(Sacramento) Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has introduced AB 1817 to require commercial computer technicians to be mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect. “Computer technicians are on the front lines for discovering child sexual abuse and pornography,” said Atkins.  “Making them mandated reporters protects children and aids law enforcement in finding and stopping the predators who abuse them.” Under current law, commercial film and photographic print processors are required to be mandated reporters of…

(Sacramento) Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has introduced legislation to prevent abusive ex-spouses from forcing their victims to pay them spousal support and other financial compensation following a divorce. AB 1522 was inspired by the case of a San Diego area woman who was ordered by a court to pay her husband’s legal fees plus monthly spousal support, despite the fact that he was convicted of committing violent sex crimes against her and was ultimately…

Statement On Today's California Supreme Court Ruling In Marriage Equality Case (San Diego) The California Supreme Court ruled today that proponents of Proposition 8, which repealed marriage rights for same sex couples in California, have the legal right to defend the measure, which has been challenged on constitutional grounds in an ongoing federal case. "Today's ruling by the California Supreme Court gives initiative proponents the right to defend a measure in court when the State's…

(San Diego) Assembly Bill 499 by State Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today. The bill closes a gap in the law to allow young people to seek preventive treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) without an involved parent. Currently, minors have access to diagnosis and treatment services, but not preventive services such as vaccinations. "It doesn't make sense for our state's laws to provide youth with direct…