- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – Four of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s (D-Sacramento) bills have been signed into law by Governor Newsom. They are related to: Elections, Criminal Justice Reform, and Classroom Air Quality.
County Office Elections – AB 759 – changes the Sheriff and District Attorney elections to coincide with Presidential elections.
“These are critical countywide elected officials that deal with important life and death matters,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “Sheriffs are responsible for operating jails, and DAs for prosecuting criminal violations. These positions should be voted on during elections where there is high turnout – like the presidential election. I would like to thank the sponsors for their hard work on this bill.”
Classroom HVAC Requirements – AB 2232 – improves classroom air quality and protects student health by ensuring facilities meet minimum ventilation rates and filtration standards.
“With the pandemic and California experiencing intense wildfires every year, it’s important everyone stays safe from the harmful air pollution that comes from the smoke,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “Poor indoor air quality remains an extensive problem impacting the wellbeing and learning outcomes of California students. This bill will help change that. I appreciate the Governor for signing this bill, and thank the bill sponsors and supporters.”
Race Blind Charging – AB 2778 – tasks the Attorney General with developing a race blind charging system to prevent unconscious racial bias in the criminal justice system.
“We’ve seen it time and time again where black and brown Californians are given harsher sentences as compared to their white counterparts who have committed the same crime,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “Creating a system where a person’s race is unknown during the time of initial charging creates equal treatment – focusing on punishing a person based on the crime and not the color of their skin. I would like to thank AG Bonta and DA Reisig for their partnership on this important bill.
Deaths in Custody – AB 2761 – ensures greater transparency on the reporting of deaths while in custody of public safety officials.
“The absence of accurate and complete information on the number of individuals who die by law enforcement takes away the public’s trust and the ability to hold law enforcement accountable,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “AB 2761 will ensure that deaths are more accurately reported and information is accessible. I thank the Governor for his commitment in keeping California’s public safety officers accountable, and the coalition for their work on this bill.”
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which include the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Website of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty: https://a06.asmdc.org/