Davis Signs Bills Governing Hospital Services, Gun Ownership

Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation this week that prevents churches and other nonprofits from limiting services -- such as abortions or birth control -- at hospitals they have sold or leased.

The measure, by Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), comes in response to attempts by several Catholic hospitals to control the services provided at a facility after it is sold or leased. Opponents of the bill say hospitals need the freedom to decide how to structure leases and sales. Without that freedom, said Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta), some deals will not be made and hospitals may close.

The legislation would require the state attorney general, who has veto power over the sale or lease of nonprofit health facilities, to reject the transfer if the owner restricts the type or level of medical services the new operator can provide.

Davis also signed into law a bill that further limits the rights of those convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors to possess firearms.

The bill, by Assemblyman Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles), is aimed at preventing gun ownership for anyone convicted of serious crimes, whether or not they have completed probation. Some courts have interpreted existing law to allow gun ownership by those who have completed probation and had charges dropped.

The governor also signed a bill that targets the predatory auto-lending practice of inflating interest rates charged consumers. The so-called “markups” are often hidden in sales contracts and are never disclosed to car buyers. Minority buyers often are victimized by the scam.

The legislation, by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), requires dealers to retain documents that can allow regulators to better track patterns of predatory lending. Consumer groups say the extra charges add an average of $2,100 to the cost of a new car.

Finally, Davis signed a bill that further defines how close convicted sex offenders may live to schools.

AB 1495 by Assemblyman Edward “Ed” Chavez (D-La Puente) provides that parolees who committed a lewd and lascivious act on a child or continuous sexual abuse of a child may not live within a quarter-mile of a school serving pupils in grades kindergarten through eight. The previous law specified the same distance, but covered only schools serving pupils in grades kindergarten through six.

“It is our responsibility to do what we can to make our communities safer,” Davis said. “This bill will add another layer of protection.”