Bill Text: CA AB514 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: The Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-10 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 702, Statutes of 2013. [AB514 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB514-Amended.html

---

BILL NUMBER: AB 514	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 19, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonta

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act  to amend Section 234.5 of the Education Code, 
relating to school safety.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 514, as amended, Bonta.  School safety: the 
 The  Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013. 
   Existing law establishes the Safe Place to Learn Act and, among
other things, requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to
post on his or her Internet Web site a list of statewide resources
that provide support to youth who have been subjected to school-based
discrimination, harassment, or bullying, and their families. 

   This bill, the Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013, would
require the Superintendent to post on the Superintendent's Internet
Web site a list of statewide resources for youth who have been
affected by gangs, gun violence, and psychological trauma. The bill
would express various findings and declarations of the Legislature
relating to school safety.  
   Existing law establishes various laws relating to school safety
and violence prevention, and, among other things, requires each
school district and county office of education to develop a
comprehensive school safety plan for schools operating kindergarten
or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.  
   This bill would express the Legislature's intent to enact
legislation that would be known as the Safe Schools for Safe Learning
Act of 2013, which would give pupils from the 18th Assembly District
a strong voice in developing new strategies for school safety. The
bill would also express various findings and declarations of the
Legislature relating to school safety. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    This act shall be known as the Safe
Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013. 
   SECTION 1.   SEC. 2.   The Legislature
finds and declares all of the following:
   (a) Child safety should be a priority in our state, and we, as the
state Legislature, should ensure that our children are kept safe
from any form of violence, especially while children are in school.
   (b) Our children have the talent and capacity for greatness, if
given the opportunity to thrive and grow in a healthy environment.
   (c) Unfortunately, violence has become a fact of life for many
pupils in the 18th Assembly District. For example, Oakland suffered
from 131 homicides in 2012. Many children suffer complications from
growing up in a violent environment, including depression and
post-traumatic stress disorder, which makes it more difficult to
become an engaged and productive pupil at school.
   (d) Assembly Member Bonta has asked pupils to submit their
responses to the question, "What would make you feel safer at school?"
The Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013 will be based on the
winning response to that question.
   (e) We need to create safe and supportive school environments
where each child is able to thrive. A school is not just a place for
perfunctory instruction. It is also the place where a child learns
about humanity, family, and community, free from violence and fear.

  SEC. 2.   It is the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation that would be known as the Safe Schools for Safe
Learning Act of 2013, which would give pupils from the 18th Assembly
District a strong voice in developing new strategies for school
safety. 
   SEC. 3.    Section 234.5 of the   Education
Code   is amended to read: 
   234.5.  The Superintendent shall post, and annually update, on his
or her Internet Web site and provide to each school district a list
of statewide resources, including community-based organizations, that
provide support to youth who have been subjected to school-based
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and their
families  . The Superintendent's Internet Web site shall also
include a list of statewide resources for youth who have been
affected by gangs, gun violence, and psychological trauma  .