At a recent town hall meeting in Altadena, Senator Portantino confirmed that he will be the primary author of Meow Meow Foundation’s (MMF) proposed day camp licensing bill.

Portantino said to MMF principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas that he spoke with Assemblymember Brian Maienschein who authored the most recent attempt to license day camps. That bill, known as AB 1964, failed to emerge from the Appropriations committee for which Portantino was and still is chairman.

Portantino also said that reaching out to Maienschein was the “old school” way of recognizing the efforts of a colleague—even if legislative efforts fail—and working with him or her toward reversing a bill’s fate. Maienschein will co-author.

Forbes and Matyas said they were elated that Portantino enthusiastically supported their mission. They also said that they informed the senator about Assemblymember Chris Holden’s passion for passing the bill and wanted him onboard as another co-author. Holden’s office recently reached out to Forbes and Matyas to further discuss legislative action.

Portantino’s Legislative Director Tara McGee said that she would be heading to Pasadena from Sacramento to work with Forbes and Matyas on language and to build strategic momentum. She said that the senator’s legislative counsel is ready to begin the exploratory phase.

Forbes and Matyas will spend the next month continuing to research existing day camp legislation throughout the country. They will also work with strategic partners, including the American Camp Association and the California Collaboration for Youth, to identify means by which opposition will be overcome and oversight can be funded.