Bill to Aid Home Policyholders After a Disaster Sent to Wilson

The Senate has passed and sent to Gov. Pete Wilson a so-called “homeowners’ bill of rights” designed to offer increased protection to policyholders whose homes are damaged by earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters.

A 22-14 vote near the end of the legislative session sent the bill (SB 1355) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to the governor. It previously passed the Assembly by a 44-34 margin.

One of the measure’s provisions would require insurers to notify homeowners of their rights immediately after a natural disaster and tell them what their agents and adjusters can and cannot do.

Another provision would require homeowner insurance policies to be written in plain English that is easy to understand.

Torres said some victims of natural disasters have been forced to wait up to four years for insurance settlements to rebuild their homes and lives.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Domestic Violence: Passed and sent to the governor on a 60-2 vote a bill (AB 93X) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to require a person granted probation in a domestic violence case to serve at least 36 months probation, successfully complete a batterer’s program, and allow judges to order the defendant to pay up to $5,000 to a battered women’s shelter. Action on this bill was prompted by the O.J. Simpson case.

* Driver’s Licenses: Passed and sent to the governor on a 56-11 vote a bill (AB 79X) by Assemblyman Robert Frazee (R-Carlsbad) to authorize a six-month suspension of the driver’s licenses of persons who are convicted of criminal drug offenses.

* Student Expulsion: Passed and sent to the governor on a 64-3 vote a bill (AB 2752) by Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) to allow school principals to expel students who harass, threaten or intimidate other students.

* Gender Pricing: Passed and sent to the governor on a 46-28 vote a bill (AB 2418) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to prohibit merchants from charging more money for goods or services solely because of the consumer’s gender.

* Assault Weapons: Rejected on a 33-39 vote a bill (SB 46X ) by Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) to ban copycat assault weapons in California.

SENATE

Floor Action

* School Tests: Passed and sent to the governor on a 21-11 vote a bill (SB 1273) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to revamp the format for school performance tests known as the California Comprehensive Testing Program, formerly the California Learning Assessment System, and give parents a larger role in their development.

* Sexual Harassment: Passed and sent to the governor on a 21-14 vote a bill (SB 1335) by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) to clarify the legal definition of workplace sexual harassment. It would expand the definition to include unwelcome sexual conduct that a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim would consider to be sufficient to alter employment conditions.

* Domestic Violence: Passed and sent to the governor on a 39-0 vote a bill (SB 739) by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) to increase penalties for anyone convicted of inflicting great bodily harm in a domestic violence situation.

* Unmarried Couples: Rejected on a 19-19 vote, a bill (SB 2061) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to allow extension of health care benefits to gay and other unmarried couples employed by local governmental agencies that contract with the state retirement system.

* Needle Exchange: Passed and sent to the governor on a 22-17 vote a bill (AB 2610) by Assemblywoman Vivien Bronshvag (D-Kentfield) to authorize cities and counties to set up clean needle and syringe exchange pilot projects for drug addicts to help prevent the spread of AIDS.

* Firearms: Rejected on a 18-21 vote, a bill (AB 1818) by Assemblyman Mike Gotch (D-San Diego) to prohibit the sale of any semiautomatic pistol that does not have a loaded chamber indicator.