Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday issued Executive Order N-70-20 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order extends a waiver that allows retailers to temporarily pause in-store redemption of beverage containers and temporarily suspends the requirement for recycling centers to hold a minimum number hours of operation.
Read More »The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) awarded reaccreditation status to Ventura County this week. This redesignation, as Ventura was the first California local health department to become accredited, lasts for an additional five years. Congratulations to Ventura County Public Health!
Read More »On Monday, the Senate and Assembly passed SB 74 (Mitchell), representing the Legislature’s bicameral spending plan for the 2020-21 fiscal year. In addition to SB 74, the Legislature approved trailer bills related to 2019 Budget Act augmentations (AB 75), education finance (AB 76), and state taxes and charges (AB 85). The Legislature’s action on Monday…
Read More »This week the Legislature finished their house of origin hearings with the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting to dispense with their suspense file measures. Of interest to local health departments, SB 793, Senator Jerry Hill’s proposal to ban flavored tobacco, did pass off the suspense file (5-1) with amendments to exempt the sale of flavored shisha…
Read More »On Monday, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), in conjunction with county affiliates CHEAC, CBHDA, and CWDA, convened a virtual press conference to urge the Legislature and Newsom Administration to include at least $1 billion in realignment backfill for critical county-delivered safety net services in the 2020-21 state budget. The press conference featured Los…
Read More »On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance requiring individuals to wear face coverings statewide when in most settings outside of the home. Individuals must wear face coverings when inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space, obtaining services from a healthcare sector setting, waiting for or riding on…
Read More »On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee advanced to the Senate Floor the confirmation of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell on a vote of 4-0 with one member not voting. During the Senate Rules Committee hearing, Senators extensively queried Dr. Angell on the state’s ongoing response activities…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom named former California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Director Will Lightbourne as the next Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director. Lightbourne served as CDSS Director from 2011 to 2018. He was previously the director of the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency from 2000 to 2011, executive director of…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-69-20 addressing a number of issues in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order extends waivers temporarily broadening the capabilities of counties to enroll persons into CalWORKs, allowing self-attestation of pregnancy and conditions of eligibility, and waiving in-person identification requirements. The order also extends permission for…
Read More »The Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday notified Senate and Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairs of its intent to augment funding to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) utilizing emergency COVID-19 funding appropriated by the Legislature in March. DOF indicated $16.9 million will be made available to CDCR to reimburse counties for…
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