Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo Introduces 2025 Bill Package, Secures Insurance Protections for Fire Survivors

 

By Santa Clarita Star Staff

03/9/2025 at 11:30 AM

 

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has introduced a 2025 legislative package focused on housing affordability, homelessness prevention, and medical debt relief while also securing an insurance moratorium for Hughes Fire survivors to prevent policy cancellations. Her efforts aim to provide stability for vulnerable residents, expedite housing development, and ensure financial protection for families facing hardship.

 

 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has introduced a legislative package for the 2025 session, proposing 18 bills aimed at addressing affordability, community safety, housing, and homelessness. Among the bills announced this week are measures to expedite housing permits, prevent medical debt from leading to homelessness, and improve housing stability for foster youth.

 

“We need to take bold action to tackle the challenges our community is facing—from the housing affordability crisis to financial hardships that push people further into instability,” Schiavo said in a press release. “These bills are about cutting red tape, expediting action, providing real support for families, and making sure people have the foundation they need to thrive.”

 

One of the key proposals, AB 301, aims to accelerate housing development by requiring state agencies to adhere to the exact timelines as counties for reviewing and approving housing permits. If agencies fail to meet deadlines, approvals will be automatically granted, preventing unnecessary delays.

Another measure, AB 1312, known as the Patient Debt Prevention Act, would require hospitals to prescreen patients for financial assistance before they are discharged. This includes individuals experiencing homelessness, Medi-Cal recipients, and those with more than $500 in medical debt. The purpose is to ensure they are informed about charity care programs before being burdened with bills they may not be able to afford.

 

Schiavo is also championing AB 534, which seeks to increase housing options for foster youth by making it easier for service providers to access private financing for transitional housing programs. The bill aims to provide stable, long-term housing solutions for young people aging out of the foster care system.

 

A 2024 study from the California Policy Lab found that youth aging out of the foster care system in Los Angeles County face high levels of housing instability, with 30% flagged as experiencing homelessness when enrolling in safety-net programs. The limited availability of housing resources—just 500 slots for 1,000 youth exiting care annually—fails to meet demand, leaving many at risk of homelessness. Systemic challenges, including high caseworker turnover, lack of culturally competent support, and fragmented services, hinder successful transitions to independence. Black and female youth are disproportionately affected, and many struggle with employment, mental health issues, and securing stable housing. The report highlights the urgent need for expanded and more accessible transitional housing, trauma-informed care, and stronger employment pathways to prevent homelessness among former foster youth.

 

As Schiavo pushes forward with these legislative efforts, she has also secured an insurance moratorium for residents affected by the Hughes Fire. Following advocacy from her office, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara extended a mandatory one-year ban on insurance non-renewals and cancellations to include homeowners in the wildfire’s burn area.

“When we learned that Hughes Fire survivors weren’t covered under the insurance moratorium, we immediately took action, bringing this need to the Insurance Commissioner,” Schiavo said in a press release. “Our communities of Castaic, Val Verde, and Santa Clarita have already been through so much, and we must do everything we can to protect what is often the most important investment—your home.”

 

Lara emphasized that the moratorium ensures residents in wildfire-impacted areas do not lose coverage while they recover.

“Homeowners affected by the Hughes Fire and other devastating wildfires should not have to worry about losing their insurance coverage during this crisis,” said Commissioner Lara in a press release. “My moratorium powers ensure that insurers cannot cancel or refuse to renew policies for those in wildfire-impacted areas, providing much-needed stability and relief during this difficult time. My team and I are working tirelessly to protect consumers and help them receive the benefits they are entitled to as quickly as possible.”

 

Residents impacted by the Hughes Fire who have insurance concerns can contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov.

Schiavo’s proposed bills will be heard in policy committees in the coming months, with opportunities for public input.