
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