SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) today joined Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio), fellow legislators, and farmworkers at the state Capitol to highlight Assembly Bill 2082, the Rural Farmworker Women’s Health Act of 2026.
Under the bill, the California Department of Public Health would be required, beginning July 1, 2027, to establish a program working with local nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities to provide free menstrual products, with priority given to communities facing the highest poverty rates.
The event featured women working in agriculture who spoke about the challenges of long workdays in remote areas where access to stores, health services, and basic hygiene products can be limited. AB 2082 was introduced by Gonzalez and has been referred to the Assembly Health Committee.
“California’s farmworkers are essential, yet many still lack access to basic health care resources,” said Alanis. “No one should have to go without something as fundamental as menstrual products.”
Alanis attended the rally in support of raising awareness around the health and dignity needs of women working in the state’s agriculture industry.
Supporters of the bill say the measure addresses a basic gap in access for farmworkers in rural communities and would help connect women with essential hygiene products through trusted local nonprofit partners.
On Friday, Alanis announced that his bill, AB 2004, passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a 8-0 unanimous bipartisan vote. The bill ensures that correctional officers in Fresno and San Joaquin Counties are granted peace officer designation consistent with 40 other counties across California, aligning state law with the realities of the job.
“Correctional officers perform some of the most demanding and hazardous work in law enforcement, yet in some counties they are not afforded the same recognition as their peers doing identical work,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “AB 2004 corrects that inconsistency and ensures these officers are treated fairly under the law.”
AB 2004 will next go to the Assembly Floor for a full house vote.
Last week, Alanis honored Rena Bryant as the 2025 Assembly District 22 Nurse of the Year during a presentation ceremony held Friday at the Healers Touch Garden at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
Bryant was recognized for her longstanding service in nursing and for the impact she has made on patient care, trauma services, and community health throughout the Central Valley.
Alvarado-Gil promotes wildfire, insurance bills
State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) has spent the past three weeks promoting her Wildfire Risk Reduction and Insurance Affordability Bills package across Senate District 4, highlighting the need to protect rural California communities from wildfire threats and to tackle insurance challenges.
"Wildfire risk, insurance access, and community safety are among the most pressing concerns for the residents of Senate District 4," said Senator Alvarado-Gil.
Alvarado-Gil will continue her district-wide listening tour with multiple stops in District 4 to discuss her package directly with residents. Individuals or organizations interested in hosting such an event, or participating in these important conversations are encouraged to contact Kevin O'Neil at kevin.o'neil@sen.ca.gov in the senator’s office.
McClintock bill, folded into HR 1958, passed by House
The House of Representatives last week passed House Resolution 1958 – authored by Rep. David Taylor (R-Ohio) – with legislation by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hills) folded into the bill.
McClintock’s “Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act” makes specific acts related to Social Security or identification document fraud a ground for barring a non-U.S. national admission into the U.S. or deporting the individual. Offenses that trigger this ground of inadmissibility and deportability include knowingly and without lawful authority producing a false identification document and making a false statement of material fact in an application for Social Security disability benefits.
Congressman McClintock delivered remarks in support of the amendment containing his bill language at the House Judiciary Committee markup:
“This amendment delineates specific federal crimes that make an alien inadmissible to, or removable from, the United States,” said McClintock, whose 5th Congressional District includes parts of Turlock. “This amendment also incorporates my “Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act,” which the House passed on a bi-partisan basis two years ago.
“That bill simply says if you are an alien who admits to, or is convicted of, social security fraud or identification document fraud, you cannot enter the country, and if you are already here, you should be deported. That’s just common sense.”
The legislation will move on to the Senate.
