Instruction in Harassment Issues Mandated Under Senate Bill

Law enforcement officers would be required to receive instruction in what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace under legislation introduced in the Senate.

Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord), author of the measure (SB 459), said police and sheriff’s departments “are notorious for this type of problem” because they have been traditionally dominated by males.

“Although sexual harassment tends to be under-reported because of the stigma attached to it, the increasing number of lawsuits occurring in police departments across the state proves that it is all too common,” Boatwright said.

As the number of women working as peace officers continues to grow, he said, “steps need to be taken to ensure they are treated like any other law enforcement professional.”

The bill also would require development of a standard process to provide guidelines for complainants to follow.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Domestic Violence: AB 890 by Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would require doctors to receive training in how to recognize signs of domestic violence in women seeking medical treatment.

Voter Registration: AB 859 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would allow people to register and vote on the same day in statewide primary and general elections.

Graffiti: AB 839 by Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino) would make a parent or legal guardian also responsible for cleaning up graffiti affixed to a building by a minor.

Campaign Funds: AB 884 by Assemblyman B.T. Collins (R-Carmichael) would permit the use of campaign funds for dry cleaning or laundering clothes and repairing shoes of candidates and elected officials if the use is related to a political, legislative or governmental purpose.

Women: AB 874 by Assemblyman William J. (Pete) Knight (R-Palmdale) would abolish the state Commission on the Status of Women.

American Indians: AB 861 also by Assemblyman William J. (Pete) Knight (R-Palmdale) would abolish the state Native American Heritage Commission.

Bond Issue: AB 821 by Assemblyman Dominic L. Cortese (D-San Jose) would ask the voters to approve a $698-million bond issue for acquisition and development of park and coastal resources, including the Lake Tahoe area, at the November, 1994, general election.

SENATE

Committee Action

Open Meetings: The Local Government Committee approved a bill (SB 36) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to strengthen state law requiring local government agencies to conduct their business in open and public meetings. A 5-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Bill Introductions

Cable Television: SB 454 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) would make it a possible felony to put together or sell illegal cable TV decoders to permit viewers to avoid paying premium channel costs.

Defense Conversion: SB 458 by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) would establish a state defense conversion program to help defense-related workers and industries make the transition to competitive civilian-oriented jobs and businesses.

Coastal Resources: SB 473 by Sen. Henry J. Mello (D-Santa Cruz) would ask the voters to approve a $263-million coastal and riparian resources bond issue at the June, 1994, primary election.

Capital Fact

Average cost of processing each bill that goes to the governor’s desk, including staff analyses, committee hearings and floor votes, is $10,100, according to the legislative analyst’s office. The 1992 Legislature sent 1,733 bills to the governor’s desk.