In the News

Two pieces of legislation that would address solutions to California's foster care system's reliance on psychiatric medications easily passed the Assembly floor Thursday, while a third bill that would complete the package will be voted on next week.

Senate Bill 253, by state Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, would create a more rigorous process for the prescribing of psychotropic drugs to foster children.

Senate Bill 1291, by state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, would require better transparency and tracking of mental health services for foster kids in every California county.

Gov. Jerry Brown this week signed a bill that requires continuing care facilites to pay interest to seniors if refunds of their entrance fee deposits are delayed. 

On Monday, Brown signed SB 939, introduced by Sen. Bill Monning, which requires that refunds of entrance fees include 4 percent intesest if they aren’t made within 180 days of a property being vacated, and 6 percent interest after 240 days. 

About 100 people, from stakeholders and supporters to dignitaries and politicians, came out to the former site of the San Clemente Dam on Monday to celebrate the removal of the dam and Carmel River Reroute Project.

The mammoth, $83 million undertaking involved moving silt that had once clogged the dam’s reservoir and rerouting a half-mile section of the river.

Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, grew up in the area and remembers visiting the dam.

 A state bill that was prompted by pet boarding facility incidents such as the one in July where 15 dogs died in a fire in Monterey, passed the Senate on Monday.

Senate Bill 945 seeks to establish minimum standards of care and safety at pet boarding facilities by providing the operators with guidelines about the health and safety standards needed at their businesses. The bill, introduced by Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, passed the Senate on a 30-0 vote and moves to the Assembly.