Legislative Updates on AB 2959 and AB 2709
Two bills sponsored by Coalition for Family Unity would improve lives of system-impacted families
The legislative process in Sacramento is moving into high gear, so we wanted to provide updates on AB 2959 and AB 2709, two bills championed by the Coalition for Family Unity, a working group of advocates that Felony Murder Elimination Project is proud to work alongside with to strengthen family relationships during and after incarceration.
Assembly Bill 2959 - Prioritize Families Over Profits, sponsored by Assemblyperson Liz Ortega (D-20), passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with a 5-2 vote, and now moves to the floor of the California Senate for a full vote.
AB 2959 seeks to reduce and regulate food prices in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) visiting rooms, require CDCR to renew and expand vendor contracts to include healthy options, and offer diverse food choices in prison vending machines. The bill also ensures State Prisons and each vendor are abiding by necessary regulations, preventing vendors from serving and or providing spoiled food products to the incarcerated population and their families. The legislation will enhance fairness, affordability, quality and dignity for families of incarcerated persons.
Please stay tuned for updates on AB 2959 as the legislation heads to the Senate Floor, and use the AB 2959 fact sheet to brush up and spread the word on your social media channels as to why this piece of common-sense, fair legislation is well worth the investment from California families and communities.
Assembly Bill 2709, Building Bridges, Rebuilding Hope: Not Barriers (Visiting Bill), sponsored by Assemblyperson Mia Bonta (D-18), did not survive the Senate Appropriation Committee vote and has been placed on the suspense file and will not move forward during the current legislative session. The Coalition for Family Unity plans to debrief on AB 2709 to determine the best path forward.
We are so very thankful for the hard work, advocacy, and legislative efforts of all those who support our shared goals of a fair and just criminal justice system and strengthening the bonds of families and communities who are system-impacted. The work is always about moving forward and that means some successes and some setbacks. We celebrate the successes, and we re-organize and re-approach with the setbacks, but it's always, always about moving forward.
