Senator Steven Choi, PhD. (R–Irvine), announced that Senate Bill 1021 (SB 1021) has successfully passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water with unanimous support, advancing a first-of-its-kind program in California to support youth diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.
SB 1021 requires the California Fish and Game Commission to establish a program that expands opportunities for eligible youth to participate in guided hunting and fishing experiences, while maintaining California’s existing environmental protections and science-based wildlife management practices.
“SB 1021 is about giving young people facing life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to experience the outdoors in a meaningful and memorable way,” said Senator Choi. “These moments matter. They provide hope and connect these children to California’s natural heritage. This bill ensures those opportunities are available in a safe and structured way.”
Currently, California does not have a dedicated program to provide hunting and fishing access for youth with serious medical conditions, despite similar programs existing in multiple other states. SB 1021 fills that gap by directing the Commission to work with conservation groups, nonprofit organizations, and stakeholders to implement the program.
The bill also ensures that all participants comply with existing safety requirements, including hunter education standards, and that the program operates within California’s established wildlife conservation framework.
Tom Dermody, Founder of Field of Dreams, the sponsor of SB 1021, emphasized the impact of the program on participating families:
“For children facing life-threatening illnesses, time is precious,” said Tom Dermody, Field of Dreams. “This program creates opportunities for them to experience joy, adventure, and connection in the outdoors. We are proud to partner with Senator Choi to bring this vision to life in California.”
SB 1021 outlines a structured framework for program implementation, including stakeholder consultation, guided participation, and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
The bill now goes to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for fiscal considerations.