Asm. Josh Lowenthal

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 3, 2024, as Family Justice Center Day in California to recognize the work of organizations supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It directly affects the California Family Justice Network and its 27 affiliated centers, which provide coordinated services such as legal aid, mental health support, and police assistance under one roof. The measure highlights the importance of these centers by noting they serve over 70,000 trauma victims annually, including more than 20 percent who are children. By officially acknowledging this date, the legislation aims to raise awareness about the critical role these centers play in helping survivors access necessary resources.

This measure would declare the month of June 2024 as Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month, would recognize Thursday, June 20, 2024, as The Longest Day, and would urge all Californians to commemorate the month of June 2024 as Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2024 as California Mountain Biking Month to recognize the sport's history, economic impact, and health benefits within the state. The measure directly affects mountain biking enthusiasts, trail users, and related organizations by officially acknowledging the activity's role in recreation and tourism. The resolution highlights how the industry contributes billions to the economy and supports over 17,000 jobs while promoting outdoor fitness and community building. By proclaiming this specific month, the legislation aims to encourage public participation in off-road cycling and celebrate California's status as a global hub for the sport.

Existing law establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs, which is composed of specified boards that license and regulate various professions. This bill would require those boards to prioritize African American applicants seeking licenses under these provisions, especially applicants who are descended from a person enslaved in the United States. The bill would repeal those provisions on January 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution commemorates the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The text recounts the historical events leading to American independence, including the adoption of the Lee resolution and the drafting of the Declaration by the Committee of Five. It highlights the document's declaration of the United States as a new nation founded on the principle that all people are created equal with unalienable rights. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of these historical milestones and the enduring significance of the Declaration's ideals.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution aims to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid abuse and promote the use of non-opioid treatments for pain. It directly addresses the California Health and Human Services Agency, the State Department of Health Care Services, and other state entities by requesting they prioritize education on these issues. The bill encourages healthcare providers to consider non-opioid alternatives that are as effective as prescription drugs but carry lower risks of addiction and overdose. By focusing on public and provider awareness, the resolution seeks to support safer pain management practices across the state.

Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physical therapists by the Physical Therapy Board of California, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. That act defines physical therapy as the art and science of physical or corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment of any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive exercise. Existing law, the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine by the Veterinary Medical Board, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. That act makes it unlawful for any person to practice veterinary medicine in this state without a license and provides that the practice of veterinary medicine includes, among other things, the treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of an animal. This bill would authorize a licensed physical therapist to be registered with the Veterinary Medical Board as a registered animal physical therapist and to provide animal physical rehabilitation, as defined, to an animal if specified requirements are met, including that the registered animal physical therapist performs all delegated animal rehabilitation tasks under the supervision of a veterinarian who has an established veterinarian-client-patient-relationship with the animal. The bill would authorize an animal physical rehabilitation assistant, as defined, to assist with delegated animal rehabilitation tasks subject to specified conditions, including that the tasks are performed under the direct supervision of a registered animal physical therapist. The bill would require the owner or operator of an animal physical rehabilitation facility, as defined, to submit a registration application to the Veterinary Medical Board and pay a registration fee, as prescribed. This bill would require the Veterinary Medical Board to determine qualifications necessary for a physical therapist to register with the board to provide animal physical rehabilitation and would require the Veterinary Medical Board to create the registration form and determine the registration process. The bill would authorize the Veterinary Medical Board to discipline a registered animal physical therapist, as specified, and would require the Veterinary Medical Board to report disciplinary actions against a registered physical therapist to the Physical Therapy Board of California. This bill would make a violation of the provisions by a licensee of the Physical Therapy Practice Act unprofessional conduct. The bill would establish fees for the issuance and renewal of a registration in animal physical rehabilitation and initial and annual renewal fees for registration of an animal physical rehabilitation facility, which would be deposited in the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 2024 as Rett Syndrome Awareness Month in California to highlight the condition and promote public understanding. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects females, causing significant neurological challenges such as loss of motor skills, speech, and walking ability. The resolution aims to increase awareness among medical professionals, researchers, educators, and the general public to support ongoing efforts to find a cure. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the disease and the need for continued research.

Existing law makes it a crime to possess, cultivate, and administer specified controlled substances, including psilocybin and psilocyn. Existing law makes it a crime for a person to rent, lease, or make available for use any building or room for the purpose of storing or distributing any controlled substance. Existing law authorizes forfeiture of property used for specified crimes involving controlled substances. This bill, the Heal Our Heroes Act, would, until January 1, 2028, establish the Psychedelic-Assisted Facilitation Pilot Program. The bill, as part of the pilot program, would authorize the public health officers of the City and County of San Francisco, the County of San Diego, and the County of Santa Cruz to approve entities to establish and operate up to 5 psychedelic-assisted facilitation centers per jurisdiction to administer psilocybin or psilocyn to patients meeting specified criteria, including being a veteran or former first responder over 21 years of age who has passed a suitability screening, as defined. The bill would authorize the jurisdictions to issue up to 3 permits to cultivate, as specified. The bill would require the public health officers to consult with experts in psilocybin or psilocyn facilitation on program design, to issue facilitator permits only to licensed physicians and surgeons and to report certain data and an evaluation of the program to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2027. The bill would exempt a person from, among other things, civil liability, professional discipline, or existing criminal sanctions, solely for good faith actions, conduct, or omissions in compliance with the pilot program. The bill would make related findings and declarations.

This measure would celebrate the history and culture of lowriding and cruising, encourage local officials and law enforcement to work with local car clubs to conduct safe cruising events, and declare the first Sunday of summer to be observed as California Lowrider Day.