Skip to main content

Press Releases

State leaders acknowledge Native American Heritage Month

Sacramento–State leaders and Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first California Native American elected to the state Legislature, called on Californians to celebrate national Native American Month.

State suicide prevention efforts to remain legislative focus

HIGHLAND—State lawmakers, California schools chief and mental health providers argued Wednesday for a continued focus on suicide prevention efforts, particularly for children and youth, as they celebrated passage of a law creating a state office of suicide prevention while noting vast unfulfilled needs for school resources to combat suicide and self-harm on campuses.

Governor signs Ramos bill to create first statewide office of suicide prevention

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a bill by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) to establish a statewide office of suicide prevention amidst spiking calls to crisis hotlines and mental health professionals expressing increased concerns about the mental health impacts from COVID-19.

Senate approves Ramos bill to create first statewide Office of Suicide Prevention amidst COVID-19 crisis

SACRAMENTO – A bill to establish the first statewide Office of Suicide Prevention was passed unanimously today by the state Senate on a 36 to 0 vote.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) said his measure, AB 2112, would help California meet the state’s suicide crisis now exacerbated by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which adds greater urgency to the need for the bill. “I appreciate the strong bipartisan support this measure received. It was a moving testament to the need to reduce suicide rates in California,” Ramos said.

Ramos bill to allow more California tribes to recover ancestor remains and artifacts heads to governor

UPDATE: As of approximately 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments. The measure will now be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his review. He has until September 30, 2020 to approve or veto AB 275.

SACRAMENTO--California’s Senate today approved a bill on a 39 to 0 vote to strengthen and clarify the process for repatriating California Native American remains and artifacts held by various institutions such as the University of California system.