Assemblymember Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, received a phone call late last week from the Office of the Governor, informing him that the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act had been signed into law by Gov. Newsom.
It is the first bill authored by Assemblymember Alanis that has been signed into California law, and is the culmination of a journey that started tragically in August of 2022.
“When the family came to my office back in December and asked us to author a law in Nevaeh’s name, I was honored to say yes and get to work on it,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “As a father and grandfather myself, I cannot express in words how proud and honored I am that this is my first piece of legislation that has become law. It is a fitting tribute that Nevaeh, through her name and legacy, will save young lives through this law for years to come.”
Nevaeh Johnson was 10 years old when she collapsed at a youth sports practice in Waterford on Aug. 15, 2022. At the time, coaches and others around Nevaeh were unaware she was suffering a brain aneurysm. Her heart had stopped, and despite adults attempting CPR, Nevaeh would not regain consciousness. She died a few days later, and her family believes that if additional lifesaving tools like a working Automated External Defibrillator had been available, Nevaeh could have survived.
The Johnson-Lamunyon Family received a phone call this week from Alanis, who informed and celebrated with them that the governor signed the bill into law.
“I know that Nevaeh Grace is smiling down on us today,” said Nevaeh’s mother, Tiana Lamunyon. “I am incredibly honored and grateful that this bill passed, but I still feel the huge sorrow and loss that brought us here. I hope this bill will help save someone else’s child and prevent other parents from feeling the pain of losing a child. I know my daughter would have fought for change, so that is exactly why we pushed this law in her place.”
AB 1467, known as the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, requires youth sports organizations across the state to provide their athletes with access to an AED during official practices and matches. AB 1467 passed unanimously out of both the Assembly and the Senate. The bill was signed into law by Newsom on June 29.
Alvarado-Gil’s fentanyl bill fails to get out of committee
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's legislation, Senate Bill 226, which aimed to combat the rising threat of fentanyl in conjunction with firearm possession, failed to pass the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The bill, previously passed unanimously in the Senate, sought to address the alarming increase in fentanyl-related overdoses, poisonings, and deaths by making it a felony to possess fentanyl while carrying a loaded and operable firearm.
SB 226 failed to secure the necessary support in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, receiving a vote of 2-1-5, with five committee members abstaining from voting.
“The bill's failure is a missed opportunity to address a pressing public health and safety concern," stated Alvarado-Gil.
Fentanyl, a drug 50 times stronger than heroin, has led to a surge in drug-related fatalities throughout the nation, across all segments of society. While existing laws classify the possession of certain drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, as misdemeanors, possessing these substances concurrently with a firearm is a felony offense.
Notably, fentanyl, despite its lethal potency and widespread abuse, is not explicitly listed as a controlled substance eligible for felony prosecution under existing law.
“This glaring omission creates ambiguity and hampers the ability of law enforcement and the judicial system to effectively combat the fentanyl crisis,” Alvarado-Gil said. “Furthermore, many drugs currently on the controlled substances list are frequently “laced” with fentanyl, highlighting the urgent need to address this deadly substance directly."
SB 226 aimed to rectify this discrepancy by adding fentanyl to the list of controlled substances prohibited for possession while carrying a loaded, operable firearm.
“Senator Alvarado-Gil's proposed legislation was a common-sense response to the change in the landscape of illegal drug use and sales brought about by the introduction of fentanyl to California,” said Todd Riebe, Amador County District Attorney stated. “This bill was never about the 'War on Drugs,' it was about saving lives and protecting all people, regardless of their race, religion, or political party preference.”
Central Valley Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, had previously authored a similar bill, AB 675, which received support from the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
“It is perplexing and disheartening that SB 226, with its unanimous passage in the Senate and its alignment with the goals of AB 675, failed to garner sufficient backing in the Assembly Public Safety Committee,” said Alvarado-Gil.
