California lawmakers wrapped up their second-to-last week of work for the year Friday by advancing new high school sex education requirements and a ban on the sale of plastic microbeads.
The microbead ban passed the Senate 24-14 one day after falling two votes short. If approved by the Assembly next week and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, it would take effect in 2020.
“Once again, California will lead the world in very important public policy that other communities will adopt,” said Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), who called the legislation “monumental.”
The Senate sent the governor a bill requiring high schools to include sexual violence prevention in their curriculum – and to teach students that sex is not consensual unless both people agree.
Brown signed a measure that bans homeowner associations from issuing fines for replacing grass with artificial turf. It takes effect immediately.
But lawmakers sidelined two high-profile issues: the lifting of the “maximum family grant” rule, which blocks additional aid for children born to families receiving welfare; and the push for a federal exemption that would allow immigrants living in the state illegally to pay for health insurance through Covered California. Authors of both measures say they’ll try again in January.
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