SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s legislative session saw significant developments on Tuesday as state lawmakers passed several notable proposals, including expanded protections for pregnant individuals in prison, a ban on legacy admissions at private colleges, and new requirements for addressing gender discrimination on college campuses.
In their final week of session, the California Legislature, led by a Democratic majority, is pushing through a flurry of bills before the Saturday deadline for sending them to Governor Gavin Newsom. The governor has until September 30 to act on the proposals, with options to sign, veto, or allow them to become law without his signature. Historically, Newsom has occasionally rejected bills due to budgetary concerns.
Among the notable bills passed:
Campus Gender Discrimination
The Legislature approved legislation requiring each California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campus to establish a dedicated office for handling sexual harassment complaints in compliance with Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. Additionally, a systemwide office would be mandated to oversee gender discrimination efforts across campuses. This bill follows a state auditor’s report highlighting mishandling of complaints within the UC and CSU systems. The bill is now poised for final approval in the Assembly.
Protections for Pregnant Incarcerated Individuals
The state Senate also passed several measures aimed at improving conditions for pregnant women in prison. One bill prohibits placing pregnant women and those up to 12 weeks postpartum in solitary confinement. It mandates the provision of clean bottled water and meals that adhere to nutrition standards. Another bill requires a social worker referral within a week of a pregnant woman’s prison entry to discuss parenting class options. New mothers would be allowed to remain in a medical facility post-birth as needed, with provisions for bonding time and breast milk storage. These proposals await final approval from the Assembly before reaching Newsom.
Reduction in Prison Beds and Facilities
A separate bill aims to significantly reduce the number of empty prison beds by 2030, aligning with cost-saving measures during a challenging budget year. The legislation seeks to lower the current 15,000 empty beds to 2,500 over the next six years, potentially facilitating the closure of five state prisons. Advocates argue that maintaining these beds is costly, while critics, including law enforcement, warn that the reduction could lead to overcrowding and limit space for rehabilitation programs.
Ban on Legacy Admissions
Additionally, the Senate passed a bill to prohibit private, nonprofit colleges from considering alumni or donor relationships in admissions decisions starting September 2025. This measure aims to level the playing field for all applicants, irrespective of socioeconomic background, and follows increased scrutiny of legacy admissions practices after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action.
Pending Assembly approval, these bills will be forwarded to Governor Newsom for final consideration.
