In 2024, Disability Rights California joined with several disability and Deaf-led organizations to form the California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA). This Alliance works to improve the lives of disabled people in California. CDLA members sent a questionnaire to each of the California Gubernatorial candidates on policies and concerns directly impacting people with disabilities. We demand that the next governor of California does better in addressing the real needs of the disability community. Nothing about us without us.

The purpose of this questionnaire is to educate and inform communities on each candidate’s stance on the issues directly impacting disabled people in California and does not indicate endorsement. All candidates for CA Governor have been invited to complete the questionnaire.

Our first respondent to this questionnaire was Representative Eric Swalwell:

1. People with disabilities represent more than 20 percent of the California population. If elected, what would you do to make sure that disabled people have a voice in your administration? Would you appoint a senior advisor on disability issues to help you set goals, track progress, and integrate disability issues throughout your administration?

People with disabilities are a vital part of California’s communities, workforce, and economy, and their voices must be reflected at every level of government. As Governor, I would ensure that disability representation is not an afterthought but a core part of how my administration operates.

I would appoint a senior advisor on disability issues who is responsible for helping set clear goals, tracking progress, and ensuring disability inclusion is integrated across every agency—from healthcare and housing to transportation and workforce development.

I would also work to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in leadership roles across state government and that policy decisions are informed by those with lived experience. That means regular engagement with disability advocates, community organizations, and stakeholders to ensure California is building a more accessible, inclusive state where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

2. Please describe how you have worked with disabled people and disability-led organizations in the leadership roles you have held to date.

Throughout my time in public service, I have worked to ensure that people with disabilities are treated with dignity and have access to the services and support they need to fully participate in their communities. As a Member of Congress, I have engaged with disability advocates, families, and local organizations across my district to better understand the barriers they face, whether in accessing healthcare, education, housing, or employment, and to help connect them with federal resources and support.

3. HR 1 cuts $30 billion a year from Medi-Cal, which represents a significant threat to the disabled children and adults and older Californians who rely on Medi-Cal to live in the community. What would you do to mitigate the impact of these cuts on disabled Californians? Can you promise to protect home and community based (HCBS) services from cuts? How can California better include peers, who can support outreach to communities who may be fearful of participating in safety-net programs, as the first point of contact to build on inherent trust and connection with people in need?

As Governor, I would make protecting disabled Californians from these cuts a top priority. I would fight to preserve eligibility, maximize every available federal dollar, and direct my administration to use every financing, waiver, and budget tool available to protect critical services. And yes: I would make protecting home- and community-based services a priority, because HCBS is not optional to the people who rely on it to live with dignity, independence, and stability in their own homes and communities. California’s HCBS structure exists precisely to prevent institutionalization, and that principle should guide the state’s response.

I would also push to strengthen community-based care models already underway in Medi-Cal. Through CalAIM, California has expanded Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports to better coordinate care and address the real-life needs of Medi-Cal members, and those tools should be leveraged to keep people connected to care rather than lost in bureaucracy.

On peer support, I strongly believe California should do more to use trusted peers and community-based navigators as the first point of contact, especially for people who are fearful, isolated, or distrustful of systems. As Governor, I would support expanding peer-based outreach, care navigation, and enrollment assistance so that trust is built before paperwork becomes a barrier. That approach is fully consistent with a person-centered Medi-Cal system and with California’s effort to improve outcomes through coordinated, community-based care.

4. Our state has made immense progress in providing Medi-Cal to people regardless of immigration status, but the 2025 budget bill reversed most of this progress. How would you advance immigrant justice and disability rights through the Medi-Cal program? How would you raise needed revenue to ensure that cuts to federal funding are not borne primarily by people with disabilities and immigrants in the state?

California should not force people to choose between immigrant justice and disability rights. As Governor, I would work to restore and protect the promise of Medi-Cal coverage regardless of immigration status, because rolling back coverage falls hardest on people with disabilities, people with chronic conditions, and families already navigating multiple barriers to care.

I would push for a Medi-Cal agenda that is both disability-forward and immigrant-inclusive: protect full-scope coverage, defend home- and community-based services, improve language access and disability accessibility, and make enrollment and renewals easier rather than more punitive. I would also partner directly with immigrant-serving groups, disability-led organizations, and trusted peer navigators so people are not driven away from care by fear, bureaucracy, or misinformation. California already has community-based Medi-Cal tools through CalAIM; we should use them to help people stay connected to care, not lose it.

On revenue, my principle is simple: we should not balance the budget on the backs of disabled Californians and immigrants. I would protect and maximize the dedicated financing tools that support Medi-Cal, including the managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee, which together generate billions of dollars that help fund the program. I would look to fairer revenue options before cutting care—closing inequitable corporate tax loopholes, limiting excessive business tax breaks, and asking those most able to contribute to do more. That is the right fiscal choice, and it is the right moral choice.

5. Governor Newsom developed master plans for aging and for developmental services. What ideas do you have for leveraging these plans or updating them to reflect current priorities?

California has made important progress through the Master Plan for Aging and the Master Plan for Developmental Services, and as Governor I would build on that foundation by updating both plans to reflect today’s realities, especially workforce shortages, rising costs, and the urgent need for more accessible, community-based care.

I will ensure these plans operate in tandem to support Californians with co-occurring needs—such as aging adults with developmental disabilities—while strictly protecting the unique entitlement status of the Lanterman Act. That means strengthening home- and community-based services, expanding access to affordable, accessible housing, and improving coordination across healthcare, long-term services, and social supports.

I would prioritize the care workforce. We cannot deliver on these plans without investing in caregivers—raising wages, expanding training and career pathways, and supporting family caregivers who are the backbone of this system. I would modernize service delivery by improving data sharing, accountability, and transparency so we can better track outcomes and ensure programs are actually reaching the people who need them.

I would also ensure these plans are guided by the people they are meant to serve. That means ongoing engagement with disability-led organizations, seniors, caregivers, and advocates to set priorities, measure progress, and hold my administration accountable.

6. What strategies would you use to improve outcomes for people who are currently unhoused and unsheltered, including the over 40% who qualify as people with disabilities?

We cannot solve homelessness in California without addressing disability, because too many unhoused Californians are living with physical disabilities, behavioral health needs, chronic illness, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. My approach would be housing first, but not housing only. People need a stable place to live, and they also need the services, treatment, and support that make housing sustainable.

As Governor, I would expand permanent supportive housing, strengthen rental assistance and eviction prevention, and invest more in home- and community-based services so people do not end up institutionalized, hospitalized, or on the street in the first place. I would also push to better integrate housing, Medi-Cal, behavioral health care, and disability services so people are not forced to navigate disconnected systems while in crisis.

For people who are currently unsheltered, I would prioritize low-barrier outreach led by trusted professionals and peers, including people with lived experience, to help connect individuals to shelter, benefits, treatment, and long-term housing. And I would make sure shelters, interim housing, and permanent housing are actually accessible for people with disabilities. The goal should be clear: move people off the street and into stable housing with the supports they need to stay housed, healthy, and connected to their communities.

7. How would you work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the State government and in the delivery of services funded by the government?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion must be built into how government hires, makes decisions, and delivers services, not treated as a separate initiative. As Governor, I would focus on three areas: who is at the table, how decisions are made, and whether programs are actually reaching the people they are intended to serve.

I would ensure state government leadership reflects California’s diversity, including people with disabilities, and expand pipelines into public service through paid internships, fellowships, and civil service hiring reforms. I would also strengthen accessibility in hiring so qualified candidates with disabilities are not screened out by outdated processes.

I would require agencies to incorporate equity and accessibility into program design from the start using disaggregated data, community input, and clear performance metrics to track outcomes. That includes enforcing language access, ADA compliance, and digital accessibility across all state services.

Finally, I would partner directly with community-based and disability-led organizations to deliver services in ways that are trusted, culturally competent, and person-centered. Too often, government programs fail not because of intent, but because they are not designed with the people they serve. My goal would be to change that, so California delivers services that are accessible, equitable, and effective for everyone.

8. The representation of state workers with disabilities decreased significantly during Governor Newsom’s two terms. What ideas do you have to improve recruiting, retention, and career development for state workers with disabilities?

Reversing that trend has to be a priority, because state government should lead by example in creating accessible, inclusive workplaces. As Governor, I would focus on recruiting, retention, and advancement as a single, coordinated strategy.

On recruiting, I would modernize state hiring practices to remove barriers that screen out qualified candidates with disabilities, such as streamlining exams, expanding skills-based hiring, and partnering directly with disability-led organizations, universities, and vocational rehabilitation programs to build strong pipelines into public service.

On retention, I would ensure that accommodations are timely, consistent, and treated as a standard part of workplace operations. That includes improving telework and flexible work policies, investing in accessible technology, and holding departments accountable for creating inclusive work environments where employees can succeed.

On career development, I would expand mentorship programs, leadership training, and clear promotion pathways for employees with disabilities so they are represented at every level of state government, including senior leadership. I would also require agencies to track and report data on hiring, retention, and advancement of employees with disabilities so we can measure progress and hold ourselves accountable.

9. In November, we marked the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). What ideas do you have for protecting adequate funds for special education and improving outcomes for students with disabilities in California? Do you have specific ideas for improving outcomes and equal access for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing? Or students with disabilities caught in the school-prison nexus and involved in the juvenile legal system?

IDEA’s 50th anniversary is a reminder that rights on paper are not enough; we have to deliver real opportunity in the classroom. That’s why in Congress I am a co-lead of the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our obligation to America’s children and schools.

As Governor, I would protect and strengthen special education funding by prioritizing early intervention, inclusive classrooms, school-based mental health support, and recruitment and retention of special education teachers, aides, speech therapists, school psychologists, and related service providers. I would also push for stronger accountability so districts are measured not just on compliance, but on whether students with disabilities are learning, graduating, and successfully transitioning to college, careers, and independent living. California already has structures like SELPAs and the state’s compliance and improvement monitoring process; I would use those tools more aggressively to drive better outcomes, not just paperwork compliance.

For Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, I would make language access a central priority. California has already recognized in law and policy that Deaf and hard-of-hearing children have a right to a complete language foundation and that schools must consider full language access needs, including under the Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights, SB 210 language assessments for young children, and AB 1938’s direction on universal design for learning. California also operates Schools for the Deaf in Fremont and Riverside. I would build on that by expanding access to qualified teachers of the Deaf, interpreters, bilingual ASL-English options where appropriate, early screening and language assessment, and giving families clear information so they can make informed decisions that meet their child’s needs.

For students with disabilities caught in the school-prison nexus, we need to intervene earlier and respond differently. California already recognizes the need to reduce disproportionate discipline and to provide educational services in juvenile court schools and through coordination with probation and courts. As Governor, I would push to reduce exclusionary discipline, expand restorative practices and behavioral supports, enforce IDEA rights for students in juvenile facilities, and require strong transition planning so young people return to school with credits, services, and a real path forward. Juvenile court schools should be places of reengagement and opportunity, not dead ends.

10. Wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and other disasters have disproportionate impacts on people with disabilities and older adults. What ideas do you have for improving emergency preparedness and response for these populations?

Disaster planning in California must be disability-inclusive from the start, not an afterthought. Too often, people with disabilities and older adults are left behind because systems are not designed with their needs in mind. As Governor, I would make accessibility and inclusion a core requirement of every emergency preparedness and response effort.

I would ensure that mandates move from paper compliance to functional reality. All state and local emergency plans must incorporate disability access, such as accessible evacuation routes, transportation for people with mobility needs, and shelters that can accommodate medical equipment, service animals, and personal care attendants. Communication must also be accessible in real time, including ASL interpretation, captioning, multilingual alerts, and formats accessible to people with visual or cognitive disabilities.

I would strengthen partnerships with disability-led organizations and community-based groups to help design and implement emergency plans. These organizations are often the most trusted messengers and can ensure outreach reaches people who may otherwise be isolated or overlooked.

I would invest in preparedness at the individual and community level, supporting programs that help people create personal emergency plans, maintain access to medications and equipment, and stay connected to care during disasters.

I would improve coordination across agencies so that emergency response, healthcare, and social services work together seamlessly during and after disasters.

11. Transportation continues to be a major barrier to employment, access to healthcare and school, and community engagement for many Californians. What ideas do you have to improve transportation access, particularly in rural parts of the state?

Transportation is a gateway to opportunity, and for too many Californians, especially in rural communities and for people with disabilities, it remains a barrier to work, healthcare, and education.

As Governor, I would take a coordinated approach that expands access, improves reliability, and ensures systems are truly accessible.

I would invest in expanding and stabilizing rural transit, including demand-response and microtransit services that can serve dispersed communities where fixed-route systems are not practical. That includes strengthening paratransit and ensuring it is reliable, flexible, and integrated with other transit options.

I would better connect transportation to healthcare, workforce, and education systems and expand non-emergency medical transportation through Medi-Cal, supporting partnerships with local providers, and aligning transit routes and schedules with where people actually need to go.

I would prioritize accessibility in every investment and ensure vehicles, stops, and digital tools meet ADA standards and are usable for people with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.

I would support innovative solutions like regional coordination across counties, public-private partnerships, and the use of new technology to fill gaps in service, while making sure those solutions remain affordable and equitable.

12. California is home to the leading companies that develop new technologies for the world. How would you work with technology companies to improve technology accessibility and affordability for people with disabilities in California and beyond? Do you have a plan to address the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure equitable measures to include diverse populations, including Californians with disabilities?

California should lead the world not only in building new technology, but in making sure that technology works for everyone. As Governor, I would push for a partnership between the state, disability advocates, and technology companies to make accessibility and affordability a design requirement from the beginning. That means promoting universal design, stronger accessibility standards in state procurement, and incentives for companies developing tools that expand independence, communication, education, and employment for people with disabilities.

I would also work to ensure that assistive technology and accessible devices are affordable and available, especially for low-income Californians, students, seniors, and people who rely on technology to work or communicate. The state can use its purchasing power, grant programs, and public-private partnerships to help scale technologies that are accessible, effective, and affordable.

On artificial intelligence, I believe California has a responsibility to lead with both innovation and safeguards. AI can create enormous opportunities for accessibility but it can also deepen discrimination if people with disabilities are left out of the design process or if biased systems are allowed to make decisions about hiring, housing, education, healthcare, or public benefits. My approach would be to require transparency, accessibility, and accountability in high-impact AI systems, while ensuring people with disabilities are represented in the policymaking, testing, and oversight of these tools.

I would also support strong standards to make sure AI systems used by government are accessible, do not discriminate, and are regularly evaluated for disparate impacts on disabled Californians and other underserved communities. Technology should expand freedom and opportunity, not create new barriers.

13. Despite decades of state and federal legal requirements, both public and private sector entities continue to provide web content that is inaccessible to persons with disabilities, especially persons who are blind or have low vision. What commitments would you make to more stringent laws and increased enforcement of state law to ensure websites that are fully accessible to people with disabilities?

Accessibility is not optional: it is a civil right. The law is already clear, but compliance and enforcement have not kept pace. As Governor, I would make digital accessibility a top priority and ensure that both public and private entities are meeting their obligations.

I would strengthen enforcement of existing state laws by directing agencies to conduct regular audits of public-facing websites and digital services, with clear timelines for remediation and real consequences for noncompliance. The state should lead by example, and no California resident should be unable to access essential services because a website is not usable.

I would also expand technical assistance and resources, especially for small businesses and local governments, so they can meet these standards.

I would increase accountability by requiring accessibility certification for state contractors and vendors, and by tying state funding to compliance with accessibility requirements. I would ensure that enforcement is meaningful. That includes strengthening complaint processes, empowering oversight bodies, and ensuring that individuals who encounter barriers have a clear path to resolution.

14. California’s mental health system is struggling to keep up with major policy and funding changes implemented in the past five years—including CARE Court, SB 43, and Proposition 1—while one in seven adults live with a mental illness and many Californians struggle to find providers who accept their insurance. What is your plan to improve mental health care in California? What role do you see for peer leaders with lived experience with mental illness and substance abuse to help shape your approach, and what is your plan to fund and support consumer-operated, peer-led services—such as wellness centers and peer support? How can California work with private insurers to be more responsive to the growing need for care?

California’s mental health system needs more capacity, more accountability, and a lot more access. CARE Court, SB 43, CalAIM, and Proposition 1 have all changed the landscape, but too many Californians still cannot find timely care, too many providers do not accept their insurance, and too many families are left navigating a fragmented system. Proposition 1 is now reshaping behavioral health funding and facilities, including up to $6.4 billion in bond funding for supportive housing and community-based treatment settings, while SB 43 broadened the definition of “gravely disabled,” with counties allowed to defer parts of implementation until January 1, 2026.

As Governor, my plan would focus on four priorities: expand the workforce, grow community-based treatment capacity, make the system easier to navigate, and enforce real access from both public and private coverage. California has already added Medi-Cal peer support as a reimbursable service, and as of September 2025, 53 counties had adopted it in one or both delivery systems. I would build on that by expanding reimbursement, training, and technical assistance for peer support, wellness centers, peer respites, and other consumer-operated models so they are not treated as side programs but as core parts of the continuum of care.

Peer leaders with lived experience should help shape policy at every level. They know where the system fails, where trust breaks down, and what actually helps people stay engaged in treatment and recovery. I would ensure peers have a formal seat in planning, implementation, and oversight, and I would direct state agencies to include peer-led organizations in county and statewide behavioral health decision-making. That approach fits with California’s broader person-centered reforms under CalAIM and the state’s move toward more community-based behavioral health services.

I would also make funding peer-led services a priority under the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. Proposition 1’s reforms explicitly include treatment, housing interventions, and behavioral health workforce support, and that should include sustained support for peer-run services that help people avoid crisis, hospitalization, and homelessness.

On private insurers, California already has strong mental health parity law, but enforcement has to be tougher and faster. The state’s Mental Health Parity Act requires state-regulated commercial plans and insurers to provide full coverage for the treatment of all mental health conditions and substance use disorders. As Governor, I would push DMHC and CDI to more aggressively enforce timely access, adequacy of provider networks, and parity compliance, and I would require clearer public reporting so consumers can see which plans are failing to deliver care.

15. Many disabled Californians have been traumatized by the racial profiling and aggressive tactics being used by ICE employees in our State. How will you protect Californians from illegal harassment by the federal government and their contractors?

Every Californian, regardless of disability or immigration status, deserves to live with dignity, safety, and freedom from harassment. Reports of aggressive or unlawful tactics are deeply concerning, especially when they retraumatize already vulnerable communities, including people with disabilities.

As Governor, I would use the full authority of the state to protect Californians’ civil rights. That starts with strengthening and enforcing California’s existing “sanctuary” and due process laws, ensuring that state and local agencies are not complicit in unlawful federal actions and that residents know their rights. I would also direct state agencies to provide clear guidance, legal resources, and rapid-response support to individuals and families impacted by enforcement actions.

I would work closely with the Attorney General to investigate and challenge any unlawful conduct by federal agents or contractors, including racial profiling or violations of disability rights and due process. California should not hesitate to pursue legal action when federal actions cross the line.

At the same time, I would invest in community-based organizations including disability-led and immigrant-serving groups, that can provide trusted outreach, legal assistance, and support to those affected. People should not have to navigate fear and confusion alone.

I would ensure that any interactions with law enforcement or federal authorities account for disability accommodations and protections, so that no one is harmed or left without the support they need.

16. What ideas do you have to improve our state’s understanding and support for people with Long COVID?

Long COVID is a growing and still evolving public health challenge, and California needs to treat it with the same urgency as other chronic conditions that impact people’s ability to work, learn, and live independently. As Governor, I would focus on improving data, access to care, and long-term support.

We need better data and coordination. I would direct state health agencies to improve tracking of Long COVID prevalence, outcomes, and disparities so we can understand who is most affected and where gaps in care exist. That data should inform funding, workforce planning, and program design across healthcare, disability services, and employment systems.

I would expand access to care by supporting multidisciplinary Long COVID clinics and ensuring Medi-Cal and private insurers cover evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and mental health services. Many patients struggle to find providers who understand Long COVID, so we need to invest in provider education and clinical guidance.

I would recognize Long COVID within our disability and workforce systems. That means ensuring people can access disability benefits, workplace accommodations, and job protections when needed, while also supporting pathways back to work for those who are able.

I would partner with patients, researchers, and disability-led organizations to guide our approach. People living with Long COVID have been leading voices in identifying gaps in care, and their lived experience should shape how California responds.

17. Access to healthcare is vitally important to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who often face barriers to care. What ideas do you have to increase equal access to healthcare for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?

Access to healthcare for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Californians must be treated as a civil rights issue, not an accommodation afterthought. As Governor, I would focus on enforcing existing rights, expanding language access, and ensuring providers are equipped to deliver truly accessible care.

I would strengthen enforcement of communication access requirements so patients can reliably receive qualified ASL interpreters, captioning, and other appropriate auxiliary aids at no cost. Too often, patients are forced to rely on family members or go without effective communication, which is unacceptable and unsafe.

I would invest in the workforce—expanding the pipeline of qualified interpreters, supporting training for providers on Deaf culture and communication access, and incentivizing healthcare systems to build in-house or on-demand interpreting capacity, including through telehealth. I would improve accessibility across telehealth and digital health platforms by requiring high-quality captioning, video relay compatibility, and user-centered design so Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients can access care remotely without barriers.

I would ensure early and consistent access to information and services, including language acquisition support, patient navigation, and outreach through trusted Deaf-led and community-based organizations. I would require stronger accountability, clear standards, reporting, and enforcement, so healthcare providers meet their obligations and patients have a clear path to raise concerns and get resolution.

18. In 2024, California’s poverty rate tied (with Louisiana) for the highest in the United States. What ideas do you have for helping Californians get the resources they need to meet their basic needs, and be able to afford to live here?

California’s cost of living is pushing too many people, especially people with disabilities, seniors, and working families, into poverty. My approach would focus on lowering core costs, increasing access to income and supports, and making sure people can actually navigate and receive the benefits they qualify for.

I would tackle the biggest drivers of cost—housing, healthcare, and childcare. That means accelerating affordable and accessible housing production, strengthening rental assistance and eviction prevention, and protecting and expanding Medi-Cal so people are not forced to choose between care and rent.

I would increase access to income supports and make them easier to use. Too many Californians are eligible for programs like CalFresh, SSI/SSP, and tax credits but never receive them because of complex applications or fear of participation. I would streamline enrollment, expand automatic and continuous eligibility where possible, and invest in community-based and peer navigators who can help people access benefits with dignity and trust.

I would support good-paying jobs and pathways to work, including workforce development, apprenticeship programs, and stronger labor standards so work actually lifts people out of poverty.

I would ensure that our safety-net programs are designed with the people they serve, so they are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to real-life needs, including for people with disabilities and those living in rural or underserved communities.

19. California incarcerates a higher percentage of its people than almost any democratic country, and Black Californians are nine times more likely to be imprisoned than white Californians. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, at least 40 percent of people in state prisons have a disability. As Governor, what would be your approach to public safety and racial equity as it relates to the criminal justice system?

My approach to public safety is simple: we should prevent crime, hold people accountable, and build a justice system that is fair, effective, and worthy of the public’s trust. California cannot accept a system where racial disparities are this stark and where so many people with disabilities are caught in cycles of incarceration without receiving the support or treatment they need.

As Governor, I would focus on prevention first—investing in mental health care, substance use treatment, housing, youth programs, education, and violence intervention so fewer people enter the justice system in the first place. I would also work to reduce unnecessary incarceration for people whose needs are better addressed through treatment, diversion, and community-based support, especially for people with behavioral health needs and disabilities.

At the same time, I would push for greater accountability and transparency throughout the system: better data on racial disparities and disability status, stronger oversight of prisons and jails, safer conditions, and more meaningful reentry support so people leaving custody have a real chance to succeed. Public safety and racial equity are not in conflict. California is safest when the system is focused on prevention, fairness, rehabilitation, and real accountability.

20. In 2020, Governor Newsom signed SB 823 to close California’s youth prison system, which transferred the responsibility to care for young people charged with the most serious offenses from the state to the counties. Many young people who are currently detained in county-run juvenile detention facilities are disabled and reenter their communities with unaddressed and/or additional disabilities. There are also some juvenile detention facilities that the Board of State and Community Corrections have deemed unsuitable for housing young people, and yet they remain open. What ideas do you have to support young people with disabilities before and while they encounter the juvenile legal system?

SB 823 created an opportunity to rethink how California supports young people, but too many youth, especially those with disabilities, are still being failed both before they enter the system and while they are in it. My approach would focus on prevention, proper care while in custody, and real pathways to reentry.

Before system involvement, I would invest in early intervention—school-based mental health services, special education supports, family services, and community-based programs that address behavioral health and disability needs before they escalate into justice involvement. Too often, young people are pushed into the system because their needs were not met in school or in their community.

While in custody, I would require counties to meet clear, enforceable standards for education, healthcare, and disability services. That includes full IDEA compliance, access to behavioral health treatment, and appropriate accommodations for youth with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Facilities that have been deemed unsuitable should not continue to house young people, and I would push for stronger enforcement and accountability by the Board of State and Community Corrections to ensure youth are not placed in unsafe or inappropriate conditions.

For reentry, I would require coordinated transition planning that begins well before release, connecting youth to education, healthcare (including Medi-Cal), disability services, and community-based supports so they are not returning home without a plan. That includes ensuring continuity of care for medications, therapies, and individualized education services.

Finally, I would center youth and families in this process, working with disability-led organizations, advocates, and impacted communities to ensure policies reflect real needs and lead to better outcomes. The goal is to keep young people out of the system whenever possible and, when they do enter it, ensure they are supported, not harmed, and given a real chance to succeed.

21. With federal civil rights enforcement severely weakened, state agencies are now carrying more of the burden. What specific steps will you take to strengthen California’s civil rights enforcement agencies—through funding, staffing, authority, and coordination—so that rights violations are investigated and remedied promptly and effectively across the state, including violations that implicate AI developers and deployers?

California cannot wait for Washington to protect people’s rights. If federal enforcement is pulling back, the state has to step up with more capacity, clearer authority, and faster action.

As Governor, I would strengthen California’s civil rights enforcement in four ways. I would increase funding and staffing for the agencies responsible for investigating discrimination, protecting workers, enforcing disability rights, and overseeing unfair or unlawful business practices so complaints are not left sitting for months while harm continues. I would improve coordination across agencies so that civil rights, consumer protection, labor, education, healthcare, and housing enforcement are not operating in silos when the same pattern of discrimination affects multiple parts of a person’s life.

I would push for stronger authority and clearer standards where gaps exist, especially around emerging technologies. AI cannot become a shield for discrimination. I would require rigorous oversight of high-impact AI systems used in areas like employment, housing, education, healthcare, public benefits, and criminal justice, including testing for bias, transparency requirements, audit trails, and meaningful consequences when systems produce discriminatory outcomes. AI developers and deployers alike should be accountable when their tools violate Californians’ rights.

I would focus on access and enforcement from the public’s perspective: simpler complaint processes, multilingual and accessible reporting systems, stronger community partnerships, and clear timelines for investigation and remedy. Civil rights protections only matter if people can actually use them. My goal would be to make California the national model for civil rights enforcement that is proactive, coordinated, and equipped for the challenges of this moment.

Media Contact

Sam Mickens
Director of Communications
(646) 945-0918
Sam.Mickens@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.