Amber Maltbie Quoted on AB220 Being Signed Into Law

Amber Maltbie, a Partner in our Government Relations & Regulation Group, spearheaded legislation—AB220—that amended the California Political Reform Act to allow state and local candidates to use campaign funds for childcare costs incurred while engaged in campaign activities. AB220 was signed into law on September 30, 2019 by California Governor Gavin Newsom, and was introduced by California Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Alameda).

Ms. Magazine published an article on AB220 being passed, “Inside California’s New Law Pushing for Gender Parity in Public Office,” that quoted Amber. The article noted that advocates for electing more women—such as Emerge California, a training program for Democratic women candidates, of which Amber is a Board Member—say the bill’s passage is important not just for the sake of fairness, but also so that policymakers are more reflective of the state as a whole. Commenting on the issue, Amber said “There’s a really important voice by having all women at the table—young women, low-income women—to have the California Legislature look like California. As a campaign finance attorney and advocate for greater gender parity in elected office, I have seen firsthand how the cost of child care prevents and delays women from running for office. AB 220 is commonsense reform which will allow more women to run for office.”

Additionally, Amber was quoted by ShareBlue Media in a piece on AB220, “California Passes Bill To Promote Gender Equality In State Government.”