Press Releases

State Senate Holds Joint Oversight Hearing on COVID-19 in California State Prisons and ICE Transfers

November 19, 2020

Sacramento, Calif. - The Senate Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response and Senate Committee on Public Safety will hold a joint oversight hearing today Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. to further examine the state’s response to COVID-19 in state prisons. This oversight hearing will look into the healthcare operations and precautionary measures that have been implemented inside state prisons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocols currently in place for the transfer of state prisoners to immigration detention centers will also be explored.

Sen. Gonzalez and Sen. Connie M. Leyva Co-chair Joint Oversight Hearing on K-12 Distance Learning: How Students Across the State Are Being Served and Are Accessing Online Learning

October 26, 2020

Sacramento, Calif. - Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) chair of the Senate Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response and Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) chair of the Senate Education Committee will co-chair a joint oversight hearing on Monday, October 26, 2020 at 1:00pm. This oversight hearing will examine the level and quality of access that students in California have had to distance learning instruction, as well as whether they have had access to fast and reliable internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Gonzalez Chairs First in a Series of Fall Oversight Hearings of the Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response

October 07, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- Today, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) will chair the first in a series of Senate oversight hearings by the Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response since the end of the California legislative session. The oversight hearing will shed light on workplace health and safety issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on sectors with essential workers.

Governor Newsom Signs “The Equal Insurance HIV Act” Enacting Anti-discrimination Protections in State Law

September 26, 2020

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Governor Newsom signed SB 1255 –The Equal Insurance HIV Act by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) and the Senate Committee on Insurance. The Equal Insurance HIV Act will end the unjust practice of insurance companies discriminating against HIV-positive individuals. 

Legislature Passes “The Equal Insurance HIV Act” Enacting Anti-discrimination Protections

August 31, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- On Sunday night, the California State Legislature approved SB 1255 authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) and the Senate Committee on Insurance. The measure, also known as The Equal Insurance HIV Act, now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. If signed into law, The Equal Insurance HIV Act would end the unjust practice of insurance companies discriminating against HIV-positive individuals.

Assembly Leadership Sidelines “Broadband for All” Bill Hurts Underserved Children, Parents and First Responders During Statewide Crisis.

August 31, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- Yesterday, the California State Assembly inexplicably placed SB 1130, the “Broadband for All” bill, on its inactive file, killing the bill with no notice or explanation to the more than 50 organizations that support the measure, including rural and urban organizations, AARP, League of Cities and various small and large school districts. “During this crisis, children are sitting outside Taco Bell so they can access the Internet to do their homework, but the Assembly chose to kill SB 1130, the only viable solution in the state legislature to help close the digital divide and provide reliable broadband infrastructure for California students, parents, educators, and first responders in our communities,” Sen. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) said.

Statement On Violent Social Media Posts Directed Towards Activist Shaun King

June 26, 2020

Long Beach, Calif.- It is incredibly disturbing to see threats of violence directed towards activist and journalist Shaun King which were posted in a California law enforcement private Facebook group. These violent posts were conducted with personal accounts of identified retired Long Beach law enforcement officers. These actions by former law enforcement professionals are not only unacceptable and extremely disappointing, but are completely against the values of the residents I represent and these actions must face immediate consequence.　

Senate Passes “The Equal Insurance HIV Act” Enacting Anti-discrimination Protections

June 24, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- Today, the California State Senate approved SB 1255 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) and the Senate Committee on Insurance. Section one of SB 1255, The Equal Insurance HIV Act, by Senator Lena Gonzalez and co-sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Equality California, ends the unjust practice of insurance companies discriminating against HIV-positive individuals, keeps up to date with medical advancements and ensures coverage for affected families during these unprecedented times.

Sen. Gonzalez Chairs Hearing About Nursing Homes and COVID-19

June 10, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- Today, California State Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) will chair the second hearing of the Senate’s special committee on Pandemic Emergency Response. The focus of today’s hearing is Skilled Nursing Facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Lena Gonzalez’s Legislation to Help Close the Digital Divide Passes Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee

May 27, 2020

Sacramento, Calif.- Today, Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) issued the following statement regarding her legislation, SB 1130, which passed the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee with bi-partisan support by a vote of 11-2. SB 1130 aims to close the digital divide for Californians in poor urban and rural areas by updating the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to encourage deployment of 21st century-ready high-speed broadband internet in unserved areas.