Senate President Darrell Steinberg and former Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero have announced that they will co-author SB399.  They join author Senator Leland Yee, Ph.D., Assistant President pro Tempore of the Senate.  Senator Steinberg is a long-time advocate for children’s rights, having worked for years to improve foster care for children and youth.  Senator Gloria Romero, Senate Majority Leader from 2001 to 2008, is a leading legislative expert on reform of  California’s prison system.  Senator Romero will be a principal co-author.  Their commitment indicates the growing support for ending life without parole for youth.  “Life without parole means absolutely no opportunity for release,” said Senator Yee. “It also means minors are often left without access to programs and rehabilitative services while in prison. This sentence was created for the worst of criminals that have no possibility of reform and it is not a humane way to handle children. While the crimes they committed caused undeniable suffering, these youth offenders are not the worst of the worst.”