2024 Legislative Priorities
AB 2155 Bilingual Oriented Social Equity Services (BOSES) Grant
Author: Assemblymember Phil Ting
Current Status: Hearing set for April 23rd, 1:30 p.m – State Capitol, Room 437 by the Assembly Human Services Committee
AB 2155 would provide funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide bilingual pay to their direct services staff assisting Limited English Proficient (LEP) speakers. The grants will be equitably allocated with 60% of the funding going toward underserved languages and 40% to more commonly spoken languages. AJSOCAL is requesting the state to allocate $2 million to fund the program.
Read about AB 2155 here and see the fact sheet here.
Take Action and next steps!!
The bill will be heard Tuesday, April 23rd, submit your support letter before April 16th.
Sign on to support the bill here!
AB 2444 Labor Law Education for the Salon Industry
Author: Assemblymember Alex Lee
Co-sponsor: California Health Nail Salon Collaborative
Current status: The bill will be heard in Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on Wednesday, April 17th.
AB 2444 would implement two requirements for the California Department of Industrial Relations. First, the board will develop informational materials on basic labor laws which will be included into the licensing and renewal applications and posted twice/year on social media, newsletters, and more. Second, the board must notify (in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Korean) manicurists and establishments about a recent change in California law (eff. Jan 2025) which will classify most licensed manicurists as “employees”, entitling them to workplace rights including a minimum wage, sick pay, and workers’ compensation.
Read AB 2444’s language here.
Take Action and next steps!!
The bill will be heard in Assembly Business & Professions Committee on Tuesday, April 9th.
Write to Legislators and show your support of this bill!
Submit your own support letter using this template to the California Legislature Position Portal.
AB 1780 Legacy Admissions Ban
Legacy Admissions Ban
Author: Assemblymember Phil Ting
Co-sponsor: Campaign for College Opportunity, HOPE, College4All Coalition, Diversity our Narrative, Generation Up
Current Status: Will be heard in Assembly Higher Education Committee on Tuesday, April 16
AB 1780 bans legacy and donor preference admissions in California private higher education institutions. For over 40 years, AJSOCAL has worked with multiracial coalitions to expand college accessibility and improve education attainment for disadvantaged students. This bill will ensure students who are first generation college students, recent immigrants, and those who come from underserved communities can attend a university of their choosing.
Read AB 1780’s language here and the fact sheet here.
Take Action and next steps!!
Submit your own support letter using this template to the California Legislature Position Portal.
Trafficking Research and Analysis to Counter Exploitation (TRACE)
Champion: Assemblymember Mia Bonta
Co-sponsor: Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) LA
TRACE advocates for $3.25 million to fund the first prevalence study in California that looks at both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. The study will take place in Los Angeles and Alameda Counties, produce recommendations for consistent data collection moving forward, and provide opportunities to engage with survivors to inform better policymaking.
Read the proposal’s fact sheet here.
Take Action and next steps!!
Write to your Legislators to show your support of this budget ask! Check back soon for a support letter template!
Past Work
In 2023, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California began its policy campaign to combat asian invisibility, passing legislation and securing budget allocations that re-invest in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Our wins include:
- Securing language in the 2023-24 budget to strengthen the bilingual workforce, where recipients of the API Equity Budget can request up to $1,000 for differential pay per bilingual employee;
- Passing AB 943 (Kalra), Breaking Down the “Other” Act, requiring California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations to recognize the API community needs and publish disaggregate data of its population.
- Introduced HR 41, with Assemblymember Mike Fong unwavering support that proclaims May 17, 2023 as Combating Asian Invisibility day, highlighting the diverse needs of the API community. HR 41 was co-authored by 72 Assemblymembers and passed unanimously.
- Recognized community leaders and Legislators in LA and OC who are leading the charge on language justice, protecting LGBTQ+ communities and more.
Break Down the ‘Other’ Act (AB 943)
Author: Assemblymember Kalra
Status: Signed into law
The Break Down the “Other” Act (AB943) directs the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to publish the disaggregated demographic data of persons in the system, specifically to have separate categories for major Asian and Pacific Islander groups.
Representation, Equity, and Protections (REP) for All Immigrants Act (AB 617)
Author: Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer
Status: Dead
The Representation for All Act (REP4All) would have advanced immigrant inclusion and racial equity by ensuring that all immigrants in California have access to high-quality, legal services through the One CA program.
AB 617 is now AB 2031 in 2024.
Bilingual Oriented Social Equity Services (BOSES) Grant
Author: Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen
STATUS: Partially incorporated in 2023-24 Budget
As of 2021, nearly seven million Californians (17.5%) have limited English proficiency (LEP) and 28% of LEPs speak an API language. This makes it integral for basic services to provide in-language assistance. The BOSES Grant (AB 1084) would have created a dedicated fund for community-based organizations (CBOs) to pay their direct service staff bilingual pay.
Independent Redistricting Commission (AB 1248)
Author: Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
Status: Vetoed
Asian Americans make up the fastest growing racial or ethnic group among eligible U.S. voters, but their voting voice is lost when district lines do not properly represent the people living within them. AB 1248 would have required large jurisdictions in California to establish independent redistricting commissions before the next redistricting cycle, so community members have more opportunities to participate in the line-drawing process of their district.
Sign The Pledge
Asian American stories have been erased from the collective consciousness- much like other communities of color. But what sets Asian Americans apart are how their identities and needs are ignored across the board. From prison systems to the voting field, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is introducing four bills to change the landscape of Asian American recognition. We must combat Asian invisibility.
AJSOCAL hosted two events in LA and OC to honor our legislative and community partners who are leading the charge on language justice, protecting LGBTQ+ communities and fair redistricting process. The event showcased a gallery walk highlighting the challenges faced by the AAPI community and the diverse strategies employed by our community partners to tackle these issues. Take a closer look at the gallery walk here.
Policies and Issue Priorities
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California defends civil rights through legislation or other advocacy that has the potential to result in systemic changes in government, business or society.
