Press Releases

The California State Assembly gave final approval to Assembly Bill 172 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez which seeks to close a loophole in the law and prevent workplace violence in the Emergency Room. The bill now goes to Governor Jerry Brown.

Under current law, an assault or battery against a physician or nurse rendering emergency medical care outside of a hospital, clinic or health care facility is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, or a one year jail time, or both.  However, if an assault or battery occurs inside the health care facility, the crime is punishable as a lower misdemeanor with a jail time of up to 6 months.  Sponsored by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), AB 172 would close this loophole by increasing the penalties for violence committed against all health care workers engaged in providing services within the ER.

Assembly Bill 71 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez was given final approval by the State Assembly today and sent to Governor Brown for consideration.

Assembly Bill 71 will require law enforcement agencies in California to annually submit to the California Department of Justice, a report on peace officers involved in shootings or incidences where serious bodily injury occurs.  The report will collect demographic data and statistics that will track cases where individuals or peace officers are injured or killed.

Assembly Bill 69 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez was given final approval by the State Assembly today and now heads to the Governor’s Desk. The bill establishes best practices and procedures for the download and storage of body-worn camera footage that law enforcement agencies should consider when establishing a body camera program.

“Body-worn cameras are an effective tool for law enforcement and are increasingly becoming more popular,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez. “It is important for law enforcement agencies to have a set of guidelines to turn to while establishing their body camera programs while still providing each department the flexibility to tailor their program in a way that works for their department. That’s what my bill does.”

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez released the following statement in response to California Attorney General Kamala Harris’ endorsement of his Assembly Bill 71 and creation of the OpenJustice data initiative:

“Our communities are the safest when there is a trust between law enforcement and the population they serve and protect,” said Rodriguez. “What we have seen over the past few years is that there is a lack of data that can put use-of-force incidents in a broader context. I applaud Attorney General Harris for her leadership and creation of the Justice Dashboard and Open Data Portal. This is a valuable tool that can increase transparency and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community.

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez introduced ACR 104 to name a portion of Interstate 10 in Pomona after fallen Pomona SWAT Officer Shaun Diamond. The measure will declare I-10 from the SR-57 interchange to Indian Hill Boulevard as the “Officer Shaun Diamond Memorial Highway.”

“Officer Diamond was a dedicated officer and an honorable man,” said Rodriguez. “I knew him for many years through his work in Downtown Pomona. He was a great person to be around and his absence continues to be felt throughout our community. The Officer Shaun Diamond Memorial Highway will be a lasting commemoration of his sacrifice and dedication to helping others.”

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez and Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) released the following statements on the historic agreement between the cities of Los Angeles and Ontario to transfer control of Ontario International Airport back to the City of Ontario:

“Today is a historic and long-awaited day for the city of Ontario,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez. “Restoring local control of Ontario Airport has been my top priority and I am thrilled to see this day finally realized. I want to commend Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti for working with all of us who represent Ontario to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Today California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 162 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez to prevent wrong way driving accidents.

Assembly Bill 162 instructs the California Department of Transportation to study wrong-way driving accidents—which has not been done in California since 1989-- and look at safety measures pursued by other states that could prevent wrong way driving accidents. The bill requires a preliminary report due to the legislature by December 1, 2015 and a final report by July 1, 2016.

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez announced that Vanessa Covarrubias of Pomona will be the 52nd Assembly District’s recipient of a $1000 scholarship from the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Statewide Scholarship Program.

“Vanessa is a bright, accomplished young woman who has stood out as a leader both academically and in her community,” said Rodriguez. “The Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship is a way to give back to our community and help make college a little bit more affordable. I have confidence that Vanessa will do great things.”

The State Assembly gave final approval today to Assembly Bill 162 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez to prevent wrong way driving accidents, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk for consideration.

Assembly Bill 162 instructs the California Department of Transportation to study wrong-way driving accidents—which has not been done in California since 1989-- and look at safety measures pursued by other states that could prevent wrong way driving accidents. The bill requires a preliminary report due to the legislature by December 1, 2015 and a final report by July 1, 2016.

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez honored Stephen Manzanares of Pomona as the 2015 Veteran of the Year from the 52nd Assembly District.