Immediate release: March 20, 2024
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Portantino’s Student Refugee and Youth Opioid Epidemic Bill Passes Senate Education Committee
Sacramento, California – Senate Bills 971 and 997, authored by Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D-Burbank), passed the Senate Education Committee today. SB 971 would make higher education more affordable by exempting low-income refugee nonresidents from paying tuition. SB 997 would help tackle the opioid epidemic and drug-related overdoses among youth by allowing students to carry fentanyl test strips and allowing schools to provide students with Narcan nasal spray. We support.
SB971:
With regional conflicts on the rise around the world, many people seek safe haven through immigration to the United States and establish domicile in California. These people often turn to education to improve their lives and become full participants in our communities. If you don't qualify for financial aid, the cost of college can become disproportionately high and out of reach. Glendale Community College (GCC) Student Trustee Erin Galibian provided powerful testimony today in support of the committee. The GCC is the sponsor of this bill.
SB 971 would waive nonresident tuition for nonresident low-income students enrolled in lower-division courses at community colleges who are residents of areas affected by war or other local conflict. This measure would require boards of community colleges that choose to take advantage of this exemption to determine a student's residence classification, establish procedures for appeals and review of residence classification, and determine whether a student is low-income. It requires the adoption of a uniform policy for making decisions.
“Too many young people have been forcibly removed from their homelands and are living in California, where they are strengthening our state and positively contributing to our economy,” said Sen. Portantino. “Recently, I attended an event at Glendale Community College designed specifically to support Artsakh students. It was both emotional and educational. Helping people complete their degrees is a wise and nurturing gesture, and I am grateful to my friends at GCC for bringing the idea for this bill to me.”
Even before the conflict escalated in 2023, large numbers of Armenians had fled Artsakh, numbering more than 100,000. There is a large Armenian diaspora in California, and the migration of individuals seeking safety will continue.
“The Armenian Student Association of Glendale Community College wholeheartedly supports SB 971, which is an important step in providing equitable educational opportunities for refugee students affected by global conflicts.” Glendale Community – Amaras Isagorian, president of the college's Armenian Student Association, said: “This bill demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity by recognizing the challenges refugees face when fleeing violence and by opening our arms to those seeking a promised land where opportunities and happiness exist for refugees as well.” Together, we can and must build a brighter future for those seeking refuge, while paving the way to greater prosperity.”
“Glendale Community College is proud to sponsor this bill that will bring much-needed assistance to our community. As a board, we are committed to supporting those facing economic hardship. “In light of the influx of people affected by regional conflict, this bill will support the full integration of refugee students into our communities and local economy.” said Dr. Sevan Benlian, Community College Board Chair.
“Part of our mission is to build a sense of belonging within our community and empower all students to take the next step toward their future,” said Dr. Ryan Koerner, Superintendent and President of Glendale Community College. “It's about serving by creating an educational environment.” “Glendale has a history of supporting recent immigrant communities, and these people are the foundation of our community. With this bill, we will more effectively address the needs of our community. to ensure that we meet our mission and fulfill our mission.”
SB997:
According to the California Department of Public Health, there will be more than 7,000 opioid-related deaths in 2022, with approximately 88% of deaths due to fentanyl poisoning. Among youth, fentanyl poisoning accounted for 640 of the 807 opioid overdose deaths.
SB 997 would allow middle school and high school students to carry federally approved naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray. The bill would also require public middle and high schools to provide fentanyl test strips and notify students of their presence and location.
“SB 997 will implement more preventive measures to avoid opioid-related deaths in high schools,” said Sen. Portantino. “Fentanyl test strips typically provide results within five minutes, and Narcan is safe, easy to use, and nearly instantaneous, saving lives.”
The idea for this bill arose from the Senator's Summer Internship Program, where each intern in the Senate office has the opportunity to research a subject area and pitch their bill idea directly to Senator Portantino.
“Narcan can quickly combat the effects of an opioid overdose, but we are excited by the prospect of offering an alternative approach that eliminates the need for Narcan altogether,” said the bill idear. said Libby Paquette, a former intern in Sen. Portantino's office. “Recognizing that despite the high number of fentanyl overdoses, children are still using the drug, my logic behind providing test strips is to avoid drugs contaminated with fentanyl altogether. It's about providing an opportunity. I believe test strips can help save lives when Narcan is not available.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. It's nearly impossible to tell if a drug contains fentanyl unless you test the drug.
“Protecting young people in the midst of the opioid crisis should be a top priority for all Californians,” said Tara Gamboa Eastman, director of government affairs at the Steinberg Institute. “Every tool in the toolkit must be available to prevent unnecessary deaths. This bill will save lives and prioritize children who desperately need our support. .”
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