Urge Governor Brown to end juvenile life without the possibility of parole

The California State Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act to reform California’s sentencing practices for juveniles. SB 9 would provide an opportunity for resentencing to youth sentenced to life in prison who have served a considerable amount of their sentence and who have met rigorous rehabilitation criteria. Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman said, "Senate Bill 9 provides the possibility of parole for young people who have shown they deserve a second chance and the opportunity to become productive members of our communities. Science tells us juvenile brains will change and mature. Our hearts tell us children deserve the chance to grow up and give back.” Read Mrs. Edelman full statement and our action alert for more information on SB 9.

The bill is on Governor Brown’s desk awaiting signature or veto – please urge Governor Brown to sign SB 9 into law.

On the verge of achieving school discipline reforms in California!

Over the past year, CDF-CA joined many of its partners to support several bills that aim to reform school discipline policies by securing more just treatment of students who are struggling to remain connected to school, while still holding them accountable for their actions. Seven bills related to engaging all students in school have made it out of the legislature and now await Governor Brown’s signature. You can learn more and also TAKE ACTION by urging the governor to sign these bills today!

California schools suspend more than 400,000 students a year, and many of these suspensions can and should be prevented by using alternative means of correction such as Positive Behavioral and Intervention Supports and restorative justice practices. Using alternative means prevents thousands of students from unnecessarily missing days of valuable classroom instruction. Passage of these bills would help prevent disproportionate impact of excessive and unfair school suspensions and expulsions on students of color, and also help schools create more positive and welcoming learning environments for all students. Watch how youth advocates, including two CDF-CA Beat the Odds finalists, make recommendations to lawmakers about how to fix excessive and unjust school discipline practices.

Advocates and lawmakers ask: Why are California schools suspending more students than they graduate?

On Monday, September 10, many organizations and community members assembled for a statewide hearing, sponsored by California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and The California Endowment, to examine new federal civil rights data and explore alternatives to excessive and unfair zero tolerance school discipline policies in California. California schools suspend more than 400,000 students a year, and students of color are often subject to harsher punishments for the same behavior. The hearing featured Russlynn H. Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, who described how “split second decisions” made by school staff can result in civil rights violations when observed over time. Many youth advocates spoke about having to deal with zero tolerance school discipline practices at their schools. Watch BTO finalists and other youth advocates offer up their solutions to create more positive school climates, and learn about legislation awaiting the governor’s signature that would fix school discipline in California.

Key legislation affecting children’s health heads to governor’s desk

In partnership with the 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of The Children's Partnership, Children Now, and Children's Defense Fund-California, CDF-CA continues to advocate for affordable, comprehensive health coverage for all of California's children. This legislative session, CDF-CA supported legislative bills to ensure successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California and make important changes to eligibility and enrollment for health coverage programs. Visit our California Legislation webpage for a list of bills that CDF-CA has prioritized, and which ones made it to the governor’s desk.