SACRAMENTO - (INT) - State lawmakers have reconvened amid a flurry of proposed bills, some demanding immediate action.

Following the swearing-in of new and re-elected lawmakers, the Assembly and Senate joined together to take immediate action that could inoculate the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s stated plans to deport up to 3 million undocumented residents. New bills were introduced to strengthen due process rights and protections for undocumented residents should President-elect Trump pursue overly aggressive immigration enforcement actions.

Some Inland Empire lawmakers hit the ground running.

Freshman Assembly member Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) introduced legislation to aid survivors of last year's terrorist attack by removing roadblocks that keep workers who suffer job-related injuries from receiving treatment for PTSD and other disorders. “Survivors of the attack deserve better than being caught in the web of workers comp bureaucracy,” said Reyes.

Assemblywoman Melissa A. Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) introduced Assembly Bill 27, to classify rape of an intoxicated or unconscious victim as a violent felony.

In the wake of voter approval of the recreational use of marijuana, Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a former 28-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, introduced legislation that would authorize use of roadside drug testing devices for evaluating drivers stopped under suspicion of driving under the influence.

In the Senate, Democrat Connie Leyva of Chino introduced a vital bill to help community college students in California pay for their education and related access costs. SB 15 would increase the maximum Cal Grant C amount that students at California Community Colleges can use towards covering access costs—such as housing, transportation, and food—from $547 to $3,000.

Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) introduced Senate Bill 17 to renew his efforts to shine a light on rising drug prices in California.

Story Date: December 11, 2016