Common Sense Bipartisan Bills Passed Out of Committee on Tuesday

Two of my common sense bills were passed out of Committee with bipartisan support, Tuesday.

AB 526, the California Military Families Financial Relief Act of 2013 will expand the financial protections currently given to military reservists called to active duty to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan to all military reservists called to active duty. 

As a Navy veteran, the wife of a Sailor who deployed I know the toll financial burdens have on the families of our service members and how difficult it is to juggle those responsibilities and patriotic duty. This is a common sense bill that will benefit many families in the 67th Assembly District.

AB 681 will increase the co-pay for an inmate in county jail to $5 which aims to deter unnecessary and frivolous use of medical services. Since realignment has caused overcrowding in our county jails it is important to deter any additional waste.

It is my job as Vice Chair of Public Safety to not allow inmates to abuse the system. Increasing the inmate co-pay is necessary to hold the inmate responsible to participate in their own health needs and AB 681 will do just that.

As your elected representative I will continue to protect the interests of law abiding citizens and individuals who serve our country. If you or someone you know has any questions or concerns regarding state legislation, please feel free to contact my district office any time at 951-894-1232.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester.