It Wasn’t All Sound and Fury

The California Legislature hit a five-year low in 1995 in terms of producing new legislation. But some driftwood still landed on the beach.

Thanks to Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), parolees considered to be high risk and likely to commit further crimes must report to their parole officers within 48 hours of their release or face arrest. Anyone wonder why these high-risk folks are getting paroled in the first place?

The law, introduced by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood), requires the state to warn liquor stores they might be subject to decoy operations in which minors are sent in to buy liquor. Oh, please.

It says a lot about what was --or wasn’t-- going on in teacher hiring that required legislation by Assemblyman Brooks Firestone (R-Los Olivos) denying teaching credentials to any applicant found to be insane by a court-- unless they have been cured for at least five years.

The Legislature did make progress in one significant area-- domestic violence.

Now, first domestic violence offenses go on the offender’s criminal record and can’t be erased just because the offender seeks counseling--Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica). Insurance companies can no longer deny health care or disability insurance to victims of domestic violence-- Assemblywoman Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont). There is no longer a requirement that stalkers must have shown intent to carry out their threats-- Firestone. When a person is convicted of attempting to murder his or her spouse, said spouse is now entitled to 100% of the convicted’s pension benefits--Assemblyman Richard K. Rainey (R-Walnut Creek.)

Grounds for the early release of women convicted of killing abusive mates have also been expanded to include more behaviors associated with battered woman syndrome-- Assemblywoman Sheila J. Kuehl (D-Santa Monica); and the courts are now authorized to issue domestic violence restraining orders, including prohibitions against stalking and destroying personal property-- Assemblyman James E. Rogan (R-Glendale.)

If legislators can steer clear of internal political battles, they may in the session that began Wednesday be able to focus better on the task ahead-- that of governing.