California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Introduce 2025 Priority and Endorsed Bill Packages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2025 Caucus Contacts: Natalia Garcia & Jacob Fraker |
California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Introduce 2025 Priority and Endorsed Bill Packages
*An archive of the press conference can be found here.
*A folder of photos from the press conference can be found here.
*More information on the LGBTQ Caucus Priority & Endorsed Bill Packages can be found here.
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – In the face of growing attack on LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender community members, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, comprised of 14 Members of the State Legislature, reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the utmost protections and supports for community members in California. Today, the LGBTQ Caucus announced priority and endorsed packages of 17 bills falling under two core buckets: 1) Protecting against anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and 2) Advancing our progress and addressing everyday challenges.
Specifically, bills under the priority and endorsed packages include:
Health Equity & Access
Assemblymember Mark González – AB 554 (PrEPARE Act)
Assemblymember Addis – AB 1487 (2STGI Wellness & Equity Fund)
Senator Cabaldon – SB 278 (HIV Test Results)
Senator Menjivar – SB 418 (Ensure Equal Access to Care for All)
Senator Laird – SB 504 (HIV Data Reporting)
Privacy Rights & Freedom from Retaliation
Assemblymember Ward – AB 82 (Health Data Privacy & Safety Protections)
Assemblymember Zbur – AB 715 (California Attorney Protection Act)
Senator Wiener – SB 497 (Shield Law Expansion)
Vital Records
Assemblymember Zbur – AB 1084 (Transgender Records Act)
Senator Wiener – SB 59 (Transgender Privacy Act)
Combatting Hate
Assemblymember Jackson – AB 449 (Combatting Hate in California)
Assemblymember Elhawary – AB 822 (Commission on State of Hate)
Enhancing Supports in Education & Housing
Assemblymember Lee – AB 678 (LGBTQ+ Housing Supports)
Assemblymember Mark González – AB 727 (LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health)
Assemblymember Solache – AB 908 (LIFT Act)
Senator Cervantes – SB 289 (Title IX Oversight Office)
Supporting Families
Senator Menjivar – SB 450 (Confirmatory Adoptions)
Senator Durazo – SB 590 (Paid Family Leave for Chosen Families)
"Let me be clear—when those in power push unconstitutional policies, initiatives, and regulations that threaten life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we will fight back and stand with our community," said Assemblymember Chris Ward, Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. "Today and always, we stand united to unveil our annual legislative priorities, addressing key issues affecting communities across California. These priorities not only safeguard our transgender and gender-expansive community members from the same outdated tactics once used to erase lesbian and gay individuals but also tackle the everyday challenges Californians face."
“At a time when dangerous propaganda is fabricated and legalized by our nation’s highest office, California must step up to protect the safety and personal liberties of our LGBTQ+ communities,” said Senator Caroline Menjivar, Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “This year, the LGBTQ Caucus is leading the nation with a legislative package that prioritizes holding the line against hateful and unconstitutional attacks from the Federal Government. It also includes a comprehensive package of bills aimed at continuing to advance the hard fought progress of this Caucus. Even in difficult times it is imperative we continue the work for a just and equitable society for the LGBTQ+ community.”
State legislatures across the nation saw over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2024 alone. This legislative session, state legislatures are slated to surpass that number in 2025 – with nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills already introduced as of early March 2025. In the face of rising hate and hostility towards LGBTQ+ community members, especially transgender individuals, it is of vital importance to the LGBTQ Caucus that California remains a leader in upholding the rights, safety, and well-being of all who reside in the state.
Bills in the priority and endorsed packages will be heard across various policy committees this spring.
WHAT OUR CAUCUS MEMBERS ARE SAYING:
“SB 278 will allow Medi-Cal enrollees living with HIV to benefit from programs based on performance metrics by allowing viral load data to be shared confidentially for the purpose of administering quality improvement programs,” said Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D- Yolo). “This change will ensure that Medi-Cal enrollees living with HIV can benefit from the same incentive-driven improvements in care as patients with any other medical issue can.”
“Protecting Title IX rights in California is imperative, especially with the flurry of changes being made under the Trump Administration in these first months,” said Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D- Riverside). “SB 289 would establish a statewide Title IX Oversight Office to serve as a point of contact for students who are dissatisfied with campus-based policies or investigative procedures designed to prevent or address incidents of rape or sexual assault and gender discrimination. This new office would also extend protections related to LGBTQ rights. SB 289 will uphold these rights and ensure that the educational experiences for all students are safe and inclusive.”
“While the latest data shows hate crimes have decreased in California, we have unfortunately seen an increase in hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ Californians, especially our TGI siblings,” said Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D- South Los Angeles). “That’s why I’m proud to have introduced AB 822 - an LGBTQ Caucus priority bill - to ensure we extend the work of the Commission on State of Hate, a vital entity to enhance our efforts to comprehensively address acts of hate and violence against our most vulnerable communities.”
“The federal administration’s insistence on disrupting fundamental medical and mental health services – including the potential to infringe on the right to access to HIV prevention medications like PrEP – must not be tolerated,” said Assemblymember Mark González (D- Los Angeles). “California will continue to protect against threats from this administration – the LGBTQ Caucus and ally members will stand united and defend California values.”
“More than ever, we must uplift the dignity and humanity of all people. The LGBTQ Caucus’ legislative package is a testament to that commitment, ensuring that our laws reflect the values of equity, inclusion, and respect,” said Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D- Moreno Valley). “I proudly stand with my colleagues in advancing policies that protect and empower LGBTQ+ individuals across California. Together, we continue the fight for justice and equality for all.”
"The California LGBTQ Caucus remains steadfast in defending our community from relentless attacks at the federal level," said State Senator John Laird (D- Santa Cruz). "As California continues to lead in advancing equality, we are committed to expanding health equity and access through bills like SB 504, protecting our transgender community, and combatting hate. Additionally, I am proud to have launched the Senate Select Committee on Older LGBTQ+ Californians to address the unique challenges faced by aging members of our community. Now more than ever, we must stand together to build a future where every LGBTQ+ Californian can live their authentic self.”
“As the federal government attempts to vilify, dehumanize, and erase our LGBTQ+ community members, we must stand strong and fight for our freedom to live authentically,” said Assemblymember Alex Lee (D- San Jose). “The LGBTQ Caucus’ priority and endorsed bills will protect and advance the basic human rights of the LGBTQ+ community. As part of the legislative package, AB 678 will ensure that our state-funded homelessness programs are inclusive, supportive, and affirming. I’m proud to author the bill and take an important step towards providing compassionate services for unhoused LGBTQ+ Californians.”
“Our work in the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus is critical to protecting the rights of millions of Californians against hate and discrimination,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D- Pasadena). “The Trump Administration has targeted LGBTQ people including our youth. His hateful and divisive rhetoric is fueling hate crimes by far right extremists who are obsessed with trans women athletes who represent just 10 people out of 510,000 college athletes in the nation. Our Caucus is not afraid. We will stand up and bring legislative solutions to ensure our fellow LGBTQ neighbors can live their lives with the same protections every Californian deserves.”
“As a former school board member, I am proud to have introduced AB 908, the LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Fair Treatment in Schools (LIFT) Act. This measure aims to address the disproportionate challenges our LGBTQ+ students face and safeguard supportive environments in our schools,” said Assemblymember José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood). “Our LGBTQ Caucus remains committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and success of all students.”
“At a time when extremist attacks on our rights are escalating across the country, California must continue to lead. That’s why I’m proud to introduce key legislation to protect our community and ensure everyone can live freely and authentically,” said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D- West Hollywood). “AB 715 protects attorneys from being punished for assisting patients, providers, and others seeking or offering essential health care—like abortion and gender-affirming care—that is legal in California but criminalized elsewhere. AB 1084 streamlines the process for transgender and nonbinary Californians to update their legal documents, reducing wait times and ensuring timely issuance of birth certificates and marriage licenses. These bills safeguard our freedoms, affirm our identities, and protect access to essential health care—at a time when our LGBTQ+ community needs it more than ever.”
For questions or to schedule an interview with Chair Ward, contact Anthony.Reyes@asm.ca.gov with Natalia.Garcia@asm.ca.gov cc’d. For questions or to schedule an interview with Vice Chair Menjivar, contact Celeste.Jale@sen.ca.gov with Jacob.Fraker@sen.ca.gov cc’d.
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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LGBTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2025, our membership hit a new milestone of 14 members, maintaining its position as one of the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.
For more information on how to support the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus’s 2025 Priority and Endorsed Bill Package, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/legislative-priorities/2025.
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