Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, as 2 of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law provides for the missions and functions of these segments, and states that the University of California has the sole authority in public higher education to award doctoral degrees in all fields of learning, except that it may agree with the California State University to award joint doctoral degrees in selected fields. However, existing law authorizes the California State University to offer doctoral programs in education, audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy without that agreement. This bill would authorize the California State University to award the Doctor of Public Health degree. The bill would require the Doctor of Public Health degree programs to be focused on health and scientific knowledge translation and transformative community leadership, and to be designed to address the community public health workforce needs of California and prepare qualified professionals to be leaders and experienced practitioners who apply their advanced knowledge in service to California's diverse communities. The bill would require each student in these degree programs to be charged fees comparable to, but no higher than, those fees charged for the Doctor of Public Health degree at the University of California.
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(1) Existing unemployment compensation disability law requires workers to pay contribution rates based on wages received in employment, for payment into the Unemployment Compensation Disability Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury. Under existing law, those funds are continuously appropriated for the purpose of providing disability benefits and making payment of expenses in administering those provisions. Existing law authorizes the Director of Employment Development to increase or decrease the rate of worker contributions, up to a certain amount, if the director determines the adjustment is necessary to reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Disability Fund for disability benefits paid or estimated to be paid or to prevent the accumulation of funds in excess of those needed to maintain an adequate fund balance. Under existing law, the remuneration of a worker over a specified amount is not subject to the contribution levels described above. Under existing law, specifically, the worker contribution provision does not apply to that part of a worker's remuneration which is paid after remuneration with respect to employment equal to 4 times the maximum weekly benefit for each calendar year specified, multiplied by 13 and divided by 55%, has been paid to an individual by an employer. This bill would remove that limitation on January 1, 2024. (2) Existing unemployment compensation disability law provides a formula for determining benefits available to qualifying disabled individuals. Under existing law, for periods of disability commencing on and after January 1, 2018, but before January 1, 2023, (A) if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is less than $929, the weekly benefit amount is $50, (B) if the amount of wages paid to the individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is $929 or more, and is less than 13 of the amount of the state average quarterly wage, the weekly benefit amount is 70% of those wages divided by 13, and (C) if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is 13 of the amount of the state average quarterly wage or more, the weekly benefit amount is the greater of 23.3% of the state average weekly wage or 60% of those wages divided by 13. Under existing law, for periods of disability commencing on and after January 1, 2023, if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest exceeds $1,749.20, the weekly benefit amount is 55% of those wages divided by 13. Under existing law, a benefit that is not a multiple of $1 shall be computed to the next higher multiple of $1, and the amount of the benefit is prohibited from exceeding the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount. Under existing law, the maximum amount of benefits payable to an individual during any one disability benefit period is 52 times their weekly benefit amount, as specified. This bill would revise the formulas described above by extending the formula applicable for periods of disability commencing on and after January 1, 2018, but before January 1, 2023, through periods of disability commencing before January 1, 2025. The bill would revise the formula for periods of disability commencing after January 1, 2025, by redefining the weekly benefit amount to be equal to (A) $50 if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is less than $722.50, (B) the greater of 70% of wages divided by 13, but not exceeding the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount, or 63% of the state average weekly wage, if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is more than 70% of the state average quarterly wage, and (C) 90% of wages divided by 13, but not exceeding the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount, if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is $722.50 or more, but 70% or less than the state average quarterly wage. (3) Existing law establishes, within the above state disability insurance program, a family temporary disability insurance program, also known as the paid family leave program, for the provision of wage replacement benefits for up to 8 weeks to workers who take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a minor child within one year of birth or placement, as specified. Existing law defines "weekly benefit amount" for purposes of both employee contributions and benefits under this program to mean the amount of weekly benefits available to qualifying disabled individuals pursuant to unemployment compensation disability law, calculated pursuant to specified formulas partly based on the applicable percentage of the wages paid to an individual for employment by employers during the quarter of the individual's disability base period in which these wages were highest, but not to exceed the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount established by the Department of Industrial Relations. This bill would revise the formula for the weekly benefit amount under the family temporary disability insurance program to conform to the changes for periods of disability commencing before January 1, 2025. The bill would also revise the formula for periods of disability commencing on or after January 1, 2025, by redefining the weekly benefit amount to be equal to (A) $50 if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is less than $722.50, (B) the greater of 70% of wages divided by 13, but not exceeding the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount, or 63% of the state average weekly wage, if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is more than 70% of the state average quarterly wage, and (C) 90% of wages divided by 13, but not exceeding the maximum workers' compensation temporary disability indemnity weekly benefit amount, if the amount of wages paid an individual during the quarter of their disability base period in which those wages were highest is $722.50 or more, but 70% or less than the state average quarterly wage. (4) By providing for the deposit of additional contributions in, and by authorizing an increase in disbursements from, the Unemployment Compensation Disability Fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, which consists of various departments, including the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Existing law vests in the Natural Resources Agency various powers, including those related to conservation of lands. This bill would establish the Equitable Outdoor Access Act, which sets forth the state's commitment to ensuring all Californians can benefit from, and have meaningful access to, the state's rich cultural and natural resources. The bill would declare that it is state policy, among other things, to ensure that all Californians have equitable opportunities to safe and affordable access to nature and access to the benefits of nature, and to prevent and minimize the intentional and unwarranted limitation of sustainable public access to public lands, where appropriate, including, but not limited to, local, regional, state, and federal parks, rivers, lakes, beaches, forests, mountain ranges, deserts, and other natural landscapes. The bill would require specified state agencies to consider and incorporate, as appropriate, the state policy when revising, adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, or grant criteria, or making expenditures, as specified. The bill would require all state agencies implementing the above-described state policy to do so in a manner consistent with the mission of their agency and that protects the health and safety of the public and conserves natural and cultural resources. The bill would require the state to encourage the types of access that promote, and are consistent with, specified conservation goals. The bill would require the Natural Resources Agency to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature with information related to the implementation of these provisions on or before January 1, 2024.
Existing law generally requires that an inmate released on parole or postrelease community supervision be returned to the county of last legal residence. Existing law authorizes an inmate to be returned to another county or city if it would be in the best interests of the public. Existing law requires the paroling authority, in making that decision, to consider specified factors, including, among others, the need to protect the life or safety of a victim, and the verified existence of a work offer or educational or vocational training program. This bill would, for the factor relating to the verified existence of a work offer or educational or vocational training program, require that the offer or training program be chosen by the inmate. The bill would additionally add as a factor the existence of a housing option in another county, as specified. The bill would require the inmate, absent evidence that the parole transfer would present a threat to public safety, to be released in the county in the location of a verified existence of a postsecondary educational or vocational training program of the inmate's choice, or of a verified existence of a work offer, the inmate's family, outpatient treatment, or housing. The bill would also require a person on parole, absent that it would present a threat to public safety, to be granted a permit to travel outside the county of commitment to a location where the person has postsecondary educational or vocational training program opportunities, an employment opportunity, or inpatient or outpatient treatment. The bill would require a person on parole, absent that it would present a threat to public safety, to be granted approval of an application to transfer residency and parole to another county where the person has a verified existence of a postsecondary educational or vocational training program chosen by the inmate, or a verified existence of a work offer, the person's family, inpatient or outpatient treatment, or housing. The bill would require a parole agent to provide a written response to these requests within 14 days, and, if they deny the request, to include in writing the reasons for why granting the request would present a threat to public safety. The bill would authorize the department and probation officers to extend those provisions to individuals released on postrelease community supervision, and would find and declare that the Legislature strongly encourages the department and probation officers to do so. The bill would make these changes operative on and after January 1, 2024.
Existing law prohibits a person or entity from providing the operation of a voice recognition feature within this state without prominently informing, during the initial setup or installation of a connected television, either the user or the person designated by the user to perform the initial setup or installation of the connected television. Existing law further prohibits any actual recordings of spoken word collected through the operation of a voice recognition feature by the manufacturer of a connected television, or a third party contracting with a manufacturer of a connected television, from being sold or used for any advertising purpose. Existing law prohibits a person or entity from compelling a manufacturer or other entity providing the operation of a voice recognition feature to build specific features for the purpose of allowing an investigative or law enforcement officer to monitor communications through that feature. Existing law prohibits a waiver of these prohibitions and authorizes their enforcement by injunction or civil penalty in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Attorney General or a district attorney. This bill would prohibit any images or video recordings collected through the operation of an in-vehicle camera from being used for any advertising purpose or being sold to any third party. The bill would also prohibit these images or video recordings from being shared with third parties, except as provided. The bill would also prohibit any recording obtained through operation of an in-vehicle camera from being retained at any location other than the vehicle itself, or being downloaded, retrieved, or otherwise accessed by a person or entity other than the user, as defined, without affirmative prior consent, as defined, except as provided. The bill would require a person or entity that provides the operation of an in-vehicle camera in this state to provide effective mechanisms for a consumer to revoke consent. The bill would prohibit a person or entity from compelling a manufacturer or other entity providing the operation of an in-vehicle camera to build specific features for the purpose of allowing an investigative or law enforcement officer to monitor images through that feature. The bill would prohibit a waiver of these protections, and would authorize their enforcement by injunction or civil penalty in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Attorney General or a district attorney. The bill would specify that these provisions do not apply to cameras installed in vehicles that are primarily for commercial use, as specified, and do not reduce the rights afforded to a consumer or the obligations imposed on a business under any applicable state or federal law, and that in the case of a conflict between these provisions and any other law, the law providing for the greater protection for the right of privacy for consumers controls.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including gas corporations and electrical corporations. Existing law requires the commission to ensure that an electrical corporation or gas corporation with a commission-approved program to provide discounts based on economic need uses a single application form to enable an applicant to alternatively apply for any assistance program for which the applicant may be eligible. This bill would require the commission, on or before June 30, 2024, in coordination and consultation with the Department of Community Services and Development and other relevant state agencies that provide low-income electric or gas utility customer assistance programs, to develop a process that enables customers to concurrently apply, or begin to apply, to multiple low-income customer assistance programs, as specified. Existing law establishes the Low-Income Oversight Board to advise the commission on low-income electric, gas, and water customer issues and to serve as a liaison for the commission to low-income ratepayers and representatives. The Moore Universal Telephone Service Act establishes the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program in order to provide low-income households with access to affordable basic residential telephone service. The act requires the program's third-party administrator to verify each subscriber's identity using the personally identifiable information that the administrator has on file. This bill would require the board, on or before June 30, 2023, to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the opportunity and process for expanding the third-party administrator contract used for the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program, or establishing a similar new contract, to include water, gas, and electric utility service for purposes of facilitating enrollment between low-income assistance programs, minimizing privacy and data sharing concerns, and expediting eligibility verification processes, as specified. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the above provisions would be part of the act and a violation of a commission action implementing this bill's requirements 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.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission, in collaboration with other relevant state agencies and stakeholders, to maintain and update a statewide, publicly accessible, and interactive map showing the accessibility of broadband service in the state. Existing law establishes, within the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology under the supervision of the Director of Technology, who also serves as the State Chief Information Officer. Under existing law, the Department of Technology is responsible for the approval and oversight of information technology projects. This bill would require the Department of Technology, on or before May 1, 2024, with input from relevant state agencies and stakeholders, to conduct, complete, and submit a report to specified legislative committees that reviews and identifies barriers to, and opportunities for, investment in, and efficient building of, broadband access points on private and government-owned structures and property, private and public lands and buildings, and public rights of way. The bill would also require the report to identify barriers to, and opportunities for, access to mobile and fixed broadband internet service infrastructure by low-income tribal, urban, and rural customers, and underserved communities. This bill would further require the report to provide recommendations on how to accelerate deployment of broadband access points to serve tribes, low-income customers, and disadvantaged or underserved communities. The bill would require the report, at a minimum, to consider the extent to which specified factors serve as barriers to investment or deployment of broadband access points and to make recommendations on how to overcome these barriers. The bill would define relevant terms.
Existing law requires a shared mobility service provider, as defined, to enter into an agreement with, or obtain a permit from, the city or county with jurisdiction over the area of use. Existing law defines shared mobility device to mean an electrically motorized board, motorized scooter, electric bicycle, bicycle, or other similar personal transportation device, except as provided. Existing law requires a city or county that authorizes a shared mobility device provider to operate within its jurisdiction to adopt operation, parking, and maintenance rules, as provided, regarding the use of the shared mobility devices in its jurisdiction before the provider may offer shared mobility devices for rent or use. This bill would require a shared mobility service provider to affix to each shared mobility device a tactile sign containing raised characters and accompanying Braille, as specified, to identify the device for the purpose of reporting illegal or negligent activity. Existing law requires that the shared mobility provider maintain a specified amount of commercial general liability insurance that, among other things, must be with a carrier doing business in California, in a user agreement before distributing a shared mobility device within that jurisdiction. This bill, rather than require the shared mobility service provider to maintain commercial general liability insurance with a carrier doing business in California, would require the coverage to be with an admitted insurer or a nonadmitted insurer, as specified. Starting July 1, 2023, this bill would require a shared mobility service provider or user of a shared mobility device to offer or make available, or to confirm a user of a shared mobility device maintains, $10,000 of coverage for any bodily injury or death suffered by a pedestrian in any one accident when the injury or death involves, in whole or in part, the negligent conduct of the shared mobility device user, and $1,000 of coverage for any property damage to an assistive technology device, as defined. The bill would prohibit a shared mobility service provider from allowing a user or individual to operate or utilize a shared mobility device without the coverage, and would exempt bicycles propelled exclusively by human power and specified electric bicycles from these requirements. The bill would authorize a provider to partner with an insurer to provide coverage that meets or exceeds those requirements to its users via its digital application or other electronic or digital platform, and fund the cost of providing coverage in its standard fee or through a separate charge to users. The bill would require the shared mobility service provider to maintain coverage if a user does not maintain the required insurance coverage. The bill would authorize a provider to enter into agreements with users that maintain their own coverage that meets or exceeds the above requirements to exclude the user from the provider's coverage. The bill would also require a provider to keep an up-to-date list of its users that maintain their own coverage and transmit annually, to the Department of Insurance, information on the percentage of total users in the state that maintain their own coverage and the total number of users, as specified. The bill would specify that it does not prohibit a provider from requiring a user to enter into an indemnity contract, and would specify certain requirements that the indemnity contract would be required to meet. The bill would prohibit parties from waiving or modifying any of its provisions by contractual agreement, act, or omission. The bill would require a shared mobility service provider to disclose, in a specified manner, prior to allowing the user to initiate their first use of a device, that the customer's existing homeowner's, renter's, or automobile insurance policies might not provide coverage for liability resulting from the use of shared mobility devices and that the customer should contact their insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is provided. This bill would require, no later than December 31, 2026, the Department of Insurance to submit to the Legislature and insurance committees, as specified, a study that includes, among other things, recommendations to update shared mobility device insurance coverage requirements, how to strengthen the market for individual mobility device liability coverage, and whether there is a need for insurance coverage for injuries involving bicycles propelled exclusively by human power and specified electric bicycles.
Existing law establishes and regulates the state prison for the confinement of persons convicted of certain felony offenses. Existing law also regulates county jails used for the confinement of persons awaiting trial and persons convicted of misdemeanors and certain felony offenses. Existing law establishes the Board of State and Community Corrections to provide statewide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to promote effective state and local efforts and partnerships in California's adult and juvenile criminal justice system. The duties of the board, among others, include establishing standards for local correctional facilities and correctional officers. Under existing law, the board is composed of 13 members, as specified. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2023, add 2 additional members to the board, a licensed health care provider and a licensed mental health care provider, each appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The bill would also, commencing July 1, 2023, require the board to develop and adopt regulations pertaining to standards of care for incarcerated persons with mental health issues by local correctional facilities, including requirements for training of correctional staff, requirements for mental health screening, and requirements for safety checks of incarcerated persons.
The California Franchise Relations Act sets forth certain requirements relating to the termination, nonrenewal, and transfer of franchises between a franchisor, subfranchisor, and franchisee, as those terms are defined. This bill would require a franchisor and its affiliated companies, within 120 days of the end of the franchisor's fiscal accounting year, to report to its California franchisees, upon their request, any moneys, goods, services, anything of value, or any other benefit from any other entity with whom the franchisee does business on account of that business. Existing law, the Franchise Investment Law, requires a franchisor to register with the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation before the offer or sale of a franchise in this state, unless the franchisor meets prescribed requirements, including that the franchisor discloses specified terms and conditions of the franchise agreement to a prospective franchisee and provides a copy of the typical franchise agreement in this state. Existing law prohibits specified fraudulent or unfair practices and makes a violation of those provisions a crime. This bill would prohibit a franchisor from executing an agreement that requires the assignment or waiver of a franchisee's right to a rebate, promotion, allowance, or other monetary incentive for the sale of a product within the state unless the agreement states the potential or current gross value of that right. The bill would specify that violation of this provision is not a crime.