News

Hahn Supports Receivership of LA County Juvenile Halls 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Supports Receivership of LA County Juvenile Halls

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement in support of California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s request to place Los Angeles County juvenile halls into receivership:

“I wholeheartedly support receivership of our juvenile halls. We have spent years trying to improve conditions, exhausted every tool at the County level, and still, we are failing these young people. I stand ready to do everything I can to help receivership succeed and I urge our county leadership, our Chief Probation Officer, and our county lawyers to stay at the table to shape a process that helps ensure the kids who are not only in our custody but are in our care get the help and support they need.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn represents the Fourth District which includes Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Hahn Honors 15 Purple Heart Recipients Ahead of Purple Heart Day in LA County 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Honors 15 Purple Heart Recipients Ahead of Purple Heart Day in LA County

Hahn led Board of Supervisors in the proclamation of August 7 as Purple Heart Day

Hahn recognizes local Purple Heart Veterans

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn honored 15 local Purple Heart recipients during the meeting of the Board of Supervisors. The Purple Heart honors individuals wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The presentation comes just a week after the board approved Hahn’s motion to proclaim August 7 Purple Heart Day in Los Angeles County for the first time in the county’s history.

“Each of you have endured what most cannot imagine,” said Hahn to the honorees during the presentation. “You have borne wounds in defense of this country – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Today we honor that sacrifice. Our nation owes you not only gratitude, but our support.”

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most distinguished military decorations in the United States. Its origins date back to August 7, 1782, when General George Washington, unable to promote soldiers based on merit due to restrictions from the Continental Congress, created the Badge of Military Merit. In his order he authorized the badge, a purple heart-shaped cloth symbol, to recognize soldiers who performed “singularly meritorious action.”

Louis Dominguez speaks at Board Meeting

“On behalf of my fellow veterans and myself, we want to thank the County and each supervisor for giving us this wonderful chance to be recognized, especially our own supervisor for me, Janice Hahn. She’s the one that got us together. Thank you for this wonderful proclamation,” said Louis Dominguez during today’s presentation. Dominguez is a longtime community leader and former teacher in San Pedro who voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in the Vietnam War where he suffered serious injury. Dominguez was later recognized with various awards for his service, including a Purple Heart. In 2023, Hahn opened a 60-room interim housing site for formerly homeless veterans in San Pedro and named it the Louis Dominguez Veterans Center in Dominguez’s honor.

All of the veterans Hahn honored reside in the Fourth District and served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan and are listed below:

  • Louis Dominguez – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Rodolfo “Rudy” Casas – U.S. Army, Korean War
  • Zeferino John Madrigal III – U.S. Army, Afghanistan War
  • Bladamir Rodriguez – U.S. Army, Iraq War
  • Aeron Rimando – U.S. Army, Afghanistan War
  • Jesus Esquivel – U.S. Army, Afghanistan War
  • Alberto Lopez – U.S. Army, Afghanistan War
  • Santiago Rios – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Michael Whiting – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Leonard Pijpaert – U.S. Army, Iraq War
  • Robert Castillo – U.S. Army, Korean War
  • Alfred Mota – U.S. Army, Korean War
  • Ruben Valencia – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
  • Richard “Dickie” Rivas – U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War
  • James Stephen Dolan – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War

Footage of today’s presentation is available for download here: Video: Supervisor Hahn Honors Purple Heart Veterans 7-22-2025.

More photos from today’s reception and presentation available below
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4

Hahn, Fire Chief Urge EPA Removal of Illegal Fireworks Cache from Commerce Warehouse 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn, Fire Chief Urge EPA Removal of Illegal Fireworks Cache from Commerce Warehouse

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone have sent a letter to US EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting the urgent and expedited removal of 75 tons of dangerous illegal fireworks and 27 pallets of hand sanitizer from a warehouse in the City of Commerce.

Cal Fire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the discovery when they raided a warehouse in late May. The fireworks and hand sanitizer have been deemed hazardous material and, therefore, outside of the LA County Fire Department’s authority to remove. Although the US EPA has identified a Department of Defense site for the storage and safe destruction of the materials, Los Angeles County officials have been informed the removal of the fireworks is projected for mid-August, a timeline that is unacceptable to Supervisor Hahn and Chief Marrone.

“This is a recipe for disaster, and it needs to be dealt with immediately,” said Supervisor Hahn. “These explosives are sitting in the middle of a busy commercial area where people work everyday and just blocks from homes. Our fire department would remove these fireworks themselves if we had the authority to, but as it stands, we need the EPA to act and we need them to act quickly.”

The letter sent today urgently requests the US EPA to expedite all necessary arrangements to ensure the removal of the fireworks and hand sanitizer as soon as possible, well in advance of the projected mid-August timeframe. In the meantime, the warehouse is under 24/7 surveillance and fire watch.

Read the full letter from Supervisor Hahn and Chief Marrone here.

Amid ICE Raids, Hahn Moves to Prohibit Law Enforcement from Concealing Identities 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Amid ICE Raids, Hahn Moves to Prohibit Law Enforcement from Concealing Identities

Photo credit: Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, CA — In response to growing public concern over masked ICE agents, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn introduced a motion today to prohibit law enforcement officers from concealing their identities while on duty in unincorporated areas of the County.

“Across the county, people are being pulled out of their cars, beaten, and ripped from their families by men in tactical gear with balaclavas, no badges, and no names,” said Supervisor Hahn. “That’s not how law enforcement in a democracy should operate. Residents have a right to know who is stopping them, questioning them, and detaining them.”

Since the ICE raids began in early June, residents across LA County have reported disturbing encounters with plainclothes or masked agents — many refusing to identify themselves or display any form of official credentials. These incidents have sparked fear and confusion over potential impersonation and abuse.

Supervisor Hahn’s motion calls for the creation of a County ordinance that would:

  1. Prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks or personal disguises while interacting with the public in the course of their duties in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County — with limited exceptions such as for medical protection, fire/smoke safety, or undercover operations.
  2. Require all law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to visibly display identification and agency affiliation while performing their duties in public spaces within the unincorporated County.

The Board of Supervisors will consider the motion at their next board meeting on July 29, and if passed, County Counsel will be directed to return within 60 days with draft ordinance language.

Read Hahn’s proposed motion here.

Supervisors Approve $14.4 million for Huntington Park Library Refurbishment 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Approve $14.4 million for Huntington Park Library Refurbishment

This will be the fifth library refurbishment in the Southeast LA area

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $14.4 million refurbishment project for the Huntington Park Library, a branch of the Los Angeles County Public Library that serves about 70,000 residents in the City of Huntington Park and the unincorporated community of Walnut Park. Of the $14.4 million approved budget, $13.3 million will go to the refurbishment led by LA County Public Works, with the remaining $1.1 million going to the LA County Library operating budget for the furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

“For decades the Huntington Park Library has been a hub of learning, of arts and culture, of preserving and sharing LA County’s indigenous heritage, and so much more. But it’s showing its age. It’s time to upgrade it and deliver the world-class library that the residents of Huntington Park and Walnut Park deserve,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Southeast Los Angeles.

The Huntington Park Library refurbishment will be the fifth in the Southeast Los Angeles area in the last few years, with the other four—Lynwood, Leland R. Weaver (South Gate), Maywood César Chávez, and Bell—already under construction.

“We’re thrilled Huntington Park Library, one of the largest libraries in 4th district, will undergo exciting renovations that will enhance our ability to serve the community with even more welcoming and innovative spaces,” said LA County Librarian and Director Dr. Skye Patrick. “This renovation is a testament to our commitment to providing top-notch resources in a space that supports curiosity and learning for all.”

The two-story Huntington Park Library, located at 6518 Miles Ave, was built in 1970. In addition to its general collection, the library houses the American Indian Resource Center, the largest public library collection in the nation of materials about and for American Indians. The project will remodel and refurbish the library, including interior upgrades to the customer service desk; adult, teen, and children’s reading areas; community room; express-service self-checkout machines; public access computers; and Wi-Fi internet access.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in November and be completed by late 2026.

Supervisors Move Forward on Effort to Preserve LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotline Services Locally After Federal Funding Cuts 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Move Forward on Effort to Preserve LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotline Services Locally After Federal Funding Cuts

Trump administration cuts to call routing to LGBTQ+-specific counseling expected by this Thursday

The Progress Pride flag flies over the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration on June 3, 2025.

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors moved forward on an effort to explore the impact of federal funding cuts to the option that routes calls made to the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (9-8-8) to LGBTQ+ counseling, and to explore how Los Angeles County could preserve that specialized routing for LGBTQ+ callers. The Board unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey P. Horvath which Hahn brought forward late last month days after the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) confirmed its intent to slash the funding by this Thursday, July 17.

“The LGBTQ+ community, and LGBTQ+ young people especially, are less safe and more vulnerable thanks to the cruelty of the Trump administration. Last month we raised the Pride flag across LA County. This month we’re stepping up to defend the lifesaving crisis services that many in this community depend on,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “The federal government may be turning its back on LGBTQ+ people, but here in LA County we’ll do everything within our power to keep this community safe.”

Currently, callers can press 3 after dialing 9-8-8 to get routed to a call line operated by the Trevor Project, which receives the calls and then provides over-the-phone counseling specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. The service operates on a 24/7 basis.

“Every young person should know they are valued and never alone. In moments of crisis, having someone who understands their experience can make all the difference,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “The ‘Press 3’ service has offered LGBTQ+ youth a trusted space to be heard without judgement. We’re exploring every path forward to make sure that support doesn’t disappear –because showing up for our LGBTQ+ youth is more important than ever.”

Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Since the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in 2022, it has received more than 1.3 million calls from LGBTQ+ youth experiencing mental health crises.

Today’s motion directs the County CEO’s Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations team and Department of Mental Health to report back in 15 days on the impacts of the federal cuts, and directs the latter to report back in 30 days on options for continued linkage between Los Angeles County’s 9-8-8 hotline and LGBTQ+-specific counseling services.

Supervisor Hahn Encouraged by 9.5% Drop in Unsheltered Homelessness 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisor Hahn Encouraged by 9.5% Drop in Unsheltered Homelessness

Woman hugs Hahn at Pathway Home Operation in Long Beach

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement on the 2025 LA County Homeless Count which showed a 9.5% drop in unsheltered homelessness across the county.

“With thousands fewer people on our streets, these numbers are encouraging. It is clear to me our focus on bringing people inside by clearing encampments is paying off and programs like the city’s Inside Safe and the county’s Pathway Home are working. These strategies are not only compassionate, but they are also the most effective tools we have in addressing homelessness and we are seeing the impact in real time.

As the County builds out our new homeless services department, I want us to double down on these encampment operations and get more people off the streets and safely inside as quickly as humanly possible.”

Hahn Releases Statement on Partial Tunnel Collapse and Successful Evacuation of 31 Workers 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Releases Statement on Partial Tunnel Collapse and Successful Evacuation of 31 Workers

LA County Sanitation Districts will examine cause of collapse

Hahn speaks to workers evacuated from the partially collapsed tunnel in Wilmington on Wednesday night

Wilmington, CA – Last night, the partial collapse of a tunnel being bored as part of the Clearwater Project by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts temporarily trapped 27 workers, with four others later entering the tunnel to assist the trapped workers. All 31 workers were eventually safely evacuated from the tunnel. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker rushed to the scene and spoke to the rescued workers after their evacuation. Work on the project has been halted pending an investigation of the cause of the collapse.

Supervisor Hahn, who serves on boards of directors for LA County Sanitation Districts, released the following statement:

“We are blessed that all of those men made it out and made it home to their families. Most people in the Harbor Area communities didn’t even realize that this tunnel was being bored beneath them, but these men go to work every night to build this critical infrastructure project for our region. I am so grateful that they are home safe tonight.

As the sanitation district we will be looking into exactly what caused this, and will do everything we can to prevent anything else like this from happening again.”

LA County to Implement Improvements to CARE Court Program for Individuals with Untreated Mental Health Disorders 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County to Implement Improvements to CARE Court Program for Individuals with Untreated Mental Health Disorders

Motion by Hahn and Barger calls for streamlined processing, seamless referral process for first responders

Los Angeles, CA – This morning, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to make improvements to the County’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment program, better known as CARE Court. Launched in Los Angeles County on December 1, 2023, CARE Court is a state-funded program that allows qualified individuals – such as a family member, spouse, roommate, emergency responder, or licensed medical or mental health professional – to petition the Court for an eligible individual with untreated schizophrenia or other associated psychotic disorders to receive treatment and services to stabilize their symptoms and continue on a path of recovery and well-being. Among other improvements, today’s motion directs the County’s Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) to develop expedited mechanisms for first responders to make seamless referrals for CARE Court, and to increase community awareness and understanding of CARE Court.

“CARE Court is a critical tool that has offered hope to families who love someone with severe untreated mental illness. But we saw the need for improvements, so we studied them and now we’re finally moving forward with them,” said Supervisor Hahn. “This opportunity to get people living with schizophrenia the care they desperately need is too valuable not to keep trying to make it the best it can be.”

L to R: LA County Director of Mental Health Dr. Lisa H. Wong; LA Superior Court then-Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner; and Supervisor Janice Hahn on November 30, 2023 announcing the launch of CARE Court.

Through a collaborative inter-agency effort between LACDMH, the Independent Defense Counsel Office (IDCO), and the Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC), LA County started its CARE program one year ahead of the state’s mandate for all 58 counties. Today’s motion also now calls for closer collaboration between those agencies to streamline processing of CARE Court cases.

“The need for a program like CARE Court is immense and we must ensure it’s meeting that need as effectively as possible,” stated Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “By evaluating what’s working and what’s not, we can make targeted improvements that enhance outcomes for individuals, families, and our communities. This is about strengthening a vital tool so it delivers the compassionate, coordinated care people deserve.”

In February, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Hahn that called on LACDMH to analyze the first year of the program. That analysis revealed that while there has been progress, particularly with getting people the help they need by establishing CARE agreements and CARE plans, there have also been challenges that needed to be addressed in order to make the program more impactful.

“NAMI GLAC is proud to represent the voice of tens of thousands of individuals and families throughout LA County affected by mental illness. NAMI GLAC was also proud to stand in support of the CARE Act and CARE Court. While CARE Court remains a critical resource to the mental health community, there is work to be done to ensure the program reaches its full potential, such as revamping protocols to make the it more inclusive for family and petitioners, addressing housing challenges, and enhancing training for first responders who can make referrals to the program. We thank Supervisors Hahn and Barger for their leadership and believe this motion directing the County to report back on improvements to CARE Court is an important step in the right direction,” said Traute Winters, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Los Angeles County (NAMI GLAC).

Supervisors Advance Strategy to Tackle Drug Use and Smuggling at County Juvenile Facilities 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Advance Strategy to Tackle Drug Use and Smuggling at County Juvenile Facilities

Motion by Hahn and Horvath calls for expanded screening, substance use treatment after string of drug-related incidents

Supervisor Hahn during today’s meeting of the LA County Board of Supervisors. 

Los Angeles, CA – Today in a 4-0 vote with one abstention, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath that directs the County’s Probation Department to implement a strategy to curb an ongoing issue with the smuggling and use of illicit drugs within the County’s juvenile detention centers, including through enhanced security screening and expanded substance use treatment. Today’s emergency motion comes after a string of drug-related incidents, most recently an incident at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey last Wednesday in which several youth and staff were hospitalized after suspected exposure to toxic drugs.

“Youth in Los Padrinos aren’t even allowed to hug their moms out of fear of drugs or contraband being passed, yet drugs keep getting in. We are failing our youth, we are failing our employees, and every day, we risk losing another life to substance use,” said Supervisor Hahn, whose district includes Los Padrinos. “I cannot sit by and do nothing to prevent drugs from coming into these juvenile facilities – if it will save lives, then I believe it is worth every effort.”

The Probation Department must now enhance its screening practices, including installing airport-style body scanners and strengthening the use of canines to detect drugs. Additionally, the motion calls for it work with the Department of Public Health’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (DPH-SAPC) to expand treatment for youth with active substance use disorders.

“It is unacceptable that young people in our County’s care are being exposed to dangerous drugs—sometimes with deadly consequences,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “The recent incidents at Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf are a sobering reminder that, despite progress, contraband is still infiltrating our facilities and putting youth, staff, and service providers in harm’s way. This motion advances our work to strengthen security, overhaul accountability, and ensure every young person in our care has access to evidence-based treatment and a safe, supportive environment to heal and grow.”

Last week’s suspected overdose and exposure at Los Padrinos was the latest in a string of incidents. In June, the Probation Department announced arrests in two separate incidents of suspected smuggling, first on June 10 of a Deputy Probation Officer accused of smuggling alprazolam into Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, and then on June 30 of an employee of a contracted provider for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 170 white pills into Los Padrinos. Today’s motion also directs the Probation Department to cancel the contract with that contracted provider, Student Nest.