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Tax Dollars Should Fund Children’s Education, Not Attorneys’ Fees in Child Sex Abuse Cases
Lobbyists for school districts and unions push to curb AB 218, risking reduced compensation for survivors despite over 10% of K-12 students affected by abuse, advocates warn.
- Recently, California's Legislature is considering revisions to Assembly Bill 218 as school districts' lobbyists, public employee unions and insurance interests press lawmakers assigned to 'explore solutions' to reduce survivors' access.
- In 2019, the Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom enacted AB 218 to give K-12 public school students the same compensation rights as victims in private settings, due to growing awareness of widespread abuse.
- Legislative proposals such as SB 577 and SB 832 show school districts, joint powers authorities, insurance allies and their lobbyists pressuring to reduce survivors' rights and compensation access.
- Advocates warn that weakening AB 218 would be a grave injustice and reduce public schools' incentive to protect children, as school and insurance lobbyists misrepresent its fiscal impact.
- Enrollment declines — not abuse claims — drive most budget gaps, as California's Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team recently found most districts remained fiscally strong and only four districts face significant distress, and last year's intense lobbying produced two bills that failed after backlash.
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10 Articles
10 Articles
The Mercury news+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Tax dollars should fund children’s education, not attorneys’ fees in child sex abuse cases
State analysis projects total school district liability to top $3 billion, much higher when you factor in recent settlements in L.A. County.
·San Jose, United States
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Cal Matters+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Will California lawmakers break their promise to child sexual abuse survivors?
California’s Legislature is considering revising a state law that has enabled more victims of child sexual abuse to sue public schools. This column argues against reforming the law. This accompanying column argues for it. Guest Commentary written by John Manly John Manly is an attorney representing children who were victims of sexual abuse and assault. Lobbyists for school districts, public employee unions and insurance interests are again pre…
·Sacramento, United States
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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