A BLOCK OF NEW BILLS FROM MARTY BLOCK

May 28, 2009 (Lemon Grove)--Freshman Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) has been busy. During his first few weeks in Sacramento, Block introduced 23 bills that he believes will “make a difference for our communities.” Block added, “ In these difficult times for our state budget, I made sure to only author legislation that will have no impact to the state’s General Fund.”

Bills introduced by Block include:

AB 24 calls for a feasibility study for a San Diego State University satellite program, and ultimately, an independent CSU campus, in the City of Chula Vista.

AB 374 requires public schools to obtain written consent from students and their parents or guardians if the student intends to drop out from high school. This would inform students and parents of the negative consequences of not finishing high school. Similar efforts in the Chicago public school system have resulted in a reduction in the number of drop outs.

AB 434 supports after school programs by reducing the one-third funding requirement to 15% of cash or in-kind local fundraising support from school districts, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the private sector. This eases the fundraising burdens on local after school programs.

AB 628 permits toll roads (like the South Bay Expressway) to begin using their vehicle identification cameras, which they now use to capture toll violators, for payment of normal toll rates. Incase drivers want to use the toll road but don’t have exact change or a Fastrak transponder, they could now drive through the toll point and have a picture of their license plate taken. Agencies would then send drivers a bill in the mail for the normal toll rate.

AB 667 clarifies who may apply fluoride varnish once it has been prescribed by a dentist or physician in order to expand its use in public and school-based health programs to prevent and control dental disease. This increases the opportunities available to children to obtain fluoride varnish treatments.

AB 1317 requires a warning in all advertisements for oocyte (egg) donation associated with the delivery of a fertility treatment. The warning informs patients that there are potential health risks associated with human egg donation and advises consulting with one's own physician.