► News From Our Chapter ► News from the ALS Association ► Public Awareness Campaigns ► From Noah to you ► ALS Association in the Media ►A Reason for Hope   ► Annual Report ► Back to Home Page Thank you for visiting our "In the News" section, a valuable resource for both the community and media professionals.  Request "Connections" eNewsletter and receive regular clinical and scientific updates, advocacy updates and other highlights from The ALS Association. Our Recent Headlines California State Advocacy Initiatives The five California ALS Association Chapters have sponsored two pieces of legislation, both authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg.  The first bill, SB 1502 ,  would add the ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease Research Fund to the California income tax form as one of the selected charities for donor designated contributions.  This bill is now pending on the Senate Floor.   The second bill, SB 1503, formally recognizes the  ALS Centers of Excellence in statute and  includes  them under the existing definition of a "specialty care center" in the Health and Safety Code.  This definition assures patients of a streamlined referral process from their primary care physician to the  ALS Centers of Excellence by a health plan.  This bill has passed through the Assembly and the Senate and awaits transfer to the Governor's desk.    These bills have provided a forum for increasing the awareness of legislators about ALS and the people in their districts who are living with overwhelming challenges of the disease. Both bills have enjoyed bi-partisan support and have moved through policy committees, fiscal committees, and off House floors without a single No vote.