SB 1221

SAN FRANCISCO A Christian legal group has filed a lawsuit to overturn a first-of-its-kind California law that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from practicing therapies aimed at making gay and lesbian teenagers straight.

The California-based Pacific Justice Institute challenged the law signed Saturday by Gov. Jerry Brown. The lawsuit was filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento.

California bans "gay cure" therapy.

Two animal-related bills sponsored by state Sen. Ted Lieu , D-Torrance, were signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

SB 1500 aims to fix a loophole in state law so that neglected or injured animals will no longer be returned to abusive owners, a Lieu statement said. It goes into effect on Jan. 1.

"This is a comprehensive approach to address the issues of crowding in shelters, ensure the protection of prosecutor's evidence and protect animals from being returned to their abusive owners," he said.

Advocates for animal welfare came out ahead of California hunters Wednesday when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a hard-fought bill banning the use of dogs for hunting bears and bobcats.

Both sides had lobbied lawmakers and the governor tirelessly over SB1221 by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), which will take effect Jan. 1. While there are exceptions for aggressive animals and research, the bill makes it illegal in most cases to use packs of dogs to chase bears and bobcats into trees, where hunters shoot them.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Hunters in California can no longer use dogs to hunt bears and bobcats under one of several bills signed by Gov. Jerry Brown that relate to the state Department of Fish and Game.

Another bill Brown announced signing Wednesday changes the composition of the Fish and Game Commission in the wake of a controversy over the former commission president's killing of a mountain lion in Idaho.

Hunters in California will no longer be allowed to use dogs to hunt bears and bobcats under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown in response to complaints the practice is cruel and unsporting.

Brown approved the ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, after heavy lobbying by groups including the Humane Society of the United States and a coalition of celebrities including Doris Day, Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Maher.