SB 493 would ensure that survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment have equal access to education by reinforcing Obama-era Title IX regulations for federally funded California post-secondary educational institutions. First, SB 493 would uphold a college’s right to enforce Title IX compliance on instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment which take place off-campus but between individuals associated with the college. Moreover, the bill would require post-secondary institutions to publish in a prominent location on its website sexual violence and sexual harassment grievance procedures—ensuring constant and effortless access to this information. Lastly, SB 493 aims to ensure no-contact orders that are requested by the accused are used as a means of protection rather than as a method of intimidation.

More information about SASA’s stance on SB 493 can be found in our Letter of Support

Status: Assembly Appropriations

SB 22 would mitigate California’s grossly accumulating backlog of untested rape kid by imposing strict regulations and deadlines on the processing of forensic evidence of sexual assault examinations. First, this bill would mandate that law enforcement submit all evidence collected during a forensic examination to a crime lab for analysis. Additionally, this bill would mandate that this primary crime lab send this evidence to a secondary crime lab to determine whether DNA is present. If DNA is detected, SB 22 would require that all collected DNA evidence be uploaded to the Combined DNA Index system within 120 days. These requirements would shorten a process that currently takes years to less than six months—ensuring survivors obtain timely systemic justice.

More information about SASA’s stance on SB 22 can be found in our Letter of Support

Status: Chaptered

AB 538 would serve as a crucial step towards ensuring the implementation of best practices during and increasing access to forensic examinations. If implemented, AB 538 would require the California Clinical Forensic Medical Training Center (CCFMTC) to provide training on best practices and technical assistance for medical evidentiary examinations, emerging trends, and sound operational practices. Moreover, AB 538 would require the CCFMTC to conduct an annual assessment regarding training needs for sexual assault forensic examination teams. In order to increase access to forensic examinations, SB 538 would expand the definition of “Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner” to include “qualified healthcare professionals,” such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who have been trained in the standardized sexual assault medical curriculum.

More information about SASA’s stance on AB 538 can be found in our Letter of Support

Status: Chaptered

AB 1000 would mandate a student voice be represented in the reviewing and updating of university policies relating to sexual assault and sexual harassment. If implemented, this would improve sexual assault and sexual harassment policies by allowing input from individuals who will most directly be affected by these protocols and procedures. With the passage of this bill, survivors and the student body as a whole would be granted a voice in discussions which predominantly affect their campus safety and experiences.

More information about SASA’s stance on AB 1000 can be found in our Letter of Support

Status: Chaptered

AB 381 would delineate educational topics which outline the warning signs of intimate partner and dating violence and provide students with information on how to contact on- and/or off- campus resources. First, this bill would require that the following intimate partner and dating violence content be provided to incoming students during orientation: warning signs, campus policies, on- and/or off-campus resources, and prevention and bystander trainings. Moreover, this bill would also require that this information account for the specific needs of the graduate, transfer, and international student populations. The enforcement of AB 381 would ensure that all California higher educational institutions adhere to a common standard regarding intimate partner and domestic violence education—ensuring that a greater number of incoming students will have considerable access to this necessary information.

More information about SASA’s stance on AB 381 can be found in our Letter of Support

Status: Chaptered