Critical Assembly Policy Committee Approves Senator Padilla’s Legislation to Protect LGBTQ+ Community after Disasters

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management approved Senate Bill 990 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). The bill would direct the Office of Emergency Services to specifically establish what best practices state and local governments are to use when addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ community after a disaster.

“After a disaster, it is critical that everyone get the care and services they need,” said Senator Padilla. “Ensuring that we account for all of our communities when they are at their most vulnerable is in keeping with the highest of our ideals. Our practices as a state must reflect the values that we have fought so hard to protect.”

“There are still major protection gaps for our LGBTQ+ communities who are more likely to be uprooted from their homes and experience other negative impacts during a natural disaster,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California’s first openly LGBTQ+ elected statewide leader, who is co-sponsoring SB 990. “Creating a plan to reach LGBTQ+ Californians during a wildfire or earthquake is crucial. Every person in our state deserves the right to the same basic protections and assistance, especially in a disaster.”

SB 990 will require the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to update the State Emergency Plan to include proposed policies and best practices for local governments and nongovernmental entities to equitably serve LGBTQ+ communities during an emergency or natural disaster. The bill will require CalOES to coordinate with representatives from LGBTQ+ communities, including, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and researchers.

SB 990 passed the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management by a vote of 7 to 0 and now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

To read more about SB 990, click here.

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Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/