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California Assembly Passes Gender-Neutral Restroom Bill

Publication: Reuters

A bill requiring all single-occupancy public restrooms to be open to anyone regardless of gender or gender identity passed the California Assembly on Monday, and will proceed to the state Senate.

The most populous U.S. state already bars discrimination against transgender people, including in public restrooms. The measure by state Assemblyman Phil Ting, a Democrat from San Francisco, goes farther, saying that single-use restrooms should not be reserved for one sex.

"Restrooms are a necessity of life, making equal access to them a civil rights issue," Ting said in a press statement.

The measure passed on a 55-19 vote. A date has not been set for the Senate to consider the bill.

Supporters have said that in addition to protecting transgender or gender fluid people, the bill would also cut down waiting time at single-occupancy public restrooms by allowing anyone to use facilities previously reserved for men or women.

CA Assembly Passes Bill for Universal, “All Gender” Restroom Access

Vote contrasts with discriminatory laws recently enacted in other states

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to establish the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law among states.  AB 1732 would require all single-occupancy restrooms in California to be universally accessible and identified as “all gender.”  The vote stood in contrast with North Carolina filing suit today against the U.S. Justice Department in defense of its discriminatory restroom law.

“We just sent a powerful message to the nation.  This is a simple, safe, and respectful alternative to the hate being legislated in other states,” said Ting.  “Restrooms are a necessity of life, making equal access to them a civil rights issue.  Gender segregated access to a solitary restroom defies common sense.  This bill moves us in a direction where everyone’s rights are respected and protected.”

Ting Bill to Ease Voting Process for Disabled Voters Passes Assembly Vote

(SAN FRANCISCO) – A bill that would protect the voting rights of disabled individuals passed off the Assembly floor today. AB 2252, by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), would allow voters with disabilities to vote with the same convenience that military and overseas voters have by receiving their ballots via email.

“Technology has permeated many aspects of our daily lives for greater convenience and efficiency. In government, technology has proven an effective tool in greater transparency and public participation,” said Ting. “However, the act of voting itself is not as convenient or accessible as it should be and vote by mail only systems have proven an obstacle for some voters to participate. By emailing ballots to voters living with disabilities, we can ensure that their right to vote is not compromised. AB 2252 would allow voters with disabilities to cast their vote by using technology currently limited to military and overseas voters.”

Parents, Educators Urge Passage Of Ting Bill To Prevent Gun Tragedies

Assemblyman Ting urging passage of AB2607

Call for action comes two days after the 17th Anniversary of the Columbine school shooting

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Parents, educators, gun safety advocates, and a mass shooting survivor joined State Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) in urging passage of his bill to prevent gun tragedies at schools and workplaces.  Ting’s AB 2607 passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee this week and awaits a vote of the Assembly.

CA State Assembly Passes Bill to Encourage Bicycling

(SACRAMENTO, CA) –As San Francisco schools conclude Bike and Roll to School Week, from April 18-22, the California State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to encourage more cycling.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 2509 passed 45-27 and moves to the State Senate for further review.

“We need clear laws about where it is safe and reasonable to ride,” said Ting.  “Unfortunately, state law undermines cycling in everyday situations.  This reform will encourage more people to pursue cycling as a transportation alternative that is good for their health and our environment.  Side by side riding is a critical tool for parents to buffer their kids when riding together and they shouldn’t get a ticket for it.”

Ting Legislation would Lead to More Tour Bus Safety Inspections in SF

SF Supervisors ready to act on new authority to protect public

(Sacramento, CA) – The State Assembly Transportation Committee approved legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to get more safety inspections for tour buses operating on local streets.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1677 passed with a 10-4 vote and heads to the Appropriations Committee for further review.

All Gender Restroom Bill Passes First Vote in CA Legislature Unanimously

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to establish the nation’s most progressive restroom access law among the states passed with unanimous support in the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions. 

Ting’s AB 1732 passed 14-0, with bipartisan support.  It would require single-occupancy restrooms in California businesses, government buildings, and public spaces to be identified as “all gender.”

Ting Comments on Assembly Passage of CA Minimum Wage Increase

(SACRAMENTO, CA)  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement in response to the California State Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill (SB) 3, which would incrementally increase the state’s minimum wage over five years to $15 per hour by 2022.  Ting is a principal co-author of the legislation.  The State Senate is also voting on this legislation today.  Ting’s statement follows.

“This is a historic win for working men and women.  As our economy grows, workers deserve a stake in the state’s success,” said Ting.  “Many families have not seen our economic recovery benefit their bottom line.  No one should work full time and live in poverty.  Working families deserve the dignity of a livable wage.”

Ting Comments on Audit of University of California

(SACRAMENTO, CA)  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, issued the following statement in response to the findings of an independent state audit that concluded the University of California disadvantaged California students in its admissions and financial decisions.  Ting’s statement follows.

“I am a proud Cal graduate, which makes today’s news extremely sad.  This audit confirms my worst suspicions about how the University of California has been managed.  It is shocking to see how undervalued resident students are being treated by an institution created to educate them.  Also troubling is the huge cloud over the credibility of university leadership who has intentionally kept the Legislature in the dark.  We have long sought answers about university practices impacting California students and it’s now clear that we have been either snowballed or misled.  Despite today’s news, one thing is very clear.  Lawmakers are even more committed to see big changes at the University of California that get more residents enrolled, particularly at campuses like Cal, UCLA and UCSD where they were most excluded.”

TING HONORS SF EDUCATION LEADER AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) honored Cathy Meyer of San Francisco's Outer Mission, Merced Heights, Ingleside (OMI) neighborhood during the State Assembly's Woman of the Year celebration conducted each year to celebrate Women's History Month.