2023 California Policy Priorities

Each year, the Alliance focuses on a slate of policies that advance race and gender justice by transforming systems failing our boys and men of color, their families and communities.

To see our 2023 California policy priorities, click here or expand the boxes below.

Education Equity

SB 274 (SKINNER) END DEFIANCE SUSPENSIONS, KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL

Ends the practice of suspending students for defiance; and suspending or expelling students for tardiness or truancy—helping to keep youth in school and connected to support.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, ACLU Cal Action, Black Parallel School Board, Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition, Community Asset Development Re-defining Education (CADRE), C.O.P.E., Children Now, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Disability Rights California, East Bay Community Law Center, Generation Up, Mid-City CAN, Public Counsel, Youth Alliance, Youth Justice Education Clinic – Loyola Law School

AB 1323 (KALRA) EMPOWER EDUCATORS, PROTECT STUDENT

Eliminates state mandates that require educators to notify police of a broad range of student behaviors and incidents.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, ACLU Cal Action, Black Organizing Project, Black Parallel School Board, Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, Disability Rights California, Dolores Huerta Foundation, East Bay Community Law Center, Gente Organizada, Public Counsel, Social Justice Learning Institute

[IMPLEMENTATION] CA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Community-based organizations across the state are working to ensure the $4.1 billion CCSPP creates racially just, relationship-centered schools —where power and decision-making is shared with students, families, educators, and community—and investments promote police-free schools and restorative school cultures.

AB 958 (SANTIAGO) FAMILY UNITY BILL

Strengthens visiting rights for Californians and their loved ones who are incarcerated in California’s state prisons, supporting the emotional health of incarcerated people and their families.

Co-Sponsors: The Coalition for Family Unity

AB 1226 (HANEY) PROXIMITY BILL

Requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR) to respect the rights of minor children to remain in contact with their incarcerated parents. CDCR would be required to place an incarcerated parent, legal guardian, or caregiver of a minor as close to a child’s home as possible.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, Jesse’s Place, Place4Grace, Underground Scholars, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children

[AUDIT] LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS FUNDING (LEE)

Requests that the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approve an audit of law enforcement expenditures and recommendations for reducing the footprint of law enforcement by employing alternative responses.

AB 60 (BRYAN) COMMUNITY-BASED RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ACCESS

Ensures that victims are informed of community-based restorative justice options available in their region. The bill will increase access to healing-centered approaches to mitigate harm and promote non-punitive accountability.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, Community Works West, Centinela Youth Services, Insight Prison Project, A Division of Five Keys Schools & Programs, The Collective Healing and Transformation Project, Californians for Safety and Justice, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice

AB 1306 (CARRILLO) STOP ICE TRANSFERS

Protects immigrant community members from being transferred from California prisons to ICE detention centers after they are deemed eligible for release. By ending unnecessary transfers to dangerous ICE facilities, California can keep families and communities together and ensure Black, Latinx, and AAPI immigrants do not face double punishment of incarceration by ICE and possible deportation.

Co-Sponsored by the ICE out of California Coalition

[IMPLEMENTATION] CRISES ACT: POLICE FREE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

CRISES Act pilot program promotes police-free and community-based responses to local emergencies, including public health crises, mental health crises, intimate partner violence, natural disasters, and community violence.

AB 1512 (BRYAN) DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS TO FOSTER YOUTH

Prevents counties from taking critical social security and survivor benefits from foster youth and ensures that supplemental security income goes directly to foster youth. This bill will ensure that youth are provided the financial support they need to successfully transition out of the system.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, Youth Will, Alliance for Children’s Rights, Children’s Advocacy Institute, Children’s Law Center, Youth Law Center

AB 702 (JACKSON) PROMYSE ACT

Would help California fully realize the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act’s vision of providing collaborative, restorative, community-based services for young people and ensuring equitable representation and decision-making within county oversight bodies.

Co-sponsors: ABMoC, Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, Children’s Defense Fund-California, CURYJ, Fresh Lifelines for Youth, National Center for Youth Law, SBX Youth & Family Services

[IMPLEMENTATION] CALIFORNIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORPS

$60 million, over four years, to scale and expand the California Youth Leadership Corps program to 12 community colleges and provide over 1,800 students with the opportunity to gain work and leadership experience in community building.

[IMPLEMENTATION] CALIFORNIA YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

$65 million, over three years, to establish the Youth Apprenticeship Program, link together existing apprenticeship programs, and support with outreach and engagement of youth across the state.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, COYN, Youth Will

AB 1028 (MCKINNOR) CENTERING SURVIVOR SAFETY & HEALTH

Would eliminate requirements that healthcare providers notify law enforcement of a broad range of injuries related to domestic violence. The bill will mandate that victims of domestic violence get referred to domestic violence supports and ensures survivors are provided the agency and information they need to be safe and healthy.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, Futures Without Violence, UC Irvine Domestic Violence Law Clinic, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network, Los Angeles LGBT Center

[BUDGET] DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SERVICES & PROGRAMS

$44 million proposal that will create stable and ongoing funding for organizations that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence, prevention programming, and invest in innovative approaches to ending domestic and sexual violence in California.

Co-Sponsors: ABMoC, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, ValorUS, Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network

To see our 2022 policy priorities, please see here.