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These 19 new laws affect public schools in California

School bus
File photo, school bus.

Sentinel staff report–
New laws affecting public schools in California for 2018 include an expanded ban on firearms, several immigration-related protections, additional required topics for sex ed courses, the formal elimination of the high school exit exam, and free meals required at high-poverty schools.

The following list of 19 laws was included in the San Juan Unified School District’s board agenda from Jan. 9, where board members heard a legislative and legal update for 2018. (See board packet)

Health/Safety
• AB 424 – Expands Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995 to ban all school employees from possessing firearms within a school zone.
• AB 10 – Schools must provide feminine hygiene products in school restrooms in grades 6-12.
• AB 746 – Requires water testing for lead in facilities built prior to 2010.

Educational
• AB 830 – Formally eliminates the high school exit exam.
• AB 643 – Adds material on sexual abuse, human trafficking, and youth domestic violence to comprehensive sex education classes in grades 7-12.
• AB 667 – Mandates informing students of corrective methods used prior to suspending.

Financial
• AB 99 – Imposes audit and reporting requirements on state facility program recipients.
• AB 111 – Raises rates for the Division of State Architect to review projects.
• AB 341 – Allows public funds to be used for out-of-state field trips.

Meal Program
• SB 138 – Requires free meals be provided to all students at very high poverty schools.
• SB 250 – Prohibits denial of meals to children with unpaid meal fees.
• SB 557 – Allows creation of “sharing tables” where specific food can be returned to be shared with other students or donated to community organizations.

Immigration
• AB 699 – Prohibits discrimination based on “immigration status” in public schools.
• SB 54 – Prohibits use of local law enforcement resources for immigration enforcement.
• SB 257 – Allows students living in California prior to a parent’s forced departure to meet school residency requirements.

Hiring Practices/ Human Resources
• AB 1008 – Limits public agencies from considering past convictions in hiring (school districts are mostly exempt).
• AB 168 – Prohibits use of employment applicant salary information.
• AB 500 – Mandates disclosure of policies regarding employee interactions with pupils
• AB 670 – Adds part-time playground positions as part of classified staff

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