The Latest: Brown backs ban on smoking near youth sports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Latest on Gov. Jerry Brown’s action on legislation (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation to ban smoking and vaping within 250 feet of youth sporting events in California.

Brown said Friday he’s approving the legislation that was proposed by an 8th grade class at a Catholic school in Elk Grove near Sacramento.

SB977 would allow a fine for anyone using tobacco products or electronic cigarettes while children are present at practices, games or other activities related to youth sports.

Democratic Sen. Richard Pan of Sacramento says his bill would set the right example for young people playing sports.

The measure is the latest in a series of restrictions on smoking that lawmakers approved this year, such as raising the age to purchase tobacco and electronic cigarette from 18 to 21.

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2:55 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed legislation that included $500,000 to monitor and cap abandoned and leaking offshore oil wells.

The Democratic governor said Friday that he is instead directing state agencies to create an inventory of old oil and gas wells along the coast to determine the location and environmental effects of leaks. He says the information will better inform future actions to take care of problem wells.

Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara wrote the legislation after the influx of oil onto Summerland Beach along the Central California coast.

The popular beach was briefly closed last year while officials looked for the source of smelly oil and tar balls, and health officials have warned visitors to avoid the oil.

State officials estimate there are about 200 abandoned offshore wells.

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11:55 a.m.

California women will be able to make fewer trips to the pharmacy to pick up birth control under a new law.

Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday he has signed SB999 to allow pharmacists to dispense 12 months of hormonal contraceptives at a time, up from the current three-month limit.

It also requires insurance companies to cover a year’s supply of doctor-prescribed birth control.

The bill’s author, Democratic Sen. Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills, says women are smart enough to carefully use the drugs appropriately.

Pavley and other supporters say longer supplies will reduce skipped doses and prevent unintended pregnancies and abortions.

Health insurance associations oppose the change, saying it could result in duplicate coverage by different insurers and more wasted medication.

It takes effect on Jan. 1.

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11:20 a.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown is approving legislation that seeks to stop surprise medical bills from doctors not covered by a patient’s health plan.

Brown said Friday he’s signed AB72 by Assemblyman Rob Bonta of Alameda.

Unions and patient advocacy groups say patients shouldn’t face massive bills if they visit a hospital that accepts their insurance but are treated by a doctor who doesn’t. Unexpected bills commonly come from radiologists, pathologists and anesthesiologists who get involved in diagnosing or caring for hospitalized patients.

The law will establish a rate for doctors to be paid in such circumstances and creates an independent review board to resolve disagreements.

Similar legislation died on the last day of the legislative session last year. It was revived after lawmakers increased the default payment for out-of-network doctors.