Sen. Josh Newman

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 114 is a non-binding tribute from the California State Senate honoring President Joseph Biden for his extensive public service career. The resolution details his background, legislative achievements, and leadership roles as a senator, vice president, and president, specifically highlighting his work on infrastructure, climate action, and pandemic response. It concludes by formally thanking the President for stepping down to allow new leaders to take office and directs the Senate Secretary to distribute copies of the resolution.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain dental services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services are covered under Medi-Cal for an individual under 21 years of age in accordance with certain federal provisions. Under existing law, for persons 21 years of age or older, laboratory-processed crowns on posterior teeth are a covered benefit when medically necessary to restore a posterior tooth back to normal function based on the criteria specified in the Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria. This bill, The Smile Act, for purposes of the above-described Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns, would remove the condition that the tooth be posterior and would apply the coverage to persons 13 years of age or older. The bill would also add, as a covered Medi-Cal benefit for persons of any age, subject to prior authorization, a dental implant if tooth extraction or removal is medically necessary or if the corresponding tooth is missing. The bill would condition this coverage on there being no other covered functional alternatives for prosthetic replacement to correct the person's dental condition, as specified, on the person being without medical conditions for which dental implant surgery would be contraindicated, on receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and on the availability of federal financial participation. Under the bill, the above-described provisions would not be construed to exclude Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns on teeth or dental implants if otherwise required under EPSDT services.

The Planning and Zoning Law requires each county and city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city, which includes, among other mandatory elements, a housing element. That law requires, for the 4th and subsequent revisions of the housing element, the Department of Housing and Community Development (department) , in consultation with each council of governments, where applicable, to determine the existing and projected need for housing for each region, at least 2 years prior to the scheduled revision of the housing element, as specified. That law requires the department's determination to be based upon population projections produced by the Department of Finance and regional population forecasts developed by the council of governments and used for the preparation of the regional transportation plan, as specified. That law also requires the department to meet and consult with the council of governments regarding the assumptions and methodologies to be used to determine a region's housing need and requires the council of governments to provide data assumptions from the council of governments' projections, as specified. That law authorizes the department to accept or reject the information provided by the council of governments and, requires the department, after consultation with the council of governments, to make determinations on the data assumptions and the methodology the department will use to determine the region's housing need, as specified. That law requires the department to provide its determinations to the council of governments, as specified. This bill would for the 8th and subsequent revisions of the housing element require the department to convene and engage stakeholders to consider improvements to the process of determining the existing and projected housing need for each region before determining any region's existing projected housing need. The bill would require the department, prior to finalization of the regional determination, as specified, to publish on the department's internet website a summary of the information the department considered and determinations made by the department to improve the process of determining the existing and projected housing need for each region. The bill would additionally require the department to publish on its internet website the data sources, analyses, and methodology, including assumptions and factors used in and applied to the Department of Finance's population projections and engagement process with the council of governments prior to finalization of the regional determination. The bill would additionally require the department to publish its determinations on the data assumptions and methodology it will use to determine a region's housing need on the department's internet website.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the week of September 8 through September 14, 2024, as "Suicide Prevention Week in California." The measure aims to raise public awareness about suicide as a significant public health issue and to highlight the efforts of organizations working to prevent suicide and support survivors. By aligning the proclamation with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the resolution seeks to emphasize the importance of recognizing warning signs and reducing stigma associated with mental health. The text does not impose new laws or funding requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage community engagement and education during this specific period.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commemorates the history and contributions of Pakistani Americans in California while celebrating the friendly relations between the United States and Pakistan. The document highlights the achievements of Pakistani immigrants in various fields such as technology, medicine, and government, and encourages Californians to recognize their cultural heritage and ongoing contributions. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of the community's role in the state's diversity rather than proposing new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 112 is a non-binding request asking the U.S. Congress to pass and the President to sign a federal law that would expand universal free school meals nationwide. The resolution highlights that California already has such a program and cites research suggesting it improves student health, attendance, and academic performance while reducing stigma and administrative costs. By formally urging federal action, the bill aims to replicate California's model across the country to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals regardless of their family's income.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 95 is a non-binding statement that formally recognizes the importance of literacy in California and calls for schools to adopt curricula based on the science of reading. The resolution urges educational institutions to identify students who struggle with reading and provide them with remediation or referrals to support services. It also encourages collaboration among schools, community groups, and businesses to improve literacy rates and allocates no specific funding or mandates. Because this is a resolution rather than a bill, it expresses the Senate's position without creating new laws or changing state statutes.

This measure would, among other things, urge the United States Congress and President Joseph R. Biden to support a $100,000,000 supplemental funding request to address the ongoing impacts on public health, the environment, and the local economy caused by cross-jurisdictional pollution from the Navy North Hangar Fire. The measure would also urge President Biden to declare a national emergency due to those ongoing impacts, and would urge President Biden and the United States Congress to include in future federal budgets sufficient ongoing operational and maintenance funding for Navy North Hangar Fire remediation.

This measure would condemn any act of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian discrimination in the State of California in order to promote tolerance and acceptance of people of all religious beliefs, ethnicities, and national origins. This measure would also declare that it's intent is not to diminish the rights of anyone to freely engage in any speech or other activity protected by the United States Constitution.

This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2024, and every June thereafter, as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and would reiterate the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state.