Senator Wiener’s Mental Health Coverage, Affordable Housing, Density, LGTBQ Data, and Zoning for Homeless Shelter Bills Move Forward, Will Be Voted on by Senate

June 18, 2020

Sacramento - Five of Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and will be taken up for a vote by the full Senate

The bills must be approved through a Senate floor vote by Friday, June 26th, after which they will move to the Assembly.

The following is a full list of bills moving to the Senate floor:

SB 855 - Mental Health Coverage

Requires major reform of private health insurance companies to insure they cover medically necessary treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

SB 899 - Affordable Housing on Faith Institution & Nonprofit Property

Permits affordable housing on land owned by religious organizations, nonprofit colleges and nonprofit hospitals regardless of local zoning restrictions.

SB 902 - Local Control for Increased Housing Density

Allows local governments a streamlined path to zone for more homes — up to ten units per parcel — if they choose.

SB 932- Collecting LGTBQ Data

Mandates the state sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data for anyone tested or treated for COVID-19.

SB 1138  - Zoning for Homeless Shelters 

Closes loopholes in housing law to require cities and counties to zone for and build shelters for homeless individuals so they can access critical services and get connected to permanent housing.