Pérez wins unanimous Senate vote on immigration detention oversight bill
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D – Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) won unanimous bipartisan approval this week for her legislation establishing a statewide inspection and compliance framework for privately operated immigration detention facilities, where documented inhumane conditions include moldy food, limited access to clean water, and inadequate medical care.
Dubbed the Masuma Khan Justice Act (SB 995), the measure is named after Masuma Khan, a longtime Altadena resident and Eaton Fire survivor with no criminal history who was detained during mass immigration enforcement actions and denied warm clothing, proper food, and access to her medication while in custody.
“With a strong and unified voice, the California State Senate has declared that this is not a partisan issue, but an urgent human rights concern,” Pérez said. “This bill is rooted in the simple principle that if detention centers operate in California, they must meet California’s standards. On the Senate Floor, I spoke about the hunger strikes that are underway at the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County and at facilities across the country. These inhumane conditions must end.”
As LACP previously reported, the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County — adjacent to LA County — has a documented record of insufficient medical care and has been the subject of congressional scrutiny following the March 2026 death of Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano in custody.
SB 995 was co-sponsored by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, Public Counsel, and the South Asian Network.
Allen’s bill giving Cal insurance policyholders more time passes Senate
State Sen. Ben Allen (D – Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Torrance) advanced SB 1301 through the California Senate this week — legislation requiring insurers to give policyholders three months’ notice before dropping their coverage, explain in writing why they are being dropped, and provide a path to maintain coverage through property repairs and remediations.
California policyholders face the fourth-highest rate of nonrenewals in the nation. Meanwhile, the state’s insurer of last resort, the FAIR Plan, has seen its total exposure increase by 230% since 2022 as private insurers have fled the market, a burden ultimately subsidized by all California policyholders through rising premiums.
“Affordable and available property insurance is a necessary element to keeping families housed, but this rug is being pulled out from under too many Californians,” Allen said. “Residents and insurers need a clearer path to work hand-in-hand to reduce risk, improve insurability, and maintain existing coverage.”
The bill addresses a growing pattern of policyholders losing coverage over incorrect information — including cases where drone footage wrongly identified mold on a property, triggering nonrenewal decisions based on faulty data.
By requiring insurers to detail the specific reasons for dropping a policyholder, SB 1301 gives residents the information they need to challenge incorrect nonrenewal decisions and stay covered.
The bill now moves to the Assembly Insurance Committee for consideration in the coming weeks.
Barger launches free marketing program for Altadena small businesses
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R – Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) this week announced the launch of a free business support program designed to help Altadena small businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire rebuild their customer base and strengthen their visibility through individualized marketing support backed by Google and SoCal Grantmakers.
Called the Shop Local Marketing Lab+ initiative, the program is led by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and provides individualized marketing support backed by Google and SoCal Grantmakers. It offers two tracks of support — a digital marketing track, including website development, social media content creation, video marketing, search engine optimization, branding, and professional photography, and a physical storefront track, including custom signage, painted murals, and decorative awnings to improve curb appeal and customer visibility.
“Small business owners deserve ongoing support as they continue navigating tough economic conditions in the aftermath of the wildfires,” said Barger. “This new partnership is designed to deliver assistance that helps local businesses attract customers and position themselves for long-term success. Altadena’s small businesses are essential to the identity and vitality of the community, and we are committed to helping them thrive.”
Eligible businesses must be located and operating in Altadena, demonstrate financial impact from the Eaton Fire, operate from a brick-and-mortar commercial location, have fewer than 100 employees, and generate less than $6 million in annual revenue.
Depending on prior participation in county programs, some businesses may complete enrollment online, while others may be asked to complete the process in person at the Altadena One Stop Permit Center.
Eligible Altadena businesses can enroll through June 8 at shoplocal.la/marketing-lab. Services will continue through the summer.
Zbur bill gives part-time community college faculty access to Social Security retirement
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D – Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu) won bipartisan passage in the California State Assembly this week of his legislation (AB 2417), which requires community college districts to offer Social Security as a retirement benefit option for part-time faculty.
The bill addresses a gap that leaves many part-time community college educators — often professionals entering teaching after careers in other industries where they contributed to Social Security throughout their working lives — without clear information about their retirement choices.
Under current practice, Social Security may not be clearly presented alongside other retirement system options, and some educators select pension systems they may never fully vest into, reducing their long-term retirement security.
“Part-time faculty play an essential role in our community colleges, and they deserve the information and tools necessary to make informed decisions about their financial future,” said Zbur. “This bill is about transparency, informed choice, and helping educators retire with dignity and security.”
The bill follows the federal Social Security Fairness Act, enacted in 2025, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset — policies that had historically reduced Social Security benefits for educators and public employees.
AB 2417 now moves to the Senate.
