AAUW National Public Policy
Click HERE to view the National Public Policy Center or HERE to view the AAUW Public Policy Priorities.
AAUW CA Advocates for its Priorities with the Legislature
By Sue Miller and Joy Frew, AAUW CA Public Policy Committee
This year’s Lobby Days event, held on April 2nd and 3rd, was exciting and action-packed. 140 women on 43teams from 63 AAUW California branches met with 39 Assembly offices and 27 Senate offices. Eleven meetings took place in person in Sacramento, 55 meetings took place via Zoom, and the majority took place without ahitch.
While most meetings were conducted with legislative staff, we were able to hold eight meetings with the membersthemselves – five Assemblymembers and three Senators. We were not able to get a meeting for Zoom Team 7 with Assemblymember Hart, but they did even better when one of their members, Judy Frost from the Santa Maria branch, joined Assemblymember Hart on a hike and lobbied him on the hiking trail.
We were happy to learn that our organization was known to many of the legislative staff and legislators with whom our members met. Some staff had looked up our website prior to meeting and were impressed with programs such asTech Trek and Gov Trek. Most were supportive of advancing women’s equity.
The reception of our “Top 3” bills – AB 2843, AB 2326 and AB 2099 – was generally favorable. The offices were more familiar with the first two, both of which are sponsored by AAUW California. AB 2099 was new to them.You can find more information on these and all the bills we are supporting here: Bill Tracking Report – 2024 Legislative Session.
In short, AB 2843 eliminates cost sharing, including deductibles, from being imposed on any rape survivorseeking medical treatment following a rape. Insurers will be required to cover the full cost of medical care. AB2326 requires the chancellors or presidents from the University of California (UC), the California State
University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges, to provide an annual report publicly and orally to the Assembly and Senate Subcommittees on Education Finance on each institution’s compliance with TitleIX, including sexual assault. AB 2099 would make it possible for the D.A. to file a felony charge for sharingpersonal information or images of reproductive health care providers or patients, including on the internet, with the intent of causing them harm, if the posting and subsequent action results in bodily injury.
During our Lobby Days event, we were able to get our message across to those who make our laws and to highlight AAUW, our mission, accomplishments and the benefits we bring to our communities throughout California. It was anempowering exercise in advocacy and for those of you who participated,
AAUW California thanks you!
Check out our Public Policy Page on the AAUW California Website. You can read our current 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities which can be viewed here: 2023 – 2025 Public Policy Priorities (PPP) –AAUW California. Find information on the Legislative Agenda, Lobby Days, Legislative Calendar andCoalitions with other organizations. You can also learn the latest about the School Board Project!
PUBLIC POLICY: Title IX Update
On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Biden Administration released long-awaited guidance on the application andadministration of Title IX. The rule changes (1) rework Trump Administration guidance on the handling ofcampus sexual assault, providing expanded protections for survivors; and (2) expand Title IX protectionsagainst sex/gender-based harassment and discrimination to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Expansion of rights to the LGBTQ+ community via Title IX aligns this federal law with current
interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis ofsex/gender. AAUW national serves in a gender equity coalition supporting these changes. Stay tuned!
More information on this will be coming.