Davis Signs Health-Related Bills, Announces Food Safety Program

Gov. Gray Davis (D) this week signed several health-related bills into law. Summaries of the laws appear below:

AB 2067: Sponsored by Assembly member George Nakano (D-Torrance), the law requires the Department of Health Services to implement a program in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Services to distribute potassium iodide tablets to residents who work or live near operational nuclear power plants. The law also requires DHS to develop plans with local health departments and emergency agencies to distribute the pills (Office of the Governor release, 9/25).
AB 2735: Sponsored by Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Alameda), the law allows the district attorney, public guardian and probate court to receive confidential information relevant to an elder-abuse case (Office of the Governor release, 9/26).
SB 460: Sponsored by Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), the law gives DHS and local health agencies the authority to require abatement of lead hazards in residential and public buildings. DHS and the local agencies also can declare property "untenantable" if state housing law is violated (Office of the Governor release, 9/26).

Meanwhile, Davis on Thursday announced a new partnership to help protect the state's food supply. The Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, a partnership between the Department of Food and Agriculture, DHS and the University of California-Davis, will conduct research to improve food safety, with a focus on bioterrorism, consumer food education and food transportation safety (Office of the Governor release, 9/26). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.