Governor signs bill to combat Cyber sexual bullying at schools

On September 21, Governor Brown signed AB 2536, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which addresses the issue of cyber sexual bullying.  Specifically, it requires the California Department of Education to post information about the issue on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center internet website, and adds cyber sexual bullying to the definition of cyberbullying.

“More and more teenagers are sharing sexual, nude or semi-nude photos or videos, and while this type of activity may seem harmless at first, these photos and videos can easily be downloaded, copied, disseminated, widely circulated and posted online instantly with a push of button, with or without the consent of those depicted in them,” said Assemblymember Chau.  “This behavior can lead to bullying and has unfortunately resulted in some teenagers committing suicide.”

Sexual bullying is a form of bullying commonly facing teenagers.  It is a behavior that can include harassing an individual or others through comments and actions that are sexual in nature. Furthermore, sexual bullying can occur in person or online.  The act of sexting, where sexual, nude or semi-nude images are exchanged electronically, has become a recent occurrence in the lives of young people, and can be a major form of sexual bullying, or cyber sexual bullying.  Approximately 20 percent of teenage boys and girls have sent a sext message, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Additionally, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, some 75% of 12-17 year-olds own cell phones, and one in three teens sends more  than 100 text messages a day or 3000 texts a month; this can create conditions for sexting and cyber sexual bullying.

Cyber sexual bullying presents complex challenges to schools as they strive to provide safe environments for learning.   Though public school administrators have the authority to discipline students when bullying causes harm to a student or violates school policy, numerous administrators have expressed confusion on how best to address the issue of cyber sexual bullying, because it is not defined under current law.

AB 2536 will clarify for administrators that cyber sexual bullying is a violation of school policy.  It also looks to the California Healthy Kids Resource Center, which maintains a comprehensive collection of reviewed education materials for use by teachers, administrators, and other professionals, as a tool to assist in addressing this issue.

“AB 2536 will help educate students on the potential consequences of cyber sexual bullying and help students avoid this type of behavior,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Governor signs Bill granting tax relief to mobilehome owners

On September 21, Governor Brown signed AB 587, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which creates a tax abatement program for mobile-home owners who cannot transfer title of ownership into their names, due to tax delinquencies incurred by prior owners.

“Mobilehomes are a great source of affordable housing in California, but many owners are having difficulty transferring title of ownership into their names,” said Assemblymember Chau. “This bill will provide relief to mobilehome owners who are being unjustly penalized for someone else’s debt and allows these owners to finally achieve proper title of ownership.”

Mobilehomes are regularly sold on an informal basis. They are titled through the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). In order to issue a new Certificate of Title in a buyer’s name, HCD must confirm that no outstanding fees or taxes are owed on the home.  If there are outstanding fees or taxes, and the new owner is unable to pay, then title cannot transfer.  A buyer may be unaware of this requirement and, as a result, is in a situation where they paid for their home, but have no meaningful proof of ownership.  As a result, unpaid taxes and fees continue to accumulate on the mobilehome, because state and county records are outdated and the proper party is not being billed.  This exposes the new owner to potentially thousands of dollars in taxes and penalties and it also puts a cloud on the homeowner’s title.  Without proper title, the homeowner cannot transfer the home or get repairs made, and may even face eviction.

AB 587 establishes a tax abatement program to give homeowners an opportunity to bring title into their names without having to pay certain outstanding amounts owed, including delinquencies incurred by previous owners.  The abatement program would run for three years, starting in January 2017.  Eligible homeowners could apply for the abatement program with HCD.  If a mobilehome is on the local property tax system, then the County Tax Collector would also be involved in processing and approving the tax abatement.

“This bill will provide thousands of mobilehome owners with the means to finally have legal ownership of their homes and resolve a longstanding issue facing mobilehome owners throughout the state,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

overnor signs legislation to highlight Chinese American history in curriculum

On September 27, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2864, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which would ensure that students in California receive instruction regarding the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions made by Chinese Americans in establishing the Transcontinental Railroad.

“AB 2864 brings awareness to two key pieces of history that captures the Chinese American experience,” said Assemblymember Chau. “The first involves the presence of Chinese Americans in building the Transcontinental Railroad that linked the United States from the West to the East. The second piece of history stems from the discrimination Chinese Americans faced when the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was enacted to prevent Chinese from owning land, interracial marriages, and the reunion of these hardworking Chinese men with their families.”

Chinese Americans have played a significant role in the history of California and the United States. They have contributed to America and California as builders of the Transcontinental Railroad. It is estimated that 11,000 or so Chinese men performed much of the back-breaking and treacherous labor at extremely low and unfair wages. They worked long hours in poor working conditions, lived in underground tunnels and often faced fierce discrimination. They worked to the point of exhaustion, and more than one thousand lost their lives in accidents and avalanches while they laid the tracks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that rose to an elevation of over 14,000 feet.

The Chinese American experience is also represented by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.  It was the first major law to single out and forbid a specific ethnic group, the Chinese, from immigrating to, and becoming naturalized citizens of the United States.

“I authored AB 2864 in remembrance to those brave souls who lost their lives and served as pioneers in paving the way for Asian Americans. This bill will ensure that students throughout California are reminded that these key pieces of history did not go without sacrifice by those who have come before us. I applaud the Governor for signing this bill, because it will give students, from various cultures and backgrounds, a time and a place to hold discussions of similar or shared experiences to promote, build and strengthen relationships among all members of our communities,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Assemblymember Chau announces new laws

Taking effect in 2017

On October 5, Assemblymember Ed Chau (D–Monterey Park) held a press conference in San Gabriel to discuss bills from his 2016 legislative bill package, many of which will become new laws effective January 1, 2017.

“I worked on a number of issues this year that impact my constituents and their daily lives,” said Assemblymember Chau.  “Some of the legislation I authored will protect the public from credit card fraud; provide tax relief to mobilehome owners, so they can properly title their homes; establish privacy protections for preschool and pre-kindergarten students; ensure that teenagers are protected from cyber sexual bullying; and make sure students are taught about the historical contributions and challenges of Chinese Americans.”

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed a total of 10 bills authored by Assemblymember Chau.  Some of the bills highlighted in today’s press conference included:

PRIVACY

AB 2307 – Card Skimmers – This bill will protect consumers from credit card fraud and identity theft at the gas pump by requiring service agents, within 24 hours, to report to their county sealer or law enforcement any credit card skimming devices found in the course of their work. Sponsor: California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association. (Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 329, Statutes of 2016.)

AB 2799 – Early Learning Personal Information Protection Act (ELPIPA) – This bill, commencing on July 1, 2017, will impose privacy protections on internet web sites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications that are designed, marketed and used primarily by pupils enrolled in preschool and pre-kindergarten. Sponsor: Common Sense Kids Action. (Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 620, Statutes of 2016.)

EDUCATION

AB 2536 – Cyber Sexual Bullying – This bill will add “cyber sexual bullying” to the definition of bullying via an electronic act, and requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to include information on cyber sexual bullying on the California Healthy Kids Resource Center internet website and other appropriate CDE internet website where information about discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying is posted. Finally, school districts would be encouraged to inform pupils regarding the available information on the dangers and consequences of cyber sexual bullying to help reduce the instances of it.  Sponsor: Author. (Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 419, Statutes of 2016.)

AB 2864 – School Curriculum: Chinese Exclusion Act / Establishment of Transcontinental Railroad – This bill will require the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions of Chinese Americans to the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad to be considered for inclusion in curriculum when the State Board of Education revises and adopts the History-Social Science curriculum framework on or after January 1, 2017. It also encourages all state and local professional development activities to provide teachers with content background and resources to assist them in teaching about these topics. Sponsor: Author. (Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 648, Statutes of 2016.)

HOUSING

Assembly Bill (AB) 587 – Mobile homes – This bill will establish a tax abatement program for mobile homeowners who are unable to transfer title of their homes into their names due to tax delinquencies that may have been incurred by prior owners.  The abatement program would run for three years, beginning on January 1, 2017.  Sponsors: California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation; Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League; and Western Center on Law and Poverty. (Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 396, Statutes of 2016.)

Press conference speakers included:

Sheila Pott, The Audrie Pott Foundation

Suellen Cheng, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Los Angeles Lodge

Craig Cheslog, Common Sense Kids Action

Angela Godwin, Ventura County Sealer

Navneet Grewal, Western Center on Law & Poverty

Assemblymember Chau issues statement on song targeting Chinese Americans

On October 6, Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) issued the following statement on the rap song and video “Meet the Flockers” by Rapper YG, which has caused concern in the Chinese American community.

“Songs with explicit lyrics that target and call for violence against a specific group of people are very concerning to me, because they can influence the attitudes of listeners in ways that negatively impact behavior.  For example, this song, which details how to commit a burglary and identifies Chinese Americans as a prime target, can result in acts of violence against an entire community, which exacerbates the negative impact and stereotype. While our constitution protects certain speech, the subject speech is unequivocally dividing communities at a time when our national discourse on community relations should be focused on strengthening bridges of understanding and unity.”

Assemblymember Chau condemns racist program, seeks appropriate action

On October 6, Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) sent a letter to the Fox News Channel today expressing concern and requesting appropriate action in response to the recent segment on the show, The O’Reilly Factor. The show recently aired a segment titled “Watters’ World: Chinatown edition” where reporter, Jesse Watters, goes into New York’s Chinatown to conduct man-on-the-street interviews to sample political opinions by Chinese-American community.

“Not only were Mr. Watters’ attempts at humor through the use of Chinese American citizens, immigrants, and small business owners not funny, but they promote a falsely negative and erroneous perception that Chinese Americans are lazy, silent, and docile people. I demand that the Executive Staff of Fox News meet with community leaders from the Asian American community to have a discussion about how Asian Americans are depicted in the media followed by an annual meeting with these community leaders to discuss programming and racial sensitivity.”

Assemblymember Ed Chau represents the 49th Assembly District, comprised of the communities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City and portions of Montebello, and South El Monte.