Legislation to honor veterans, Protect students and consumers clears appropriations committee

On May 27, the Assembly Committee on Appropriations approved three bills authored by assemblymember Ed Chau (D–Monterey Park).  The bills include efforts to increase free access for disabled veterans to state parks, provide schools with the tools necessary to address acts of cyberbullying, which result from sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, and advance privacy protections for consumers whose personal information may have been compromised during a data breach.

“I was pleased to see these bills move forward, because they honor our veterans for their service to our country and also address some of the growing challenges posed by technology, such as cyberbullying and data security,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau.

AB 1972 – would allow veterans with over a 50% service connected disability, and who were honorably discharged, to receive a free lifetime distinguished veteran pass to allow them entry into the state park system, regardless of whether or not they served during a war or conflict recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

AB 2536 – clarifies that sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, with the purpose or effect of humiliating or harassing a pupil, is a part of cyberbullying, and requires the Department of Education to update its website to provide information for school districts on how to address this form of bullying.

AB 2828 – sensibly expands data breach notification law, which currently requires notice to consumers of compromised unencrypted personal information, to also include encrypted information, if the encryption keys have also been compromised.

Assembly Passes legislation to honor disabled veterans

On June 1st the California State Assembly approved AB 1972, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D–Monterey Park), which would allow disabled veterans to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass, regardless of whether the disability is related to military service during wartime or peacetime. The bill passed the Assembly Floor with a 77-0 vote.

“While we can never properly thank members of our military for all they have done, I believe that those who were disabled during their time of service should receive the benefit of accessing our beautiful state parks at no cost,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau.

The California State Parks currently offers a special and free lifetime pass for qualified veterans to use all basic facilities in state parks at no charge.  In order to qualify for the Distinguished Veteran Pass, one must be an honorably discharged war veteran who is a resident of California with a 50% or more service-connected disability, or was held captive as a prisoner of war, or recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  However, veterans who served during peacetime and who have a 50% or more service-connected disability do not meet the statutory requirements, and are therefore ineligible for the Distinguished Veteran Pass. This can include veterans whose disability resulted from accidents involving military training activities.

Legislation to address sexual bullying at schools passes assembly floor

On June 2nd, the Assembly approved AB 2536, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which addresses the issue of sexual bullying by requiring the California Department of Education to post information about the issue on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center Internet Website, and by clarifying that sexual bullying is a part of cyberbullying.

“Sexual bullying is a growing problem in our schools,” said Assemblymember Chau. “As legislators, it is incumbent upon us to help our students and to provide a safe environment conducive to learning for all.”

Sexual bullying is a form of bullying frequently facing teenagers that can occur in person or online. It is a behavior that can include harassing an individual or others through comments and actions that are sexual in nature. Sexting, or the exchanging of sexual, nude or semi-nude images or videos electronically, has become a recent occurrence in the lives of young people, and is often a major form of sexual bullying.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a recent survey found that 20% of teenage boys and girls have sent a sext message. Sending sexually explicit photographs, videos or messages via cell phone or instant messenger has real dangers and consequences, because it is nearly impossible to control the flow of digital information once it leaves a person’s mobile device. With the click of a button, an image can be sent out to hundreds of people.  In California, sending sexual images of minors is specifically prohibited under Penal Code Section 311.11.

“My hope is that schools will use the information on the Website to educate students on the negative effects of sexual bullying so that they make positive choices,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Assemblymember Chau represents the 49th Assembly District, which includes the Cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Montebello, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte, and Temple City.