well-being during that specific period. The measure includes no funding or new programs; it serves solely as a symbolic recognition to highlight the importance of student mental health and reduce stigma. By establishing this awareness week, the legislation aims to promote discussions about mental health without altering existing laws or budgets.

This measure would designate May 11, 2024, as Vietnam Human Rights Day in support of efforts to achieve freedom and human rights for the people of Vietnam. The measure would encourage Californians to commemorate the day with appropriate activities, including, but not limited to, rallies, ceremonies, and discussions.

This measure would proclaim May 6, 2024, as California Holocaust Memorial Day and would urge all Californians to observe this day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust in an appropriate manner.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes May 2024 as Older Americans Month in California. It highlights the state's commitment to supporting its aging population, which is projected to include one in four residents by 2030. The measure adopts the theme "Powered by Connection" to emphasize the importance of social relationships for health and well-being. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to acknowledge the demographic shift and encourage community engagement.

This measure would encourage each individual in the United States to become better informed and aware of kidney disease and APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) . The measure would encourage people from or with ancestry from Western and Central Africa to consider genetic testing for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene mutations. The measure would designate the last Tuesday of every April as APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution officially designates the month of May as Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month in California. The measure aims to increase public understanding of the condition, often known as flesh-eating bacteria, which is a rare but serious infection of the tissue under the skin. By recognizing this month, the state intends to encourage awareness and education about the disease's symptoms and causes without changing any laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in California. It encourages communities, schools, and organizations to focus on youth-serving prevention activities during this time and throughout the year. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to raise public awareness about the issue.