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Democracy on Edge: California Legislation Seeking to Stem the Tide of Disinformation

Apodaca: Fact or fiction? A new state law hopes to help schoolchildren determine what’s real - LA Times

A new education policy has so far flown largely under the radar among the general public, but it’s worth paying attention because it could have far-ranging benefits if schools do a good job of implementation.

This year California joins a handful of other states in requiring all K-12 public schools to provide instruction in media literacy, thanks to a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Marc Berman that passed last fall with near-unanimous bipartisan support.

Bill aims to crack down on AI-generated child pornography - Palo Alto Online

Assembly Bill 1831 would eliminate distinction between real and fake when prosecuting creators of explicit videos with children

As artificial intelligence increasingly blurs the distinction between real and fake, state Assembly member Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, plans to introduce a law that would make it illegal to use AI technology to create child pornography.

New Year, New Laws

SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) authored twelve new laws that take effect in 2024. The legislation includes his first-in-the-nation phase out of gas-powered small off-road engines such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers and his transformative higher education reforms.

California Cracks Down on Hotel Junk Fees

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring that mandatory hotel and resort fees be disclosed in the advertised, offered, and displayed room rates.

California to Teach Media Literacy in Every Grade

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 873, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last night, highlighting the urgency of young people’s growing reliance on the internet and social media to consume news and information.