April 2026 Newsletter

California Department of General Services sent this bulletin at 04/30/2026 05:04 PM PDT

Building a Safer Future for All

In April, we honored Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when communities across California come together to confront a reality that is both urgent and deeply painful: sexual violence remains far too common, and its impact reaches into every corner of our state.

Sexual violence is not rare or isolated. National data shows that 1 in 3 female survivors of rape or attempted rape experience their first assault between the ages of 11 and 17. Rates are even higher for transgender and nonbinary people, Black and Native women, bisexual women, people with disabilities, and those who cannot safely report. These disparities reflect long‑standing inequities in safety, access, and support.

Sexual violence is a public health crisis, a civil rights crisis, and a moral crisis. There is no place for sexual harassment, assault, or gender‑based violence in our communities.

We believe survivors. And we will not tolerate sexual violence in any form.

At the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, our work reflects this commitment every day. We appoint members to the State Advisory Committee on Sexual Assault Victim Services, ensuring survivor voices shape trauma‑informed services statewide. We support efforts to strengthen California’s safety net for victims of crime and advance legislation designed to close dangerous gaps in protection and care. Through our Youth Advisory Council, girls across the state are elevating critical issues like teen dating violence, sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and Title IX protections.

But awareness alone is not enough. Changing the conditions that allow sexual violence to persist requires collective action. It requires communities that refuse to silence those harmed, systems that center survivors, and a culture that holds perpetrators accountable.

I invite you to take action, whether by learning more about how you can help survivors, supporting a local organization, or using your voice to advocate for safer, more equitable communities. Consider offering your voice and support for Commission-supported legislation that closes dangerous gaps like SB 1395 (Valladares), AB 1716 (Stephani), and AB 1657 (Rogers). Learn more about these Commission-supported and co-sponsored bills and how to send a letter of support below.

Every effort strengthens the network of care and moves us closer to a California where every person can live free from violence.

Thank you for your bravery, your advocacy, and your unwavering commitment to building a safer future for us all.

Executive Director Darcy Totten

Youth Advisory Council Application Period Opens May 15!

Applications for the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council will be open from May 15, 2026, to July 15, 2026.

The Commission’s Youth Advisory Council provides young women and girls in California (ages 14–20) with a meaningful platform to engage with the Commission’s legislative work and help shape and elevate policies that impact their lives.

Youth have the opportunity to connect with other youth across the state, develop advocacy and leadership skills, obtain hands-on experience with California’s policy process, participate in mentorship, and have transformative conversations about the needs of our state’s young people.

Sign up for a virtual informational session on May 22, to find out more about the application process. Come with questions.

Be ready to apply and join the next cohort of councilmembers making a difference in California!

Please share with your networks and encourage youth to apply.

Legislative Update

The California Legislature has passed its first major deadline of the 2026 session, with April 24, 2026, marking the last day for all committees to hear and vote on bills introduced in their house of origin. Following the Commission’s vote to approve its 2026 legislative package, the Commission has subsequently co-sponsored 7 bills of high priority as well as supported over 30 other bills throughout this process. Amongst these important measures, are included several initiatives related to childcare, supporting the health and well-being of women in the military, safeguarding the emotional and physical safety of women and girls in online and offline spaces, increasing access to pre-apprenticeship programs, and ensuring women can enforce their rights in the workplace, amongst others. These bills now await to be heard in their respective Appropriations committees and on the floor. The Commission looks forward to continuing to support these critical issues throughout the remainder of the process.

The Commission also further approaches other exciting milestones, including the opening of its 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council application on May 15, 2026, and next policy convening on May 19^th.

CO‑SPONSORED BILLS (2026)

AB 1616 (Davies) Veterans: PTSD Treatment Study

This bill would establish a program to fund a study for nonnarcotic post‑traumatic stress disorder treatments.

AB 1709 (Lowenthal) Age Restrictions on Covered Platforms

Prohibits a covered platform from permitting a user under 16 to create or maintain an account.

AB 1914 (Schiavo) Childcare & General Plan Updates

Requires cities and counties to update general plan elements to address childcare needs.

AB 1940 (Calderon) Menopause Discrimination Protections

Updates the definition of ‘sex’ to include perimenopause, menopause, and post‑menopause.

AB 1980 (Caloza) Women’s Pre‑Apprenticeship & Stipend Program

Appropriates $50 million to establish a pre‑apprenticeship and stipend program for women.

SB 1395 (Valladares) Protective Orders

Allows courts to issue permanent protective orders in cases involving registerable sex offenses against minors.

🛡️ SAFETY, VIOLENCE PREVENTION & JUSTICE

AB 1657 (Rogers) Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
AB 1541 (Dixon) Human Trafficking Data
SB 99 (Blakespear) Military Protective Orders
SB 891 (Cervantes) Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program

🎖️ VETERANS & MILITARY FAMILIES

AB 1775 (Ward) Licensure Assistance for Veterans

🎓 EDUCATION, YOUTH, & DIGITAL SAFETY

AB 1700 (Lowenthal) e‑Safety Commission
AB 1705 (Bauer‑Kahan) Pornographic Internet Websites
AB 1730 (Fong) Community Colleges: Civil Rights Compliance
AB 1766 (Krell) Human Trafficking & Online Safety Curriculum
AB 1792 (Rodriguez) Sexual Health Instruction
AB 1581 (Ramos) Tribal Affiliation Data

🏡 CHILDREN, FAMILIES, and SOCIAL SERVICES

AB 1574 (Rogers) Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program
AB 1602 (Rubio) Foster Youth Disaster Aid
AB 1643 (Nguyen) Child Support Modernization
AB 1880 (Caloza) PINK Alert

💜 HEALTH and WELLBEING

AB 1540 (Gonzalez) 988 Lifeline: LGBTQ+ Youth
AB 1570 (Wilson) Breast Imaging Coverage
AB 1900 (Kalra) CalCare
AB 1906 (Aguiar‑Curry) Cervical Cancer Screening
AB 2030 (Lowenthal) Diet Pills & Supplements Age Restriction
AB 2066 (Rodriguez) Pregnancy as a Triggering Event
AB 2082 (Rodriguez) Rural Farmworker Women’s Health Act
AB 2160 (Rodriguez) Medi‑Cal Lactation Services
AB 2164 (Bauer‑Kahan) Legally Protected Activities

🔬 STEM, HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE PIPELINES

AB 2660 (Alvarez) Cal‑Bridge & ENLACE STEM Pathways

Partners and supporting organizations may write in to support the Commission’s co-sponsored bills by submitting letters to the California Legislature Position Letter Portal or by contacting your local elected representative.

Upcoming events showing images of women and girls

Better Business Bureau's Annual Women’s Conference: The Stuff of Legacy

The Better Business Bureau's Annual Women’s Conference will be held on May 5 at the Citrus Heights Events Center featuring Commission leadership and will discuss the future of work, economy, and business, and how women can transform the workspace. Hear from women who've built their own careers, the choices they made, and how yours can change outcomes for others.

Joint Celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: Open House

The California Commission on Asian Pacific Islander and American Affairs (CAPIAA) and the Commission will be celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month with a joint open house on May 11 from 3:30 –5:00 p.m. at 925 L Street, Suites 325 and 345. Learn more about our Commissions’ missions, priorities, and ongoing initiatives. Register

Inaugural California Women’s Economic Summit 2026

The California Women’s Business Centers Network (CA WBC) is hosting the California Women’s Economic Summit 2026 “Invest in her. Invest in California.” on May 13 at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento.

The summit is a statewide convening to bring together women entrepreneurs, small business champions, policymakers, funders, and community leaders for a focused conversation on women’s wealth-building, economic mobility, and small business growth. The Commission's Executive Director will provide the morning keynote. Register and use the promotional code: SmallBiz20 for a discount.

The Feminist Agenda: Community, Policy & Power

Join the Women’s Foundation California on May 13 at the California Museum for an evening of celebration with California changemakers and the Solís Policy Institute State fellows, whose work this year reaches into the places power ignores: protecting the privacy and safety of immigrants and the people who serve them, expanding midwifery care in the regions that need it most, and ensuring young people, especially LGBTQIA+ youth and youth of color, can access sexual health resources without barrier or shame. The Commission is a proud partner of this event. Register.

Highlights with images of women and girls

California Denim Day Rallies

California recognized Denim Day on April 29, a day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence and calling for an end to sexual assault. The Commission stood in solidarity with survivors and community partners at Peace Over Violence’s Denim Day Solidarity Rally and Press Conference in Los Angeles and VALOR press Conference and event in Sacramento.

Rebuilding a More Equitable World

Each year, Women’s History Month is observed in March as a celebration of American women’s contributions and successes—but it’s also a time to recognize that the struggle for equity, access and justice continues year-round. Read More

Mentorship: Opening Doors and Connecting Women

Mentorship is one of the most effective and transformative tools for advancing women’s leadership, confidence, and long-term economic opportunity. When women and girls have access to mentors who understand their experiences and champion their potential, they are better equipped to navigate systems that have not always been designed with their success in mind. For decades, the Commission has worked to ensure that women and girls have the support, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive. Read more.

Data on Women and Girls with images of girls

California vs. Hate: New Data Available

New 2025 data from California vs Hate is available, reflecting the ongoing demand for support for people impacted by hate and the collaborative work we are all doing together to confront hate in our communities.

In 2025, nearly 1,000 acts of hate were reported to the CA vs Hate hotline. Some key findings from the report:

Of the nearly 1,000 reports, roughly 7 out of 10 agreed to follow up for services, including legal aid or counseling.
Reports were made from 46 counties across CA, including all 10 of the state’s most populous.
Racial or ethnic bias was mentioned in 47% of reports, followed by gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation (19%), religion (18%), and disability status (9%).
Some of the most reported locations were residential (36%), public facilities or businesses (16%), and at work (9%).

CAWP Gender & Politics Research Hub

The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) Gender and Politics Research Hub is a central site for information-sharing and connection among researchers, practitioners, media, and members of the public who share interest in and commitment to promoting gender progress in U.S. politics. The hub lifts up the important work of other scholars and experts in this field, as well as continuing to share CAWP research. Learn more about their research.

Partner Updates showing images of women and girls

Leadership California “The Power of Us”

The Leadership California “The Power of Us” 2026 event was held on April 20 at the California Museum Courtyard in Sacramento. This event served as an evening of connection and celebration, bringing together women leaders and partners. The Commission, along with Leadership California, California Women Lead, Women's Foundation California, California Legislative Women's Caucus, and She Shares, sponsors this powerful celebration of leadership, collaboration, and the women shaping our state’s future.

California Women Lead Coffee Conversations

California Women Lead’s new board member Sabrina Demayo Lockhart, Executive Director of CA Attractions and Parks Association, will be the May 5 Coffee Conversation host. Sabrina is presenting “Pushing Back on the Myth of Work-Life Balance” an engaging session in which she will share practical lessons that will shift your mindset from one of seeking balance to one of integration. Register

Help New Mothers: One Small Thing

The Commission is partnering with the Surgeon General on their One Small Thing campaign to support postpartum mothers and combat loneliness and isolation.

During Mother’s Day and Mental Health Awareness Month, take a moment to help out a new family by babysitting, doing household chores, providing meals, or just dropping by to check on them. One small thing can make a big difference to a new family and help a new mother combat loneliness and isolation.

Congratulations to the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women

Thank you to the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women for inviting our Commissioners to participate in its 50th‑anniversary celebration. This milestone reflects five decades of unwavering dedication to advancing equity, opportunity, and wellbeing for women and girls across Alameda County.

Commission Chair Dr. Rita Gallardo Good delivered remarks underscoring the importance of strong partnerships between state and county commissions. Commissioner Kawser Amine spoke to the powerful legacy the Alameda County Commission has built over the past half‑century: a foundation that will support the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers.

The Commission was honored to present Certificates of Recognition and was inspired by the many speakers and community leaders who continue to champion the well-being of women and girls throughout the county.

Solis Policy Institute Application Period Opens

Applications are open for the Solís Policy Institute State fellows until May 27, 2026.

The Solís Policy Institute is a statewide leadership and policy training program that equips advocates, organizers, and nonprofit leaders with the skills and tools to influence public policy and drive systems change. Each year, the Institute brings together fellows from community‑based and grassroots organizations to strengthen their policy expertise and expand their impact across California. Apply Now!