SACRAMENTO – Assembly policy committees today approved two bills authored by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on bipartisan votes and will head next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for its consideration. The bills are:
SB 141 – Approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee, the bill requires the California Board of Parole Hearings to consider the results of a
“comprehensive validated risk assessment for sex offenders”
for inmates that have a prior conviction for a sexually violent offense before their parole hearing. The assessment specifically tests for an inmate’s likelihood to engage in sexually violent behavior. Sen. Bates partnered with San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan’s office to author the bill.
SB 746 – Approved by the Assembly Health Committee, the bill requires all health care insurance providers, which already cover chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to cover anti-cancer medical devices as of January 1, 2020. Sen. Bates authored the bill after learning about a breakthrough treatment of solid tumor cancers called “Tumor Treating Fields” (TTF) therapy.
Currently, more than 210 million Americans are covered for TTF therapy through private insurance and health plans, as well as through public coverage. However, not all health care plans have approved coverage of anti-cancer medical devices. The key to the success of these devices is to get treatment started as soon as possible.
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) represents the 36th Senate District in the California Legislature, which covers South Orange County, North San Diego County, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
