AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 23, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

96

CHAPTER 120

Statutes of 2026

[ Approved by Governor August 22, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State August 22, 2026. ]

Introduced by Senator Strickland

February 17, 2026

An act to add Section 33546.7 to the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law requires the adopted courses of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, and 7 to 12, inclusive, to offer instruction and courses in certain areas of study, including, among others, physical education, with emphasis on activities that may be conducive to health and vigor of body and mind.

Existing law establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, develop, and the State Board of Education to adopt, modify, or revise, model curriculum frameworks, as specified. Existing law requires, when the Health Education Framework for California Public Schools is next revised on or after January 1, 2025, the commission to consider including information on evidence-based schoolwide programs to support pupils in developing skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation.

This bill, the Ready to Learn, Ready for Health Act, would require, when the Health Education Framework for California Public Schools is next revised on or after January 1, 2027, the commission to consider including information on evidence-based preventative health instruction, including information on nutrition, food literacy, sleep, movement, stress management, and digital balance in an integrated manner that discusses these key health factors and the interrelationship and balance between them, as provided.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Ready to Learn, Ready for Health Act.

SEC. 2.

Section 33546.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:

33546.7.

When the “Health Education Framework for California Public Schools” (health framework) is next revised, on or after January 1, 2027, the commission shall consider including information on evidence-based preventative health instruction, including information on nutrition, food literacy, sleep, movement, stress management, and digital balance in an integrated manner that discusses these key health factors and the interrelationship and balance between them. The information to be considered for inclusion shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following topics:

(a) How nutrition affects metabolism, inflammation, and long-term disease risk.

(b) The role of exercise and physical activity in physical and mental health.

(c) How stress and sleep influence hormones, weight, immunity, and cognition.

(d) The impacts and responsible use of social media, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms.

(e) How environmental factors such as air quality, water quality, and food environments impact health.

(f) How daily choices influence the body and mental health.