(Sacramento, CA. October 29, 2012) The California Senior Legislature (CSL) begins its 32nd Annual Legislative Session today at the State Capitol, and will adjourn on Thursday afternoon later this week. The 2013 Top Ten State Legislative Proposals and Top Four Federal proposals will be announced at a press conference in Room 1190 located in the State Capitol at 9:30 am on Friday November 2, 2012.  

In 1979 State Assemblymember Henry Mello introduced legislation to create the CSL for the purpose of providing model legislation for older citizens and advocating for the needs of older adults. The CSL is an independent state agency supporting 120 Senior Assembly Members and Senior Senators, 60 years of age and older, elected by their peers. Funding of the small agency is provided by individual taxpayer contributions to the California Fund for Senior Citizens. During the Annual Legislative Session this year, members will hold policy committee hearings and floor sessions reviewing 80 proposals addressing a myriad of issues important to older Californians. 

This year, Governor Brown signed ten bills, originally presented as proposals developed by CSL members. These bills will provide additional protection for California's six million seniors. With this signing, CSL has a record total of ten new bills enacted into law this year!

The following nine bills and one joint resolution were signed by the Governor in 2012:

AB 40 - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada

Requires a mandated reporter make a telephone report of suspected or alleged physical abuse that occurs in a long-term care facility.

AB 278 - Assemblymember Mike Eng

Amends existing law relating to the foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust secured by residential property.

AB 1525 - Assemblymember Michael Allen

Requires specified money transmission licensees, such as Western Union, MoneyGram, etc., to provide their agents with training materials on how to recognize elder or dependent adult financial abuse and on an appropriate response.

AB 2010 - Assemblymember Susan Bonita 

Prohibits a reverse mortgage application to be taken by a lender unless the applicant has been provided a specified notice advising the availability of reverse mortgage loan counseling.

AB 2374 - Assemblymember Roger Hernandez

Prohibits a fee to be charged by a credit reporting agency to and individual, 65 years or older, wishing to place an initial credit report freeze.

AJR 30 - Assemblymember Richard Pan

Memorializes the President and the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that would add comprehensive, preventative dental car coverage to Medicare benefits.

SB 345 - Senator Lois Wolk

Requires the Office of the State Long-Term care Ombudsman to submit an annual advocacy report to the legislature in accordance with provisions of federal Law.

SB 900 - Senator Mark Leno

Amends existing law relating to the foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust secured by residential property.

SB 1047 - Senator Elaine Alquist

Requires that if a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency, and certain requirements are met related to age of the person reported missing, the law enforcement agency shall request the Highway Patrol to activate a Silver Alert.

SB 1198 - Senator Ron Calderon

Requires the Department of Veteran Affairs to publicize information pertaining to benefits that are available to qualified homeless veterans.

In 1982, then Governor Jerry Brown observed, "The California Senior Legislature offers our older citizens a special opportunity to assist me and the Legislature in developing priorities for years to come." Now in 2012, CSL is still going strong as a result of dedicated members who work diligently to achieve the mission of CSL to improve the quality life for Aging Californians 

You can learn more about these new laws and the CSL by visiting www.4csl.org.