California 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB1471 Amended / Bill

Filed 06/17/2024

                    Amended IN  Assembly  June 17, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 25, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 11, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1471Introduced by Senator Stern(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Becker, Cortese, Grove, and Limn)February 16, 2024An act to add Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1471, as amended, Stern. Pupil instruction: quiet reflection.Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to set broad minimum standards and guidelines for educational programs, and to encourage local districts to develop programs that will best fit the needs and interests of the pupils, pursuant to stated philosophy, goals, and objectives. Existing law requires, in each public school, that daily appropriate patriotic exercises be conducted, as specified.This bill would authorize a certificated an employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance. The bill would prohibit a certificated employee at a public school an individual from requiring a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. The bill would prohibit the governing board of a school district, a county board of education, or the governing body of a charter school from requiring a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(1) In todays hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of reflection before plunging headlong into their daily activities. reflection. Young California citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.(2) The wellness of society as a whole could be enhanced if pupils in the public schools were afforded a quiet moment of reflection at the beginning of each school day. reflection.(b) Therefore, the Legislature recommends finds all of the following:(1) At the opening of school every day in each In a public school classroom, the a teacher may consider conducting wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds in the morning before engaging in activities of the schoolday, or at other times during the day, with the participation of pupils assembled in the classroom who choose to participate.(2) The Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious reference or overtone, but be considered an opportunity to think about the anticipated activities of the day. content, reference, or overtone.(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness and participation of the families of the California public school pupils.SEC. 2. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) is added to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

 Amended IN  Assembly  June 17, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 25, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 11, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1471Introduced by Senator Stern(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Becker, Cortese, Grove, and Limn)February 16, 2024An act to add Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1471, as amended, Stern. Pupil instruction: quiet reflection.Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to set broad minimum standards and guidelines for educational programs, and to encourage local districts to develop programs that will best fit the needs and interests of the pupils, pursuant to stated philosophy, goals, and objectives. Existing law requires, in each public school, that daily appropriate patriotic exercises be conducted, as specified.This bill would authorize a certificated an employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance. The bill would prohibit a certificated employee at a public school an individual from requiring a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. The bill would prohibit the governing board of a school district, a county board of education, or the governing body of a charter school from requiring a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO 

 Amended IN  Assembly  June 17, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 25, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 11, 2024

Amended IN  Assembly  June 17, 2024
Amended IN  Senate  April 25, 2024
Amended IN  Senate  April 11, 2024

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION

 Senate Bill 

No. 1471

Introduced by Senator Stern(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Becker, Cortese, Grove, and Limn)February 16, 2024

Introduced by Senator Stern(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Becker, Cortese, Grove, and Limn)
February 16, 2024

An act to add Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 1471, as amended, Stern. Pupil instruction: quiet reflection.

Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to set broad minimum standards and guidelines for educational programs, and to encourage local districts to develop programs that will best fit the needs and interests of the pupils, pursuant to stated philosophy, goals, and objectives. Existing law requires, in each public school, that daily appropriate patriotic exercises be conducted, as specified.This bill would authorize a certificated an employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance. The bill would prohibit a certificated employee at a public school an individual from requiring a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. The bill would prohibit the governing board of a school district, a county board of education, or the governing body of a charter school from requiring a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to these provisions.

Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to set broad minimum standards and guidelines for educational programs, and to encourage local districts to develop programs that will best fit the needs and interests of the pupils, pursuant to stated philosophy, goals, and objectives. Existing law requires, in each public school, that daily appropriate patriotic exercises be conducted, as specified.

This bill would authorize a certificated an employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance. The bill would prohibit a certificated employee at a public school an individual from requiring a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. The bill would prohibit the governing board of a school district, a county board of education, or the governing body of a charter school from requiring a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to these provisions.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(1) In todays hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of reflection before plunging headlong into their daily activities. reflection. Young California citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.(2) The wellness of society as a whole could be enhanced if pupils in the public schools were afforded a quiet moment of reflection at the beginning of each school day. reflection.(b) Therefore, the Legislature recommends finds all of the following:(1) At the opening of school every day in each In a public school classroom, the a teacher may consider conducting wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds in the morning before engaging in activities of the schoolday, or at other times during the day, with the participation of pupils assembled in the classroom who choose to participate.(2) The Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious reference or overtone, but be considered an opportunity to think about the anticipated activities of the day. content, reference, or overtone.(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness and participation of the families of the California public school pupils.SEC. 2. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) is added to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

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

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

SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(1) In todays hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of reflection before plunging headlong into their daily activities. reflection. Young California citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.(2) The wellness of society as a whole could be enhanced if pupils in the public schools were afforded a quiet moment of reflection at the beginning of each school day. reflection.(b) Therefore, the Legislature recommends finds all of the following:(1) At the opening of school every day in each In a public school classroom, the a teacher may consider conducting wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds in the morning before engaging in activities of the schoolday, or at other times during the day, with the participation of pupils assembled in the classroom who choose to participate.(2) The Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious reference or overtone, but be considered an opportunity to think about the anticipated activities of the day. content, reference, or overtone.(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness and participation of the families of the California public school pupils.

SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(1) In todays hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of reflection before plunging headlong into their daily activities. reflection. Young California citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.(2) The wellness of society as a whole could be enhanced if pupils in the public schools were afforded a quiet moment of reflection at the beginning of each school day. reflection.(b) Therefore, the Legislature recommends finds all of the following:(1) At the opening of school every day in each In a public school classroom, the a teacher may consider conducting wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds in the morning before engaging in activities of the schoolday, or at other times during the day, with the participation of pupils assembled in the classroom who choose to participate.(2) The Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious reference or overtone, but be considered an opportunity to think about the anticipated activities of the day. content, reference, or overtone.(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness and participation of the families of the California public school pupils.

SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:

### SECTION 1.

(1) In todays hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of reflection before plunging headlong into their daily activities. reflection. Young California citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.

(2) The wellness of society as a whole could be enhanced if pupils in the public schools were afforded a quiet moment of reflection at the beginning of each school day. reflection.

(b) Therefore, the Legislature recommends finds all of the following:

(1) At the opening of school every day in each In a public school classroom, the a teacher may consider conducting wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds in the morning before engaging in activities of the schoolday, or at other times during the day, with the participation of pupils assembled in the classroom who choose to participate.

(2) The Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious reference or overtone, but be considered an opportunity to think about the anticipated activities of the day. content, reference, or overtone.

(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness and participation of the families of the California public school pupils.

SEC. 2. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) is added to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

SEC. 2. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 52735) is added to Chapter 11 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:

### SEC. 2.

 Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

 Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.

 Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection

 Article 2.5. Quiet Reflection

52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.



52735. (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, a certificated an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance, for not more than 60 seconds at the beginning of each schoolday. attendance.

(2) A An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public school school, a guest speaker, or a contractor of a local educational agency, shall not require a pupil to participate in a period of quiet reflection. A pupil shall retain full discretion regarding participation in a brief period of quiet reflection.

(3) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall not require a certificated or classified employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection.

(b) A brief period of quiet reflection authorized by this section shall not be conducted as or construed to be a religious service or exercise, but rather as an opportunity for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. exercise.

(c) For purposes of this section, local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.