Abortion, guns, Covid, housing, nursing homes, criminal justice, unions, environment and internet are some of the top issues the Legislature will be tackling in August.

The new order is made in light of the emergence in Santa Clara County of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and the 'imminent threat' that it poses to the health of vulnerable residents and the capacity of the healthcare system.

A new state law is designed to make it easier for California to prevail in enforcement actions against nursing homes. Sponsored by Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat, the legislation raised nursing home fines — which hadn’t changed in about 20 years — by 20 to 50%. 

The California Department of Public Health blames problems at nursing homes on staffing shortages, turnover, training and pandemic pressures at hearing at the Capitol.

The California Department of Public Health also mandated that all people visiting a health care setting must confirm their vaccination status or have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to their indoor visit.

Over 100,000 residents and workers in long-term care homes have died from the virus, with the first outbreak recorded as early as February.