Rep. Marie Waldron

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October as California Promotoras Month to honor the work of community health workers who bridge gaps between underserved populations and the healthcare system. Promotoras, who are often women-led and serve as trusted cultural brokers, provide education and support in areas like maternal health and chronic disease management within their communities. The resolution formally acknowledges their essential role in addressing health inequities and recognizes the leadership of the organizations that employ or support them. By declaring this specific month, the Assembly aims to raise public awareness about the contributions of these workers without changing any laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in California to raise public awareness about the disease. It acknowledges the significant impact of childhood cancer on patients and their families while highlighting the state's commitment to supporting research and prevention efforts. The resolution also recognizes the vital work of organizations like the American Cancer Fund for Children and Lions Clubs International in providing support services. By declaring this month, the Assembly aims to encourage governmental officials and the public to learn more about the challenges and needs associated with childhood cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of October 6 through October 12, 2024, as National 4-H Week throughout California. It directly affects the nearly 6 million young people participating in the 4-H youth development program and the volunteers who support them. The resolution formally recognizes the organization's role in fostering leadership skills and encourages the celebration of 4-H's contributions to health, science, and civic engagement during that specific week.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in California to highlight the disease's impact, particularly on African American communities. It encourages the state to allocate funds for outreach, education, research, and treatment while also calling for the development of chronic kidney disease screening programs with genetic testing referrals. The resolution aims to raise public knowledge about the condition and support better care outcomes for those affected.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific periods in 2024 as Boat People Awareness Week and Month to honor Vietnamese refugees who fled their country by sea after the Vietnam War. The resolution highlights the historical hardships these individuals faced, including dangerous voyages and high mortality rates, while acknowledging their significant contributions to communities across California. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a commemorative measure to recognize the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese refugee community. The text is intended to be shared with the bill's author for public distribution to raise awareness about this historical event.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes August 15, 2024, as India's Independence Day and encourages all Californians to participate in celebrations honoring the occasion. It directly affects the residents of California, particularly the state's large Indian American community, by formally acknowledging the historical significance of the date when India gained independence from British rule. The measure does not create new laws or change government operations; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the cultural contributions of Indian Americans and the shared values of democracy and nonviolence between the two nations.

This measure would declare the month of June 2024 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and would recognize June 10 as the Day of Portugal and May 20 as the Day of the Azores.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes June 21, 2024, as the 2024 International Day of Yoga within the state of California. It does not create new laws or change existing regulations but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the global event. The measure is intended to highlight the history and benefits of yoga as a wellness practice.

This measure would designate the week of June 23, 2024, to June 29, 2024, inclusive, and every third week of June thereafter, as Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week.

Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, requires the Department of Managed Health Care to license and regulate health care service plans and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law also requires the Department of Insurance to regulate health insurers. Existing law requires a health care service plan or disability insurer, as specified, to base medical necessity determinations and the utilization review criteria the plan or insurer, and any entity acting on the plan's or insurer's behalf, applies to determine the medical necessity of health care services and benefits for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, on current generally accepted standards of mental health and substance use disorder care. This bill would require a health care service plan and a disability insurer, and an entity acting on a plan's or insurer's behalf, to ensure compliance with specific requirements for utilization review, including maintaining telephone access and other direct communication access during California business hours for a health care provider to request authorization for mental health and substance use disorder care and conducting peer-to-peer discussions regarding specific patient issues related to treatment. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.