Barger stands against sexually violent predators in Antelope Valley
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger yesterday saw the Board of Supervisors approve her motion to support two State Senate bills to protect communities from the state’s placement of sexually violent predators in them.
Ther measures address local law enforcement capacity as a selection consideration and by analyzing the feasibility of establishing more structured transitional housing options.
Barger’s motion highlights growing concerns over the pattern of sexually violent predators being placed in the rural Antelope Valley under current state law. The motion identifies significant public safety issues—such as delayed emergency response, isolated locations lacking infrastructure, and heavy burden on law enforcement—that are not addressed by current placement guidelines.
“Today’s vote sends a clear message: Los Angeles County is taking action to protect rural Antelope Valley neighborhoods from becoming the default destination for Sexually Violent Predator placements without meaningful consideration for community safety,” said Barger.
“Counties are limited in their ability to change state requirements, so we need these new laws to establish stronger safeguards. These bills will help ensure that predators receive proper supervision and support while also prioritizing the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Menijvar: State budget delays Infertility Treatment Health Care Coverage
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) announced yesterday that the state’s three-party budget agreement included a provision to delay the implementation of Senate Bill 729—Infertility Treatment Health Care Coverage, which she authored.
SB 729 mandates that large group health care plans provide coverage for infertility care, and to include IVF. As signed by the Governor in 2024, SB 729 was to take effect on July 1, 2025, but the California State Budget trailer bill delayed implementation to January 1, 2026.
“As someone who would have to rely on access to fertility treatments for my own family-building, I understand the disappointment with a delay of coverage,” said Menjivar.
“I know how frustrating another 6 months is, both emotionally and financially, for folks who are counting the days until they can welcome a child. Our state has never mandated infertility health care coverage, so I hope Californians can be patient with us a little longer as we get this right for its implementation now in January 2026. And remember, SB 729 is just one battle in our quest to expand fertility and infertility treatment coverage to even more aspiring parents.”
Individuals are still encouraged to check with their health plans directly, since SB 729 is specific to large group health care plans, and some employers have already elected to include this coverage.
Brownley reintroduces Reckless Gun Dealers Act
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas CA) this week reintroduced the Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act, legislation that would require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to publish detailed annual reports on gun dealers who violate federal firearm laws and the outcomes of related enforcement actions.
“Far too often, gun dealers who break the law continue operating with little to no accountability, putting our communities at risk and fueling the gun violence epidemic in this country,” said Brownley. “When firearm dealers violate federal law, there must be real consequences. My bill will ensure greater transparency by requiring the ATF to release clear, reliable data on these violations and enforcement actions, because preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands is critical to keeping our communities safe.”
Specifically, the Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act would require the ATF to annually report:
- The number of ATF inspections completed each month, by month.
- The number of federal firearm licenses revoked that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have been revoked.
- The number of federal firearm licenses not renewed in lieu of revocation that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have not been renewed.
- The number of federal firearms licensee inspections resulting in a Qualifying Violation for a revocation, regardless of inspection outcome.
- The number of Inspections with Qualifying Violations where revocation was ultimately not pursued.
- The number of non-revocation remedial actions taken by the ATF.
Friedman Leads No Masks for ICE Act
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) announced yesterday that she is helping lead federal legislation prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from concealing their identities during enforcement actions.
The No Masks for ICE Act would require ICE agents to wear visible identification and prohibit face coverings during operations, except when necessary to address specific safety concerns.
“In a democracy, law enforcement should be visible, accountable, and working to build trust — not operating in the shadows,” said Friedman. “ICE agents wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves during raids doesn’t make our communities safer. It makes them more fearful, more vulnerable, and less protected. I’m proud to help lead this effort to restore basic transparency and public safety.”
Among supporters of the federal legislation are Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
“Burbank has always prided itself in having some of the best police and fire in our nation because our residents value safety, justice, and the spirit of community. That spirit of community and safety has been shattered over the last few weeks by the threat and occurrence of ICE raids, violations of due process, and more recently, increasing reports of individuals impersonating ICE agents,” said Perez.
“If ICE is truly practicing law enforcement and following the due process of law, then why the need to cover your faces and hide identification like a criminal? There’s no need. Ultimately, this should not be seen as a partisan issue or even an issue of immigration enforcement. This is simply put, a general public safety issue.”
Raman noted that for the past 23 days, ICE agents have conducted raids across the city that have been disruptive, cruel, and frankly, unconstitutional. Many of these raids have been led by agents in plain clothes, wearing no identification, refusing to show a badge, and even covering up their faces.
“It is a basic tenet of a democratic society that law enforcement must be accountable to the public. The No Masks for ICE Act is a first step, a minimal step, towards restoring that accountability. I’m proud to support this bill and to stand with Congresswoman Friedman to demand transparency, accountability, and the basic safety and protections for everyone in our community,” said Raman.
