Legislation Would Outlaw Gang Recruitment of Minors

Legislation that would make it illegal to intimidate, coerce or solicit a child under age 18 to join a criminal street gang has been introduced in the Assembly. The bill calls for two to four years in prison for the first offense.

“This bill is designed to combat the method most commonly employed by gangs to recruit new members,” said Assemblyman Lloyd G. Connelly (D-Sacramento), author of AB 2717.

“Our children must be safe to take the bus to school in the morning, walk home from school in the afternoon and play in the park on Sunday without being intimidated by gang members to join their gang,” he said.

Connelly said he developed the bill in consultation with the gang prosecution unit of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Bungee Jumping: AB 2778 by Assemblyman Paul Horcer (R-Hacienda Heights) would require operators of bungee-jumping services to maintain $100,000 insurance policies for liability charges brought by customers.

Privacy Rights: AB 2674 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit government agencies from disclosing personal information, including home addresses and telephone numbers, without permission of the individual.

Smoking Ban: AB 2667 by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit employers from allowing smoking in an enclosed space at a work. A violation would be a misdemeanor calling for a minimum fine of $250 for the first offense.

Consumer Credit: AB 2679 by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles) would allow consumers who experience unexpected economic hardships to place a statement to that effect in their consumer credit reporting agency file.

College Degrees: AB 2662 by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) would require Cal State trustees to spend not less than $5 million from the proceeds of state lottery ticket sales for opening new courses required for the completion of undergraduate degrees.

Domestic Automobiles: AB 2690 by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Rancho San Diego) would grant a 50% state sales tax credit to purchasers of new automobiles made by domestic manufacturers. The bill defines domestically produced cars as having at least 75% of its parts made in the United States.

Violent Crimes: AB 2725 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) would require the Office of Criminal Justice Planning to develop a statewide plan to reduce and prevent violent crimes against women.

SENATE

Floor Action

Gubernatorial Appointment: Confirmed on a 32-1 vote the governor’s appointment of former Republican Rep. Norman Shumway of Stockton to the state Public Utilities Commission.

Legislative Analyst: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-3 vote a constitutional amendment (SCA 33) by Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord) to continue the operations of the legislative analyst’s office and exclude its expenditures from reductions required by Proposition 140.

Auditor General: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 28-2 vote a constitutional amendment (SCA 34) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) to continue the existence of the auditor general’s office and exclude its expenditures from reductions required by Proposition 140.

Bill Introductions

Welfare Aid: SB 1504 by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Big Bear) would give families on welfare an additional $50 a month if a teen-age parent continues to attend school regularly. There would be a $50-a-month reduction if the teen-age parent had too many unexcused absences. This bill is part of Gov. Pete Wilson’s welfare program. It also is part of the governor’s proposed welfare ballot initiative.

One-Stop Permits: SB 1489 by Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose) would require the state Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to study establishing a coordinated one-stop permit process at convenient locations throughout California for applicants who seek state and local permits.

Anti-Smoking and Alcohol: SCR 57 by Sen. Bill Greene (D-Los Angeles) urges the governor to fully fund anti-smoking and alcohol abuse advertising campaigns.

McDonnell Douglas Sale: SJR 33 by Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) would ask Congress and the President to deny or postpone approval of the proposed sale of 40% of McDonnell Douglas Corp. to Taiwan Aerospace until a comprehensive review is made.