We’re all winners when California laws are deeply rooted in our intersectional feminist values. This legislative cycle, we are celebrating incredible victories for our feminist policy agenda, and thanks to the unwavering commitment of our Solís Policy Institute fellows, our shared future shines a little brighter today.
Our dedicated State fellows at the Solís Policy Institute worked tirelessly, championing a total of four bills, and I’m delighted to announce that Governor Newsom has signed two of these bills into law: SB 474 and SB 521.
We won:
- Basic, Affordable Supplies for Incarcerated Californians (BASICs)
- SB 474, known as the BASICs Act, will require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to maintain active canteens at all facilities and sell all goods at the original price paid to vendors, creating more equity and access to basic needs.
- CalWorks: Pregnancy or Parenting – Economic Security
- SB 521 protects pregnant, parenting, and lactating students from potential Cal-Learn and CalWORKS penalties by adding destabilizing events and violations of Title IX protections to the lists of acceptable reasons for not meeting satisfactory progress requirements.
As we celebrate our successes, we also recognize the challenges we and our partners have faced. Even in a vetoed bill, like AB 957, these losses will form the foundation of our future. This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of SPI and our accomplishment of passing over 50 bills into intersectional feminist law.
We are also proud to continue collaborating with our coalition partners, Stronger California and the Future of Abortion Council, in our legislative efforts.
Our work is far from over and we will not be deterred from continuing to push for radical feminist policies.
Together, we are making a real difference in shaping a more just and equitable future for all.