Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 453Introduced by Assembly Member MuratsuchiFebruary 06, 2025An act to add Section 32282.3 to the Education Code, relating to pupil safety. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 453, as amended, Muratsuchi. Pupil safety: comprehensive school safety plans.Under existing law, each school district and county office of education is responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in cooperation with certain local entities. Existing law requires that the plan include identification of appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety.This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to, on or before July 1, 2026, convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup, as provided, to review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan, as provided. The bill would require the Superintendent to, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Department of Education to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, as provided, with nongovernmental entities to implement these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 453Introduced by Assembly Member MuratsuchiFebruary 06, 2025An act to add Section 32282.3 to the Education Code, relating to pupil safety. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 453, as amended, Muratsuchi. Pupil safety: comprehensive school safety plans.Under existing law, each school district and county office of education is responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in cooperation with certain local entities. Existing law requires that the plan include identification of appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety.This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to, on or before July 1, 2026, convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup, as provided, to review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan, as provided. The bill would require the Superintendent to, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Department of Education to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, as provided, with nongovernmental entities to implement these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025
Amended IN Assembly April 21, 2025
Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 453
Introduced by Assembly Member MuratsuchiFebruary 06, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Muratsuchi
February 06, 2025
An act to add Section 32282.3 to the Education Code, relating to pupil safety.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 453, as amended, Muratsuchi. Pupil safety: comprehensive school safety plans.
Under existing law, each school district and county office of education is responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in cooperation with certain local entities. Existing law requires that the plan include identification of appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety.This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to, on or before July 1, 2026, convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup, as provided, to review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan, as provided. The bill would require the Superintendent to, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Department of Education to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, as provided, with nongovernmental entities to implement these provisions.
Under existing law, each school district and county office of education is responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in cooperation with certain local entities. Existing law requires that the plan include identification of appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety.
This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to, on or before July 1, 2026, convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup, as provided, to review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan, as provided. The bill would require the Superintendent to, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Department of Education to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, as provided, with nongovernmental entities to implement these provisions.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 32282.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
SECTION 1. Section 32282.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1)(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.(2)(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.(3)(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.(4)(D) One representative of a parent organization.(5)(E) One current high school pupil.(6)(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(7)(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.(8)(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.(9)One representative of a school district(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.
32282.3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
###### 32282.3.
(1) The California Constitution guarantees California children the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful.
(2) The state, school districts, county offices of education, and schools, and their personnel, are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families also play essential roles.
(3) Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made hazards, and strive to prevent violence and behaviors that undermine safety and security.
(4) Comprehensive school safety plans include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential crime and violence on a school campus and strategies aimed at ensuring social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.
(5) Since 2002, a school has been required to adopt and, on or before March 1 of each year, update the schools comprehensive school safety plan.
(6) Schools have been increasingly affected by safety issues that were not addressed when safety plans were first adopted, such as increased incidences of active school shooters, the opioid crisis, and wildfires and other natural disasters.
(7) The Legislature has responded to emerging safety issues by requiring schools to be prepared to respond. These new requirements, while critical, have been imposed without a formal review of the best way to ensure comprehensive school safety plans retain their focus.
(8) Following the addition of these new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan over the last few years, there is a need to have experts review all the requirements for comprehensive school safety plans, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining all critical elements.
(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall, on or before July 1, 2026, appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)
(A) Two current schoolsite administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions. administrators.
(2)
(B) Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions. teachers.
(3)
(C) Two representatives of a local school employee organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools. organization.
(4)
(D) One representative of a parent organization.
(5)
(E) One current high school pupil.
(6)
(F) Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.
(7)
(G) Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community. agencies.
(8)
(H) One member of a school district central office local educational agency with specific expertise in school safety.
(9)One representative of a school district
(I) Two representatives of school districts holding a pupil personnel services credential. credential or a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse.
(2) The Superintendent shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure both of the following:
(A) The educators in the workgroup include those employed in both elementary and secondary schools, and that at least one educator has experience in working with pupils with exceptional needs.
(B) The overall composition of the workgroup represents the geographic diversity of the state and has a balance of educators and first responders from both urban and rural areas.
(c) The workgroup may consult with outside experts in school safety issues. The workgroup shall review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval process for and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan. This review shall include all of the following:
(1) Defining the goals and purposes of a comprehensive school safety plan.
(2) Reviewing the required elements of a plan and assessing the elements alignment with the goals and purposes of a plan.
(3) Reviewing the development and adoption process of a plan, including the process for future updates to a plan.
(4) Making recommendations for all of the following:
(A) Improvements to the structure, organization, and layout of a plan to ensure it captures critical elements and is accessible and useful for schoolsite staff and the community, including parents and law enforcement.
(B) Improvements to the local development and approval process to ensure that it is transparent and includes sufficient opportunity for input from stakeholders.
(C) Procedures for the addition or deletion of elements of a plan to ensure continued cohesion and accessibility.
(d) The Superintendent shall, on or before July 1, 2027, submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.
(e) The meetings of the workgroup shall be open to the public pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(f) For purposes of this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts with nongovernmental entities on a bid or negotiated basis. A contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.
(g) Notwithstanding any other law, a contracted nongovernmental entity described in subdivision (f) may subcontract as necessary in the performance of its duties, subject to approval of the Superintendent.