Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Legislation to Help Visually Impaired Students Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill (AB) 947 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), promotes education that will maximize the full potential of students who are visually impaired, passed and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“As a former teacher, I recognize the need for there to be no uncertain terms when students require additional resources and consideration to succeed,” said Quirk-Silva. “The fact that visual impairments fall into this category is obvious.  What is not always obvious is the full scope of redressing educational needs and attainment.”

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a set of knowledge and skills in which instruction or services, or both, may be beneficial to a pupil who is blind, has low vision, or is visually impaired.  The ECC includes skills in areas such as the use of braille or large print media, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, socialization, independent living, and sensory efficiency.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Work to Resolve Homelessness in Orange County Moves to Governor

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 143 (AB 143) authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), addressing California’s homelessness crisis, passed on the legislative floor and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“California has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation.  In fact, recent statistics show that throughout our state, we have seen an increase in the number of homeless individuals,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  “Since 2017, homelessness is up by forty-two percent in Orange County.  To resolve this crisis, we need an array of innovative strategies including both short and long-term solutions.”

If the specified counties or cities find it essential, they may choose to utilize the bill to address short-term homeless needs.  They would be required to develop an ordinance outlining a plan that would include long-term permanent housing strategies for their communities.  The California Department of Housing and Community Development would then be responsible to review and approve the ordinance to ensure the health and safety of California is not compromised.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA’S LEGISLATION TO STOP COLLEGE CHEATS ADVANCES TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 136 (AB 136) authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), in response to the College Admissions Scandal, passed the State Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“Admissions to colleges and universities have become increasingly competitive.  To make matters worse, a study found that at thirty-eight colleges in the United States, including Ivy League Schools; that more students came from the top one percent of the income scale than from the entire bottom 60 percent,” said Quirk-Silva.  “The study underlines that students from low to middle income families have even less of a chance of being admitted to these top colleges.”