CPPC Advocacy

SAN DIEGO (April 14, 2025) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted testimony to the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions in opposition to AB 408 (Berman) , the Physician and Surgeon Health and Wellness Program (PHWP). CPPC believes this program is inconsistent with the Medical Board of California’s (MBC) statutory priority of public protection over other interests sought to be promoted. CPPC urges the Legislature to reject the proposed PHWP legislation and instead encourage MBC to focus on matters that truly and appropriately concern the legitimate regulatory functions of MBC.

SAN DIEGO (September 24, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom in support of AB-X2-1. This bill will protect consumers from price gouging practices that have harmed the people of California in recent years.  

SAN DIEGO (July 1, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted public comment to the California Department of Insurance (CDI) on the consumer intervenor process.

SAN DIEGO (March 25, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the Chair of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, Catherine Blakespear, in support of SB 1476. SB 1476, would clarify that the conflict of interest codes of the State Bar of California (State Bar) must be in compliance with the Political Reform Act of 1974 (PRA) and the FPPC’s enforcement mechanisms apply to violations of those codes. CPPC believes the bill in necessary to strengthen accountability and improve transparency. After the Thomas Girardi scandal, it became evident that clarifications to the PRA were needed to ensure the State Bar’s conflict of interest code must be compliant with the PRA and that the enforcement provisions of the PRA apply to the State Bar. To read CPPC’s letter, click here . To read the bill, click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 25, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Thomas Umberg, in support of SB 1061. SB 1061 (Limón), would prohibit the reporting of medical debt on consumer credit reports. SB 1061 specifically prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt on credit reports and requires that medical debt contracts include provisions preventing medical debt information from being shared with credit reporting agencies (CRAs). To enforce the exclusion of medical debt on credit reports, this bill makes medical debt void if it is shared with a CRA. CPPC believes the bill will improve information collection as well as our understanding about debt collection lawsuits and the patients being sued, and help to inform policymaking. To read CPPC’s letter, click here . To read the bill, click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 5, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Assemblymember Cottie Petri-Norris in support of AB 2906. AB 2096 helps protect all students at public postsecondary institutions by allowing the appropriate administrator to seek a civil, firearm, and ammunition-prohibiting restraining order from those who have made credible threats of harm. CPPC believes this bill, if enacted, will increase safety, reduce dangerous situations, and ultimately make our schools safer. To read CPPC’s letter, click here . To read the bill, click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 5, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Assemblymember Akilah Weber in support of AB 1900. AB 1900 would prohibit businesses from using nondisclosure agreements as a condition of settlement with mistreated consumers. CPPC believes this bill will allow consumers access to highly valuable information about a business’ unfair practices before interacting with the business. To read CPPC’s letter, click here . To read the bill, click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 5, 2024) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Assemblymember Cottie Petri-Norris in support of AB 1974.

SAN DIEGO (October 25, 2023) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted public comment to the State Bar of California on its Proposal for a Portfolio Bar Examination. While CPPC welcomes alternative pathways to licensure apart from the two-day bar exam, CPPC provided recommendations to the Bar to ensure well-qualified candidates have a fair pathway to licensure based on the different legal practice areas. To read CPPC’s comment, click here .

SAN DIEGO (September 22, 2023) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting he veto SB 842 (Bradford).  SB 842 undermines the landmark price gouging law Governor Newsom championed earlier this year. State regulators need all the tools to protect consumers and combat the increasing gasoline prices in California, which are now $1.43 more than the rest of the country.  New state reporting shows refinery margins have doubled since January and are now at $1.20 per gallon.

SAN DIEGO (July 26, 2023) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the California Assembly Committee on Business & Professions in support of SB 815 (Roth), the sunset legislation for the Medical Board of California (MBC).

SAN DIEGO (May 9, 2022) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the California Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection in support of AB 2912 (Berman).  AB 2912 introduced by Assemblymember Marc Berman, seeks to resolve this issue by prohibiting an express warranty for a consumer good from commencing earlier than the date the consumer receives the good, eliminating the presumption that the express warranty commences from the date of purchase unless otherwise specified for express warranties made in this state. This would allow the consumer to avail themselves of the entire express warranty duration, rather than being at the mercy of shipping logistics. When a warranty effective date starts at the time of purchase, the consumer does not receive the full benefit or duration of the warranty.  A problem that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and supply chain issues. CPPC agrees with Assemblymember Berman’s sentiments and therefore supports AB 2912. To read CPPC’s letter, click here .

SAN DIEGO (April 13, 2022) - The Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law is proud to announce the recipient of the 2022 Julianne D. Fellmeth Public Interest Law Scholarship, Summer Bosse, ‘23 (JD Candidate). The scholarship was established in honor of Julianne D’Angelo Fellmeth ’76 (BA), ’83 (JD), who retired in 2019 after serving as the Center for Public Interest Law’s (now CPPC), Administrative Director for 30 years.  As the Julie D. Fellmeth Scholar, Ms. Bosse will dedicate 150 hours over the next year to develop an innovative “big idea” for using the law as a tool for social change. Specifically, Summer’s project will focus on promoting a ballot initiative that calls for plastic regulation in California and promoting city-level plastic regulations through public comments and outreach at city councils. She also plans on promoting education about micro-plastic dangers, the ballot initiative, avenues for change, and how to make public comments by reaching out to several organizations, especially at the collegiate level. She believes educating the next generation of environmentalists and voters on how they can impact their local governments is key to increasing public participation in important issues. Summer Bosse is a rising third-year law student who was born and raised in California. She grew up in Santa Barbara and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. While at USD School of Law she has worked with the Legal Aid Society of California, the Transgender Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic, and the Women's Law Caucus. 

SAN DIEGO (March 18, 2022) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the California Assembly Committee on Business & Professions in support of AB 2060 (Quirk).  AB 2060 introduced by Assemblymember Bill Quirk, and sponsored by the Medical Board, would increase the number of public members from seven to eight—thus creating a public-member majority on the Board. Assemblymember Quirk has argued that “consumer protection boards should be composed of a majority of people who are members of the public, rather than those of the profession they regulate. It is a feature that should be included in all boards.” CPPC agrees with Assemblymember Quirk’s sentiments and therefore strongly supports AB 2060. To read CPPC’s letter, click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 18, 2022) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the California Assembly Committee on Business & Professions in support of AB 1636 (Weber).  AB1636, introduced by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, among other provisions, would prohibit the Board from ever reinstating the certificate of a person who has been required to register as a sex offender, regardless of whether the conviction has been appealed. To read CPPC’s letter, click here .

SAN DIEGO (January 18, 2022) – The University of San Diego School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center's (CPPC) Administrative Director Karen Thomas Stefano submitted a written public comment concerning the September 23, 2021, California Paraprofessional Program Working Group Report and Recommendations. To read the full written comment, visit CPPC’s website .

SAN DIEGO (December 20, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) at the Centers for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the Chairs of the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees in response to their December letter to the State Bar of California on the Closing the Justice Gap working group regulatory sandbox.

SAN DIEGO (September 15, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting his signature on Assembly Bill 1057 (Petrie-Norris).  CPIL is the proud sponsor of AB 1057 which will close a loophole for emergency Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) by including ghost guns in the definition of seizable items. This bipartisan measure works to protect and advance a reality where every person—rich or poor, old or young—is protected against preventable gun violence. To read CPIL’s letter, click here .

SAN DIEGO (August 19, 2021) - University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta on whether California regulatory boards are complying with the U.S. Supreme Court decision North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission. In addition, CPIL stressed the need to reinstate Vertical Enforcement at the Medical Board of California. To read the letter click here . To learn more about CPIL's advocacy to protect consumers please visit our webpage .

SAN DIEGO (June 15, 2021) - The Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law is proud to announce the recipient of the 2021 Julianne D. Fellmeth Public Interest Law Scholarship, Alex Ruf, ‘22 (JD Candidate). The scholarship was established in honor of Julianne D’Angelo Fellmeth ’76 (BA), ’83 (JD), who retired in 2019 after serving as CPIL’s Administrative Director for 30 years.  As the Julie D. Fellmeth Scholar, Ms. Ruf will dedicate 150 hours over the next year to develop an innovative “big idea” for using the law as a tool for social change. Specifically, Alex’s project will focus on researching issues related to juvenile incarceration rates in the state of California. She plans to monitor California legislation relating to the imprisonment of juveniles and the effectiveness of such laws on offense rates and barriers to re-entry into society. Alex hopes to bring awareness to the problems involved in imprisoning minors, suggest new alternatives to incarceration, and closely examine how California’s dependency on incarceration affects juveniles, specifically some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

SAN DIEGO (June 4, 2021) - University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) filed an amicus curiae brief in support of appellant Helena Pappas in the California State Court of Appeal, First Appellate District. This case concerns two matters of public policy, for which CPIL directly advocated before the legislature: 1) Bus. & Prof. Code § 2220.7 (prohibiting doctors from including in civil settlement agreements a so-called “regulatory gag clause,” a “provision that prohibits another party to the dispute from contacting or cooperating with the board” or “filing a complaint with the board,” and declaring that any such provision is “void as against public policy;”); and 2) Bus. & Prof. Code § 801.01 (including legislative findings and declarations that “the filing of reports with the applicable state agencies required under this section is essential for the protection of the public,” and requiring malpractice insurers to provide a “complete report” to MBC for all civil malpractice settlements in excess of $30,000 for damages or personal injury caused by a licensee’s alleged negligence, error, or omission in practice.   To read the brief click here .

SAN DIEGO (May 25, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted a letter to the legislature this week in support of the recent changes to SB 806 (Roth), the Medical Board of California’s (MBC) sunset legislation. The amendments, many of which CPIL recommended in its written and oral testimony at the Board’s Joint Sunset Review Oversight hearing on March 19, 2021, are critical steps to restoring the public’s trust in MBC’s ability to protect the public from unethical and incompetent physicians and surgeons. To read CPIL’s support letter, click here .

SAN DIEGO (May 20, 2021) - University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL), 2020 Julie D. Fellmeth Public Interest Law Scholar Marcus Friedman, ’21 (JD), featured in USD Magazine on his work in CPIL's Public Interest Law Clinic. To read the article click here .

SAN DIEGO (May 13, 2021) - University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) has submitted a letter in support of AB 1278 (Nazarian). AB 1278 would assist patients in making better-informed decisions by requiring doctors who receive payment from a drug or device company to disclose that to their patients prior to treatment.  To read CPIL's letter and read the AB 1278 (Nazarian) Fact Sheet, please visit CPIL's website .

SAN DIEGO (April 21, 2021) – University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL), 2020 Julie D. Fellmeth Public Interest Law Scholar, Marcus Friedman ’21 (JD Candidate) was quoted in the Orange County Register on AB 1057 (Petrie-Norris) .

SAN DIEGO (April 20, 2021) – University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law’s (CPIL), Administrative Director Bridget Gramme will present at the Medical Board of California’s Public Stakeholder Meeting on April 21, 2021, on Amplifying Public Voices: Transforming Public Comment into Meaningful Change. For more information about the event or to attend the WebEx, click here .

SAN DIEGO (April 13, 2021)  - University of San Diego (USD) School of Law's Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) is proud to sponsor AB 1278 (Nazarian) : Medical and Drug Disclosure. This bill would assist patients in making better-informed decisions by requiring doctors who receive payments from drug or device companies to disclose that to their patients prior to treatment. The written disclosure would link to the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments website where patients can easily search for information about financial relationships between drug and device companies and physicians.

SAN DIEGO (March 12, 2021) - The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) Administrative Director Bridget Gramme appeared on Consumer Watchdog's podcast "Rage for Justice Report" with Carmen Balber to discuss needed reforms of the Medical Board of California that is failing to protect patient safety.  To listen to the podcast click here .

SAN DIEGO (March 10, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) and other organizations submitted written testimony by letter today to the California legislature in regards to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education's Sunset Review Hearing To read the letter in its entirety or find out more information about CPIL please visit CPIL’s  webpage .

SAN DIEGO (March 10, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted written testimony by letter today to the California legislature’s Joint Sunset Oversight Hearing in regards to the Board of Registered Nursing. To read the letter in its entirety or find out more information about CPIL please visit CPIL’s  webpage .

SAN DIEGO (March 3, 2021) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) submitted written testimony by letter today to the California legislature’s Joint Sunset Oversight Hearing in regards to the Medical Board of California. To read the letter in its entirety or find out more information about CPIL please visit CPIL’s webpage .

SAN DIEGO (December 17, 2020) – University of San Diego (USD) School of Law alumna Marie F. Shimada, ’18 (JD) was named Executive Director of the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance (SVPA). SVPA identifies sustainable solutions for land use and floodplain management in Washington's King County. Snoqualmie Valley is located 30 miles east of Seattle in the scenic Cascade foothills.

The importance of public interest law practice in our society cannot be overstated. Many interests worthy of protection—including those of low-income individuals, the environment, children and other diffuse and unorganized interests—are underrepresented or unrepresented. Public interest lawyers working for legal services and other nonprofit organizations ensure that these interests have access to representation in our legal system. USD School of Law prepares its students to practice public interest law through its existing civil, criminal, immigration and environmental clinical programs. USD law students have indicated their interest in and support for public interest law by forming the Public Interest Law Foundation and Pro Bono Legal Advocates. USD School of Law assists alumni choosing public interest law as a career in repaying their law school loans through the Loan Assistance Repayment Program (LRAP). The eligibility requirements are as follows: (1) employed in a full-time law or law-related position with a nonprofit 501(c) 3 or 501(c) 4 organization; (2) earn an annual salary of $65,000 or less at time of initial application; (3) employed in current position for at least one year; and (4) owe a minimum of $80,000 in law school loans. Average awards are $7,600 for each approved application. More information and complete application .