Public Policy

What’s the BIG NEWS in Public Policy?
Submitted by Laurie Jacobs, Public Policy Officer

LOBBY DAYS RECAP

See article below for TITLE IX NEW RULES – HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

This year’s AAUW California Lobby Days event, in which we collectively advocated for state level Title IX protections as part of our legislative agenda, was held on April 2nd and 3rd. It was an exciting and action-packed affair. 140 women on 43 teams from 63 AAUW California branches met with 39 Assembly offices and 27 Senate offices. 11 meetings took place in person in Sacramento, 55 meetings took place via Zoom, and the majority took place without a hitch.

The reception of our “Top 3” bills – AB 2843, AB 2326, and AB 2099 – was generally favorable. You can find more information on these and all the bills we are supporting HERE.

If you’ve signed up for action alerts, thank you! You should get ready for a busy summer and fall. There is a new “arm” to our Action Alert system. The Resistbot arm of our Action Alert system is primed and ready for use. You are invited to test out Resistbot. Click HERE and “sign” the petition in support of SB 554. When you “sign,” Resistbot will prompt you, through your preferred text message system, to send a letter with the petition text to your CA State Senator. Be sure to check it out!

Sign up for Action Alerts HERE to personally react to critical legislative activity.
To read the full AAUW-CA Public Policy Newsletter, click HERE.

Public Policy Word Clouds

Action Item: This spring the Public Policy Committee will be launching a social media education and action-centered program focused on priority legislation. Sign up for Legislative Action Alerts HERE! Share the sign-up link with anyone you think may be interested. AAUW members and non-members are welcome. Copy-and-paste shareable link:
https://forms.gle/zkbxQM8gByqjGymTA

Title IX Revised Rules Released
Submitted by Irene Berardesco, Title IX Liaison

The Biden Administration has released new Title IX rules which take effect on August 1, have broadened the scope of Title IX. The rule changes have a wide range of effects on students, among the most notable examples:

  • The new rules will have sweeping effects on survivors of sexual misconduct and those accused of crimes. Among the changes: the definition of sexual assault will be expanded in K-12 schools and colleges.
  • LGBTQ+ students: Title IX revision stipulates protections from sex discrimination based on gender identity for the first time.
  • Pregnant and parenting students: the new regulations extend the definition of “sex-based harassment” to include pregnant people on campuses.

The revised rules did not address whether transgender and nonbinary students can participate on the sports team that align with their gender.