AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 17, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
98
Introduced by Assembly Member Macedo
February 20, 2025
An act to amend Section 234 of add Section 234.55 to the Education Code, relating to school pupil safety.
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal committee: yes Local program: yes
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
The Safe Place to Learn Act declares that it is the policy of the State of California to improve pupil safety at schools and the connections between pupils and supportive adults, schools, and communities. Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to post, and annually update, on the State Department of Education’s internet website, and notify school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools of the availability of, a list of statewide resources that provide support to youth, and their families, who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
This bill wouldThe California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 234.55 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 234.5, to read:
234.55.
(a) By July 1, 2026, the Superintendent shall develop and post on the department’s internet website guidance and a list of statewide resources for the purpose of preventing teen dating violence.
(b) By January 1, 2027, each county office of education, school district, and charter school maintaining any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive, shall post the guidance and list of statewide resources developed pursuant to subdivision (a) on their respective internet website.
SEC. 2.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Section 234 of the Education Code is amended to read:
234.
(a) This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the Safe Place to Learn Act.
(b) It is the policy of the State of California to ensure that all local educational agencies continue to work to reduce discrimination, harassment, violence, intimidation, and bullying. It is further the policy of the state to improve pupil safety at schools and improve the connections between pupils and supportive adults, schools, and communities.