Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) recently announced a spate of public safety bills for the 2024 legislative year. 

“I am proud of the work that my team and I are doing to build upon our public safety achievements from last year,” said Alanis in a press release. “I am committed to continuing the fight to protect our communities and safe spaces, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on both sides to accomplish tasks for the 22nd assembly district.”

Alanis unveiled six bills as the backbone of his public safety campaign:

AB 1839 – Aims to provide law enforcement recruitment efforts via grants, advertising and hiring bonuses.

AB 1845 – Supports efforts to combat retail theft with resources to identify, apprehend and prosecute criminals involved in the reselling of stolen property.

AB 1859 – Requires the tracking of deaths associated with Xylazine (“tranq”), to assist in identifying trends, allocating resources, developing evidence-based interventions, and responding effectively to the challenges posed by the misuse of tranq.

AB 1972 – Expands the definition of California’s organized retail theft statute to include the term “cargo”, giving law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to protect rail lines and shipping lanes from organized cargo theft.

 AB 1996 – Requires employees at entertainment spaces, such as stadiums and amusement parks, are properly trained in the use of life-saving opioid antagonists like Narcan.  

ACA 15 – Eliminates the eligibility of inmates convicted of felony sex offenses for early parole.

Additionally, Alanis also committed his support for measures authored by his legislative colleagues, including:

AB 1804 (Jim Patterson) – Expands warrant searches for fentanyl drug dealers.

AB 1772 — Increases penalties for retail theft crimes.

AB 2035 — Prohibits the release of sexually violent predators as transients.

SB 21 — Alexandra’s Law: Criminal admonishment for fentanyl crimes.

SB 1011 — Protects children by prohibiting homeless encampments within 500 feet of a school.

“Needed public safety solutions cannot be kicked to another legislature or delayed for another year,” said Alanis. “I will be working across the aisle, and with anyone who is serious about making people, neighborhoods and businesses safe across our state.”

In addition to his public safety agenda, Alanis introduced four bills related to K-12 education and higher education across the state.

AB 1796 — Would require schools to notify parents and/or guardians of the specific Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), career technical education (CTE), and dual enrollment course offerings available at their minor student’s respective campus. The second bill, AB 1871 — Would require schools to teach students about personal finance before they graduate high school.

“I am excited that the first bill I introduced this year, AB 1796, is one that opens up new pathways to students who may not be interested in, or able to pursue, a higher education,” said Alanis. “Both of these education bills encourage our youth to turn their passions into careers while improving communication between schools, students, and parents or guardians.”

AB 1927 — Would expand the Golden State Teacher Grant Program to prospective CTE instructors who commit to at least four years of work as a credentialed instructor.

AB 1839 — Would create a financial aid grant program for prospective peace officers in order to streamline the process for these prospective officers to meet their minimum education requirements and enter the workforce.