Here is the latest on SB 131:

• Governor Brown has until October 13 (a previous blog post said October 10) to sign the bill, veto the bill, or do nothing.
• If he signs the bill or does nothing, SB 131 becomes law. As written, the law would go into effect on January 1, 2014.
• If Brown vetoes the bill, SB 131 is dead.

What is the difference between signing the bill and doing nothing? Think of the bill like it’s your 40th birthday. Signing the bill is throwing yourself a 40th birthday party. You invite all of your friends, laugh, take photos and have a great time. If you do nothing, you turn 40 anyway. Quietly. Hoping that no one notices.

A veto is another story. In that case, the bill is dead and victims lose the right to use the civil court system for justice.

There is still time to write Brown and tell him to support SB 131. Click here to write him right now, and tell all of your friends.

I know that there are survivors across California carefully watching this bill and wondering what their next steps are. If you have questions, leave them in the comments or email me directly. A good therapist is a great start. So is talking to other survivors who have been through the process.