SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 1132, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley), which would prohibit telemarketers and scammers from impersonating the caller ID information of state or local government entities. The practice of misrepresenting caller ID information—known as “spoofing”—has become commonplace and poses significant risks to unsuspecting consumers. In recent weeks, scammers have used spoofing technology to impersonate local law enforcement and demand payment for the expungement of fake warrants.

After the Committee vote, Assemblymember Gabriel made the following remarks:  

“As millions of Californians know far too well, spam calls and caller ID fraud are out of control.  These practices are more than just annoying—they are the favored tools of those seeking to defraud California consumers. AB 1132 will crack down on these abusive practices and help protect California consumers.”

“Caller ID spoofing has become ubiquitous, with some consumers receiving dozens of calls each day,” said Ignacio Hernandez on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California. “Consumers should not have to endure a distracting sales pitch, or worse fraud and identity theft, as a result of answering their phone,” he added. “AB 1132 will discourage these activities and help restore trust in government.”

AB 1132 is supported by law enforcement and consumer groups and will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SACRAMENTO – Undeterred by attacks from anti-choice activists, the Assembly Education Committee voted last night to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 624. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley), would require schools serving grades 7-12, as well as institutions of higher education, to include the phone numbers for sexual assault, domestic violence, and reproductive healthcare hotlines on student ID cards.  AB 624 builds on SB 972, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2018, which requires that schools provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on student ID cards.

Los Angeles – In response to recent hate incidents targeting Armenian and Jewish institutions in the San Fernando Valley, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel brought together religious and lay leaders from the Armenian and Jewish communities for an inter-community dinner and dialogue. The discussion focused on efforts to work together to combat hate and discrimination of all forms.

On January 29, 2019, hate incidents occurred at two Armenian schools in the San Fernando Valley, with Turkish flags being hung at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School and AGBU Manoogian School. The following day, Mishkan Torah Synagogue in Tarzana was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti.

SACRAMENTO – In light of recent false and misleading attacks by anti-choice activists, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley) today spoke out about Assembly Bill (AB) 624, which would require schools serving grades 7-12, as well as institutions of higher education, to include the phone numbers for sexual assault, domestic violence, and reproductive healthcare hotlines on student ID cards. AB 624 builds on SB 972, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2018, which requires that schools provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on student ID cards.

In recent days, numerous anti-choice activists and publications have attacked AB 624—which applies to both public and private schools—as unconstitutional and have argued that the legislation would “forc[e] every student to join an abortion sales team” and is intended to promote and “reward” Planned Parenthood for supporting Assemblymember Gabriel’s campaign.

SACRAMENTO – In a ceremony today at the State Capitol in Sacramento, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel honored Michelle Fuentes-Miranda as Woman of the Year for her service to the West San Fernando Valley.  Today’s events included a lunch with members of the Legislature, presentation of a legislative proclamation, and a special ceremony on the floor of the State Assembly.

Fuentes-Miranda is the Founder and President of the Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE), a community-based nonprofit in Canoga Park that seeks to empower underserved communities by providing young people facing challenges with education, vocational programming, mentorship, and leadership training.  She is also President of the Canoga Park Neighborhood Council and the founder of the Council’s Homelessness Solutions Committee.

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley) introduced legislation to increase financial aid for California residents who are admitted to one of California’s public universities or colleges.  This legislation—which has been designated Assembly Bill (AB) 542—would expand the Competitive Cal Grant program by providing 3,000 new scholarships each year to California residents who demonstrate financial need and meet certain academic requirements.  According to the California Student Aid Commission, the Competitive Cal Grant Program is greatly oversubscribed and does not provide financial aid to thousands of California residents who meet the eligibility requirements.