Press Releases

Gender Recognition Act and Eight Other Atkins’ Bills Advance in the Assembly

June 30, 2017

Nine bills authored by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) have moved forward in the state Assembly:

Statement of Senators Lara and Atkins on Status of Healthy California Act

June 29, 2017

Senators Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), the joint authors of the Healthy California Act (Senate Bill 562), released this statement in response to the Assembly Rules Committee’s decision not to hear the bill before the July 14 legislative deadline:

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Reveal of U.S. Senate Healthcare Bill

June 22, 2017

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding the bill that U.S. Senate Republicans are proposing to replace the Affordable Care Act:

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Passage of 2017-18 State Budget

June 15, 2017

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding the passage of a 2017-18 state budget:

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Senate Passage of SB 562 – the Healthy California Act

June 1, 2017

Today, the California Senate passed SB 562 – the Healthy California Act, legislation by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that would create a universal, single-payer healthcare system in California. Atkins reacted with the following statement:

Landmark LGBTQ Legislation Advances: Senate Passes Atkins’ SB 179 and SB 310

May 31, 2017

Two bills authored by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that enhance rights for transgender Californians passed today on the Senate floor.

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on U.S. House Vote to Repeal and Replace Affordable Care Act

May 4, 2017

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act:

Senate Passes Atkins’ Bill to Strengthen Firefighter Labor Rights

May 4, 2017

The California Senate today passed SB 548, legislation by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that will allow local firefighters to take claims of unfair labor practices to court if the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) is unable to rule on their grievances within 150 days or opts not to issue a decision. The vote was 30-4.

Senate Passes Toni Atkins’ Bill to Help Convict Sex Traffickers

May 1, 2017

The California Senate today passed SB 230, legislation by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that will help prosecutors convict predators who traffic in sex slavery. The bill passed by a vote of 36-0.

SB 230 adds the crimes of sex trafficking, pimping and pandering to the list of exceptions to the rule prohibiting the introduction of character evidence during trial. The other exceptions to this rule include cases involving sexual offenses and cases of domestic violence, elder or dependent abuse and child abuse.

Healthcare, Human-Trafficking and Gender-Identity Fixes Highlight 10 Atkins Measures that Advance this Week in the Senate

April 27, 2017

Ten pieces of legislation authored by Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) moved forward this week – highlighted by bills that would establish a universal, single-payer healthcare system in California; give prosecutors an additional tool to bring sex traffickers to justice; and ease the name- and gender-change process for transgender, nonbinary and intersex people.