California flag on the round button isolated on white.Below is an update on CALCASA’s legislative priorities for 2014. This Spring was a busy time at the Capitol and we are thrilled to share our legislative success with you. All of our sponsored legislation has passed out of it’s House of origin and will move to the second House. Below is a list of all our legislative priorities, their status and an overview of the intent of the legislation. Please let us know if you have any questions.
In the coming months, we may be contacting our member agencies for letters of support from their centers or for their assistance in mobilizing stakeholders via an on-line advocacy portal. Please stay tuned for updates.
AB 1517 (Skinner) – Sponsored by CALCASA, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, and Natasha’s Justice Project
Status:  AB 1517 passed the State Assembly on May 28, 2014. AB 1517 will now move to the State Senate and will be heard in the Public Safety Committee.
Overview: AB 1517 would encourage a law enforcement agency to submit sexual assault forensic evidence to the crime lab as soon as practically possible, but no later than 10 days after being booked into evidence, and hat the crime lab process evidence, create DNA profiles when able, and upload qualifying DNA profiles into the Combined DNA System (CODIS) as soon as practically possible, but not later than 60 days after the evidence is submitted by a law enforcement agency, in order to ensure the longest possible statute of limitations.
AB 2545 (Lowenthal) – Sponsored by CALCASA
Status: AB 2545 passed the State Assembly on May 8, 2014. AB 2545 will now move to the State Senate and will be heard in the Public Safety Committee.
Overview: AB 2545 would prohibit the denial of an application for compensation with respect to a claim based on sexual assault committed by military personnel against military personnel, solely because the sexual assault was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime. Under this bill, the CalVCP Board is required to consider other types of evidence in order to determine if a claim qualified for compensation.

SB 967 (de Leon) – Supported by CALCASA

Status: SB 967 passed the State Senate on May 29, 2014. SB 967 will now move to the State Assembly and will be heard in the Education Committee.
Overview: SB 967 would require CA colleges and universities, as part of their policy regarding campus sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and staking to include an affirmative consent standard. SB 967 would require colleges to adopt detailed and victim-centered sexual assault response policies and protocols that protect the confidentiality of students and follow best practices and professional standards. Additionally, SB 967 would require colleges and universities to enter into MOUs, agreements, or collaborative partnerships with existing on campus and community-based organization, including rape crisis centers, to assist victims with accessing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal and other support services.
SB 782 (deSaulnier) – Sponsored by CALCASA
Status: The bill passed Senate Governance and Finance Committee on 01/15/14, Senate Appropriations Committee on 01/21/14, and passed the Senate Floor vote on 01/22/14.  The bill is now being considered by the Assembly and will be scheduled for its first hearing in the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee (date to be determined).
Overview: SB 782 would allow an individual to designate on his or her tax return that a specified amount in excess of his or her tax liability be transferred to the California Sexual Violence Victims Services Fund, which would be created by this bill. The California Sexual Violence Victim Services Fund would not be added on the tax return until another voluntary contribution designation is removed or a space is available.
As reported in the January Executive Director’s report, if passed the tax check-off would enable CALCASA to make grants available to help rape crisis center programs in covering expenses such as: 1) Emergency back-up (hotline or in-person advocacy/accompaniment), 2) Emergency Fund Resources (transportation, hotel and food vouchers, 3) Community Education (augment CalOES CE funds and assist RCCs in addressing the gaps created by changes in the RPE program), 4) Training (self-defense workshops etc.).