Bill Text: CA AR74 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Resolution 74 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to health misinformation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 56-1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-03 - Read. Adopted. (Page 2769.). [AR74 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AR74-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution

No. 74

Introduced by Assembly Member Akilah Weber

September 01, 2021

Relative to health misinformation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

HR 74, as introduced, Akilah Weber.

WHEREAS, Health misinformation has significantly undermined public health efforts, and the unmitigated proliferation of health misinformation has created a culture of mistrust and has prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic, endangering the health and safety of all Californians; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 4,222,663 confirmed cases and 65,287 confirmed deaths in the State of California, as of August 31, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The spread of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our health and safety, our statewide, regional, and local economies, our communities of color, the educational development of our children, and every aspect of our lives; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 vaccines available under emergency use authorization have met the rigorous scientific standards set forth by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality, and have demonstrated that their benefits outweigh their risks; and

WHEREAS, The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has received full FDA approval and has been proven to be highly effective in preventing serious disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, These COVID-19 vaccines are available to eligible Californians at no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of income, and are administered by health care professionals, including nurses and physicians; and

WHEREAS, Misinformation has caused confusion and nationally has led to many eligible individuals declining COVID-19 vaccines, rejecting public health measures relating to masking or physical distancing, and using unproven treatments; and

WHEREAS, On July 15, 2021, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory and statement describing the “urgent threat” posed by the rise of false information about COVID-19 – a threat that continues to put “lives at risk” and prolong the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Recent surges in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have highlighted the importance of clear and unequivocal communications from public officials that authorized or approved vaccines are the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That health misinformation is declared a public health crisis, and that the State of California is urged to commit to appropriately combating health misinformation and curbing the spread of falsehoods that threaten the health and safety of Californians; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.