California Senate Judiciary hears wide slate of bills on DEI, schools, consumer protections, public safety and privacy; multiple measures moved on to fiscal or.

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened in Room 2100 to hear a heavy agenda that ranged from a symbolic statement on diversity, equity and inclusion to bills addressing school funding after immigration raids, online pet‑sales transparency, microplastic bans in personal care products, mobile‑home cooling rights, and privacy protections for patients and health workers. The Committee moved multiple measures forward for fiscal review or to other committees.

The most prominent early item, Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, presented by Senator Smallwood‑Cuevas, affirms the legislature's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as “foundational” to California government. Lakisha Khamis of Black Women for Wellness Action Project told the committee the resolution "not only affirms California values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it also shows that these are principles that are foundational to a thriving, just, and prosperous society." Testimony in support also included representatives from environmental, interfaith and equity groups; no organized opposition appeared at the hearing.

School funding amid immigration enforcement Assemblymember Banes presented AB 13 48, a measure intended to let schools preserve attendance‑based funding when immigration enforcement around schools causes families to keep children home. Banes cited district data showing large attendance drops—"22% above normal" in one rural district and absences above 30% at some charter schools in Los Angeles—and said the bill prevents school funding from being lost when families avoid school because of enforcement activity. Witnesses from the California Charter Schools Association, the California Federation of Teachers and the Los Angeles County Office of Education described operational burdens and urged the committee’s "aye" vote. The bill would permit schools to apply for relief similar to the limited list of conditions that already excuse attendance declines (for example, certain disasters), and proponents said additional implementation details on how the average daily attendance adjustments would be calculated will follow.

Consumer protections, animals and online sales Assemblymember Bennett presented AB 506, the consumer and animal‑welfare bill aimed at online pet brokers. Witnesses including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the San Diego Humane Society said brokers often take nonrefundable deposits and conceal breeder and veterinary records; AB 506 would prohibit nonrefundable deposits and require disclosure of available vet records and seller information when known. Supporters said the change would reduce fraud and shelter surrenders; no organized opposition testified at the hearing and the author agreed to the committee amendments offered.

A related consumer measure, AB 559, would treat accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction as a home‑improvement project under contractor law so consumers get existing payment and contract…