NOW Salutes Two Legislators for Work on Women’s Issues

Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose) have been picked as the outstanding state legislators of 1990 on women’s issues by the California National Organization for Women.

Roybal-Allard was chosen for her legislation to help female victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, including a major date-rape bill that was signed into law by the governor.

The date-rape law provides that in sex-offense cases where consent of the victim is an issue, a current or previous dating relationship is not enough for the defendant to use consent as a legal defense. The law takes effect Jan. 1.

The first male legislator to receive the California NOW award, McCorquodale was active in a fight that led to the resignation of the president of the state Maritime Academy after a sexual harassment scandal.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions:

Lip Sync: AB 118 by Assemblyman Bob Epple (D-Norwalk) would make it a misdemeanor for musical concert advertisements to fail to disclose whether the music will be live, prerecorded or lip-synced by performers. This bill was introduced partly as a result of the recent scandal involving the group Milli Vanilli.

Motorcycle Helmets: AB 7 by Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Carson) would require motorcyclists to wear helmets to help prevent deaths and injuries.

Tow-Truck Drivers: AB 123 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would require state licensing and regulation of tow-truck drivers starting Jan. 1, 1993.

Automobile Purchases: AB 126 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would let automobile buyers cancel a purchase contract within one business day after it is signed if the motor vehicle remains in the dealer’s possession.

Drugs: AB 124 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) would appropriate $2 million from federal anti-drug abuse funds for pilot drug abuse intervention counseling programs for convicted juvenile offenders in Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Humboldt counties.

SENATE

Bill Introductions:

Campaign Contributions: SB 80 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would require members of the State Board of Equalization to disclose all campaign contributions of $250 or more received from any party that has had a matter pending with the board within the previous 12 months.

Military Reservists: SB 4 by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) would require employers to pay actual damages and attorney fees in cases of job discrimination against employees who are members of the military reserves.

Rent Deposits: SB 68 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would require 5% interest to be paid on rental security deposits of more than $50 that are held for more than one year.