Press Releases

Assemblymember Patel’s Bill Protecting Firefighters from Toxic Battery Fires Goes to the Governor

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel celebrates the successful passage of AB 841 through the California Legislature. This bill addresses the increasing exposure to toxic chemicals that firefighters face during lithium-ion battery fires by convening a working group to recommend improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination procedures.

As California leads the nation in...

Patel Bill to Remove Barriers for Families in Crisis Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) celebrates the Legislature's passage of AB 1074, which eliminates bureaucratic barriers that prevent low-income parents from accessing financial support while working to reunify with children in foster care. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom's desk with bipartisan support. 

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to...

Patel Bill to Tackle Special Education Teacher Shortage Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO —Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) celebrates the passage of AB 1119 from the legislature as it moves on to the Governor for his signature. AB 1119 addresses California’s teacher shortage by directing the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop regulations to create more efficient routes to dual credentialing for teacher candidates and existing teachers...

Palomar and the Politics of Care: Two Approaches to Representation

            When someone you love ends up in the ER, healthcare isn't political, it’s personal. It’s the child who falls off a bike, the expectant mother going into labor sooner than expected, the spouse whose chest tightens without warning. In those moments—even with insurance, even with a nearby hospital—we are vulnerable. Proposed federal cuts to healthcare for millions of Californians would...

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Co-Hosts Landmark Hearing on Affordability and Economic Pressures in San Diego County

San Marcos, CA — As rising costs continue to strain working families across California, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel co-hosts the first-of-its-kind informational hearing in San Diego County on affordability, economic pressure, and community-driven solutions. 

Held at California State University, San Marcos, the hearing is part of the California Pocketbook Tour and convened by the Assembly...

Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel Secures Key Investments in State Budget to Support Public Safety, Education, and Economic Opportunity

SACRAMENTO—Amid federal tariffs and cuts to key American institutions, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) voted to advance California’s 2025-26 budget, which contains core priorities she championed and supported.

The California Legislature has held 67 budget hearings this year to deliver for Californians as well as possible. The budget passed by the Legislature this week...

Assembly Passes Assemblymember Patel’s Bill to Increase Cal Grant Financial Aid and Restore Grant Equity for Students

SACRAMENTO — The California State Assembly passed AB 402, authored by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County). This bill, which increases the Cal Grant aid size for low and middle-income students attending private nonprofit colleges, received bipartisan support and is now moving to the Senate.

The Cal Grant program provides financial aid to students based on merit and need. Since its...

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Announces 2025 District 76 Non-Profit of the Year

Sacramento, CA—Assemblymember Patel (D-San Diego County) honors Interfaith Community Services as the 2025 District 76 Non-Profit of the Year for their decades of service empowering vulnerable community members across North San Diego County.

Founded in 1979 through the partnership of fourteen local faith communities, Interfaith has grown into the region’s most comprehensive social services agency...

Assemblymember Patel’s Bill on Updating Library Standards Advances out of the Assembly Committee on Education

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Patel (D-San Diego County) and the bill’s sponsors—California School Library Association—celebrate the unanimous passage of AB 279 out of the Assembly Education Committee. This legislation directs the Instructional Quality Commission to recommend updated Model School Library Standards (MSLS) and requires their adoption by July 1, 2028. These standards have not been...

Assemblymember Patel’s Bill Addressing Threats to Crucial Facilities and Institutions Moves Forward

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) and bill co-sponsors—San Diego District Attorney’s Office, California District Attorney Association, and the California Police Chiefs Association—celebrate the passage of AB 237 from the Assembly Public Safety Committee. AB 237 safeguards people who work in, visit, or rely on daycares, schools, universities, workplaces, houses of...

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