BWOPA California 2025 Legislative Priority Bills
These priority bills align with BWOPA’s core issue areas: health, education, criminal justice reform, economic security, and civic engagement.
HEALTH
AB 55 (Bonta) – Freedom to Birth Act
This bill eliminates unnecessary licensing barriers for Alternative Birth Centers (ABCs), such as the requirement to be Perinatal Service Providers. These barriers limit access to high-quality maternal healthcare and disproportionately impact Black women and families.
Key Message: Expand access to community-based birthing options and improve maternal health outcomes.
SB 32 (Weber-Pierson) – Health Care Coverage: Timely Access to Care
Requires state agencies to adopt geographic access standards for maternal and infant care services, ensuring timely and equitable care across California.
Key Message: Timely access to care saves lives. No parent should be forced to travel hours to deliver safely.
EDUCATION
AB 7 (Bryan) – College Admissions Preference for Descendants of Enslaved People
Establishes admissions preference for descendants of U.S. chattel slavery at California’s public colleges and universities as part of the state’s reparations strategy.
Key Message: Access to higher education must be part of how we redress the legacy of slavery.
SB 510 (Richardson) – Pupil Instruction: Treatment of African Americans
Mandates inclusive K–12 instruction on the historical treatment of African Americans in California, including slavery, segregation, systemic racism, and state-sanctioned harms.
Key Message: Students deserve a truthful education. Inclusive curriculum is essential for racial equity.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
ACA 6 (Wilson) – End Slavery Act
Amends the California Constitution to prohibit involuntary servitude in all forms, removing the current exception for criminal punishment.
Key Message: Slavery has no place in California’s Constitution—no exceptions, no loopholes.
ECONOMIC SECURITY
AB 57 (McKinnor) – Home Purchase Assistance for Descendants of Enslaved People
Allocates at least 10% of homebuyer assistance funds to support descendants of U.S. chattel slavery in closing the racial wealth and homeownership gap.
Key Message: Black homeownership is key to economic justice. This bill turns words into wealth-building action.
AB 801 (Bonta) – California Community Reinvestment Act
Expands reinvestment obligations to include modern lenders such as fintech firms, mortgage companies, and credit unions.
Key Message: Modern lenders must reinvest where they profit. It’s time to close the racial wealth gap.
AB 801 SUPPORT LETTER