Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1291735
AB 331: Ethnic Studies On governor's desk at press time. Authored by Assembly Member Jose Medina (D-Riverside), AB 331 will ensure that all students have the opportunity to take ethnic studies by making it a California high school graduation require- ment, starting in the 2025-26 school year. "For too long, the experiences and contributions of people of color have been left out of the classroom," Medina says. "Ethnic studies courses empower students and help build culturally com- petent citizens. Requiring ethnic studies will help ensure that all students learn a more holistic and representative history of the United States and foster a deeper understanding of our commonali- ties and differences." The governor 's signature would make this the first time in decades that a new course is added as a California high school graduation requirement. AB 3088: Renter Protection Signed by Gov. Newsom Aug. 31. Authored by Assembly Member David Chiu (D-San Francisco), AB 3088 prohibits evictions for unpaid rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with protections in place through Jan. 31, 2021. SB 1159: Protecting Employees Signed by Gov. Newsom Sept. 17. Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) authored SB 1159, which codifies Gov. Newsom's executive order issued in March to protect "essential employees" who contract COVID by presuming they were infected on the job and are therefore eligible for workers' compensation. Other employees who weren't originally included in the order were also added as part of this bill. SB 820: Education Funding Signed by Gov. Newsom Sept. 18. The education trailer bill, SB 820, includes a variety of elements clarifying language in the budget trailer bill enacted in July, includ- ing enrollment growth in average daily attendance funding and hold harmless apportionments to ensure school employees are paid. AB 2101: CalSTRS Credit On governor's desk at press time. To clarify concerns, AB 2101 ensures that paid administrative leave is included as CalSTRS creditable service. Bonta Medina Santiago 40 cta.org Advocacy