THIRD READING

Bill No: ACR 201

Author: Gonzalez (D)

Amended: 8/23/16 in Assembly

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 8/30/16

SUBJECT: California Young Parents Day

SOURCE: California Latinas for Reproductive Justice

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes August 25, 2016, and every August 25 thereafter, as California Young Parents Day and urges all Californians to join in celebrating California Young Parents Day.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

Young mothers and fathers, as all families, deserve dignity, tangible support, and recognition as important members of California communities.
Young people of all economic backgrounds, gender identities and expression, sexualities, abilities, and immigration statuses have the right to parent the children they have.
Pregnant and parenting youth have the right, as all youth, to all support needed to continue with their educational and career goals, including child care, health care, housing assistance, and job training and other economic opportunities.
Using negative language and stereotypes around young parenting serves only to blame and denigrate young people for their circumstances and does not reflect their realities.
Pregnant, parenting, and nonparenting youth must have access to culturally relevant and gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health services and educational, material, economic, and emotional support.

This resolution recognizes the contributions and needs of young parents and that this resolution serves as a framework to inform future policy decisions that affect their well-being. This resolution recognizes August 25, 2016, and every August 25 thereafter, shall be recognized as “California Young Parents Day” and that all Californians are encouraged to celebrate the occasion.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/31/16)

California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (source)

ACCESS Women’s Health Justice

ACT for Women and Girls

Advocates for Youth

American Academy for Pediatrics - California

Black Women for Wellness

California Immigrant Policy Center

Citizens for Choice

Civil Liberties & Public Policy Program

Fathers & Families of San Joaquin

Fresno Barrios Unidos

Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Coalition

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

National Compadres Network

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

The American Civil Liberties Union of California

The Sea Change Program

Western Center on Law & Poverty

Young Women United

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/31/16)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the support:

The California Young Parents Resolution acknowledges the extensive health, educational and systemic inequities many low-income pregnant and parenting youth face. These inequities include limited access to comprehensive sexuality education, educational and career opportunities, and other support services, such as child-care, health care, housing assistance and job training.

By having a Day of Recognition, California helps shift the negative perceptions and treatment of young parents that often result in undermining their decision-making and aspirations. The health and wellness of young parents and their children is our shared responsibility and must be reflected in our state policies. Uplifting the contributions and needs of young parents through a resolution can be the beginning of a long-term effort that values their future—when young parents do well economically, educationally, and socially, their children do better and so do all of our communities. ACR 201 would demonstrate that California policymakers continue to lead the nation in affirming that all our youth are valuable and deserving of dignity and opportunity.

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

8/31/16 11:29:22

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ACR 201: California Young Parents Day.

Senate Floor

Assembly Floor

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