Disaster plans in the Golden State will now have to ensure they take into consideration the unique needs of LGBTQ+ communities across California. By January 1, 2027, the state's Office of Emergency Services, known as Cal-OES, must update the State Emergency Plan in consultation with LGBTQ+ organizations and community advocates.
It is due to Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law Senate Bill 990 authored by gay state Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). It was one of a number of bills Newsom signed September 20 and that his office announced late Friday night.
Newsom made no comment about his decision regarding SB 990. California is now believed to be the first state to require disaster plans account for LGBTQ individuals.
Padilla, in a post on X this week, noted that his legislation "updates California's disaster response plans to better support the LGBTQ+ community and involves LGBTQ+ experts to address their specific needs."
In pushing for passage of SB 990 this year, Padilla had highlighted the research of UC Irvine professor Michael Méndez and his colleagues into the harm and displacement that LGBTQ individuals face during natural disasters, be it an earthquake, wildfire, or flood. And due to climate change, the issue is only intensifying, as they pointed out in a policy brief released last November.
"No state emergency plans (SEP) currently provide best practices for local government and nongovernmental organizations on safeguarding LGBTQ+ communities before, during, and after disasters," noted Méndez in August when SB 990 was passed out of the Legislature. "Our research has shown that LGBTQ communities are especially vulnerable to climate-induced disasters."
The bill was the second one related to LGBTQ concerns signed by Newsom in recent days. On September 14, he signed Assembly Bill 2477 by gay Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) that updates state law to clarify that young adults can accumulate cash savings while in foster care. Specifically, foster youth can save upwards of $10,000 without losing their existing benefits or triggering redetermination of eligibility, noted Zbur last month upon his bill making it out of the Legislature.
"California has a responsibility to uplift our youth in foster care and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed as they transition to adulthood," stated Zbur. "AB 2477 is about increasing financial security and equity for all youth in foster care, including those who are LGBTQ+ or children of color, who are overrepresented in the foster care system. This bill allows youth in foster care to build the financial stability they deserve."
Many of the 60,000 children in California's foster care system are LGBTQ+ youth. The bill ensures such youth are not penalized for their financial safety nets and have available resources to help achieve their goals, as Alliance for Children's Rights Vice President for Policy and Advocacy Kristin Power noted when the bill was sent to the governor by state lawmakers in late August.
"Youth working diligently to achieve their education and career goals should be rewarded for their efforts," stated Power. "We appreciate Assemblymember Zbur's leadership to ensure that financial safety nets are not jeopardized for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. AB 2477 ensures policy and practice align to support our youth in foster care."
The Bay Area Reporter is tracking 17 LGBTQ-related bills sent to the governor this legislative session. Newsom has until September 30 to either sign or veto them.
Earlier this summer Newsom signed into law AB 1955 by gay state Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) that bans school districts from outing trans youth without their permission to their parents unless doing so is needed to protect their mental health. He also added his signature to SB 1278 by gay state Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) that requires California to officially recognize December 1 as World AIDS Day in perpetuity.
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