Press Releases

Senator Wiener and Assemblymember Gloria Announce Bill to Modernize Discriminatory HIV Criminalization Laws

Equality California, Positive Women's Network - USA, ACLU and others join in support of bill to reform outdated laws enacted during a time of fear and ignorance to make them more consistent with laws involving other serious communicable diseases

February 7, 2017

Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) introduced a bill to modernize laws that criminalize and stigmatize people living with HIV. Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) is also a co-author of the bill. Senate Bill 239 would amend California’s HIV criminalization laws, enacted in the 1980s and ‘90s at a time of fear and ignorance about HIV and its transmission, to make them consistent with laws involving other serious communicable diseases.

Senator Wiener Introduces LGBT Seniors Long-Term Care Bill of Rights

SB 219 will strengthen protections for LGBT seniors living in long-term care facilities against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status

February 3, 2017

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) today announced the introduction of SB 219, the California LGBT Seniors Long-Term Care Bill of Rights, which will strengthen protections for LGBT seniors living in long-term care facilities against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. The bill would protect all seniors living in skilled nursing facilities, immediate care facilities, and residential care facilities. Equality California is sponsoring the legislation, and Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) is co-authoring the legislation.

Senator Wiener Announces Bill Requiring Insurance Coverage of Medical Procedures for Long-Term HIV Survivors

The HEAL (Help End Antiretroviral-related Lipodystrophy) Act will require insurance companies and Medi-Cal to cover treatment of lipodystrophy, which is the result of effective but highly toxic early HIV medications

January 31, 2017

Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) will introduce the HEAL (Help End Antiretroviral-related Lipodystrophy) Act which will require insurance companies, as well as government programs, to cover medical treatment for lipodystrophy, a fat-redistribution condition impacting many HIV-positive people who took life-saving early HIV medication that were highly toxic in this regard. Equality California is sponsoring the bill.

Atkins, Wiener Announce SB 179 to Create New Gender Marker and Ease Process for Gender Change in Court Orders and on State Documents

January 26, 2017

With help from Equality California and the Transgender Law Center, Senators Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) today announced the introduction of legislation, SB 179 – The Gender Recognition Act of 2017, that will enable more transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to obtain state-issued identity documents that accurately reflect their gender.

Senator Wiener’s Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to Punish Sanctuary Cities

January 25, 2017

Today, Senator Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order calling for the blocking of federal funds to sanctuary cities.

Senator Wiener Releases Details on SB 35 – the Housing Accountability and Affordability Act

SB 35 will create more accountability to meet regional housing needs goals and streamline the production of affordable housing

January 23, 2017

Today, Senator Scott Wiener released a detailed description of Senate Bill 35 – the Housing Accountability and Affordability Act – which he first introduced in December. SB 35 will create a streamlined approval process for housing when cities are not meeting the housing creation goals required by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which will expedite the construction of affordable housing.

Senators Wiener and Atkins to Introduce Legislation to Make it Easier for Cannabis Businesses to Pay Taxes and Fees, in Collaboration with Board of Equalization Chair Fiona Ma

Legislation will allow cannabis business owners to pay state taxes/fees at either state or local tax collector offices, thus avoiding need to travel long distances with suitcases of cash in light of federal ban on cannabis businesses using bank accounts

January 17, 2017

Sacramento – Today, Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), in collaboration with Board of Equalization Chair Fiona Ma (who is sponsoring the bill), will introduce legislation - the Cannabis Safe Payment Act - to make it safer and simpler for cannabis business owners to pay state fees and taxes, encouraging compliance with state laws and providing support for business owners.

Senator Wiener’s Statement on City College of San Francisco Securing Accreditation

January 13, 2017

Today, Senator Scott Wiener offered the following statement on the news that City College of San Francisco has secured full accreditation for seven years.

Senator Wiener to Introduce Bill Requiring Solar Power on New Buildings to Advance California’s Leadership on Climate Change

In the face of an incoming Trump administration hostile to environmental protections, Wiener’s renewable energy ordinance will make California the first state in the country to require solar power on new buildings

January 9, 2017

Today Senator Scott Wiener will introduce legislation to require the installation of solar power on new residential and commercial buildings constructed in California. This legislation would make California the first state in the country to require solar to be installed on new construction, and will keep California at the forefront of the fight against climate change as the incoming Trump Administration signals a hostile relationship to environmental protections and policies.

Senator Wiener’s Statement on San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Law Going into Effect

Law authored by Senator Wiener when he was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors creates most expansive paid parental leave in the country, providing San Francisco workers 6 weeks of fully paid leave

January 3, 2017

San Francisco – Today Senator Scott Wiener offered the following statement about San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Law going into effect. He authored the law last year as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:

“I’m so proud that San Francisco is leading the country in requiring fully paid parental leave for the people who work in our great city,” said Senator Wiener. “There are so many challenges for people trying to raise families, and choosing between taking care of a newborn and collecting a paycheck should not be one of them. I hope this law challenges our nation, states, and other cities across the country to find ways to expand paid parental leave for workers and families, especially in this time of rising income inequality.”