Sen. Melissa A. Melendez

This measure would designate that January 20, 2014, be observed as the official memorial of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth and commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement in changing public policy in California and in the United States of America. This measure would also recognize the anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington in connection with the advancement of civil rights.

Existing law establishes the segments of the public postsecondary education system in the state, including the University of California administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law exempts a community college student who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from paying nonresident tuition for up to one year if he or she files an affidavit with the community college stating that he or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible, if that student uses this exemption within 2 years of being discharged. Existing law prohibits a former member of the Armed Forces who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from receiving this exemption. Existing law provides that the statutory provisions relating to student residency requirements for public postsecondary education apply to the University of California only to the extent that the regents act, by resolution, to make these provisions applicable. This bill would make this one-year exemption from payment of nonresident tuition applicable to a student enrolled, or intending to enroll, at a campus of the California Community Colleges, or as an undergraduate at a campus of the California State University, who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged if he or she files an affidavit with the institution at which he or she is enrolled, or intends to enroll, stating that he or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible, and uses this exemption within 2 years of being discharged. The bill would request the regents to enact regulations and procedures that exempt from nonresident tuition students of that university who meet the requirements applicable to students of the California Community Colleges and the California State University for the exemption of the bill.

Existing law requires a court to consider specified factors in awarding spousal support, including documented evidence of any history of domestic violence, as defined, between the parties. This bill would require a court to also consider as a factor domestic violence perpetrated by either party against either party's child, as specified.

This measure would proclaim October 5, 2013, as California Firefighters Memorial Day.

This measure would recognize September 2013 as Hmong History Month, urge all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of the Hmong people during Hmong History Month, and encourage the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that the Hmong people make to their communities.

This measure would formally endorse the invaluable work of California's Africana studies programs, and their faculty, staff, and students. The measure would recognize the leadership provided by the beneficiaries of those programs, and would support the continuation of Africana studies programs in California's institutions of higher education.

This measure would designate September 22, 2013, and September 22, 2014, as "California Business Women's Day" and would encourage all Californians to celebrate the occasion with appropriate activities.

This measure would designate October 2013 as Internet Crimes Against Children Awareness Month and state that the Legislature supports increased funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces, online communications systems, or computer technology to help detect the sexual exploitation of children, updating reporting laws, and strengthening disclosure laws.

This measure would recognize the month of October 2013 as Filipino American History Month and the 426th anniversary of the first presence of Filipinos in the continental United States.