Sen. Nancy Skinner

This measure would recognize the Lunar New Year Celebration.

This measure would designate May 2012 as Lupus Awareness Month.

Existing law generally regulates mortgages and deeds of trust, including, among other things, recording mortgages and deeds of trust, disclosures in connection with mortgages and deeds of trust, and foreclosure procedures for mortgages and deeds of trust. This bill would prohibit a mortgage servicer, as defined, from obtaining a replacement policy of hazard, flood, or homeowner's insurance, collectively defined as "force-placed insurance," with respect to a residential property securing a mortgage loan, unless there is a reasonable basis to believe that the borrower has failed to comply with contract requirements to maintain hazard, flood, or homeowner's insurance. The bill would require, if a borrower's existing hazard, flood, or homeowner's insurance policy is paid through an escrow account, that the mortgage servicer advance payments to continue the borrower's existing policy, as specified. The bill would require a mortgage servicer to provide written notices, as specified, to a borrower prior to obtaining force-placed insurance. The bill would specify the circumstances, manner, and limitations under which a mortgage servicer may obtain force-placed insurance, and when a borrower is entitled to a refund from the mortgage servicer in connection with that insurance. The bill would authorize a borrower to bring a civil action in connection with the mortgage servicer's violation of the provisions of the bill. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, district attorney, or city attorney to bring an action for injunctive relief, and for restitution, disgorgement, or damages, as appropriate, for the affected borrowers. The bill would also authorize the Attorney General, district attorney, or city attorney to include a claim for costs, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses. The bill would further authorize the Attorney General, district attorney, or city attorney to ask the court to levy a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 against any mortgage servicer who violates the provisions of the bill.

This measure would recognize May 2012 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

This measure would declare the Legislature's recognition of the importance of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities for the health and development of all Californians. This measure would also declare July 2012 as "Parks Make Life Better!®" Month.

This measure would designate the month of April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, would recognize April 25, 2012, as Denim Day California, and would encourage everyone to wear jeans on that day to help communicate the message that there is no excuse for, and never an invitation to commit, rape.

This measure would declare May 23, 2012, as the 24th Annual State Scientist Day, as a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the state scientists who work on behalf of all the residents of California.

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 establishes the Higher Education Outreach and Assistance Act for Emancipated Foster Youth, which requires the Trustees of the California State University and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to perform specified services to assist emancipated foster youth. This bill would enact the Foster Youth Higher Education Preparation and Support Act of 2012, which would additionally require the California State University, and request the California Community Colleges and the University of California, to establish foster youth campus support programs, which are separate from the Higher Education Outreach and Assistance Act for Emancipated Foster Youth, to provide comprehensive support and outreach services, as specified, to current and former foster youth in an effort to retain foster youth in higher education. The bill would require the California State University, and request the California Community Colleges and the University of California, to designate a foster youth campus support program coordinator using new or existing resources. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services to annually notify foster youth 13 years of age or older, and those foster youths' caregivers, of the postsecondary educational support provided to them pursuant to this bill.

This measure would designate the week of April 15 to 21, 2012, as "National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week," and would encourage the promotion of policies and programs that seek to reduce cancer disparities and improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and followup care for all Californians.

This measure would designate the second full week in April as California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.