Bill Text: CA SB1248 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-27 - Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [SB1248 Detail]
Download: California-2023-SB1248-Amended.html
the California Health and Human Services Agency and other relevant stakeholders and experts, shall establish, and post on the department’s internet website, standardized guidelines specifying temperature thresholds or index ratings that trigger modifications to pupil physical activities during extreme weather conditions. The standardized guidelines shall consider relevant factors, including, but not limited to, pupil ages, harmful duration of exposure to extreme weather conditions, overall pupil safety, and available mitigation measures.
Bill Title: Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-27 - Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [SB1248 Detail]
Download: California-2023-SB1248-Amended.html
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Amended
IN
Senate
April 04, 2024 |
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Amended
IN
Senate
March 19, 2024 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 1248
| Introduced by Senator Hurtado (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Weber) |
February 15, 2024 |
An act to add Section 33355 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1248, as amended, Hurtado.
Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
Existing law requires the State Department of Education to adopt rules and regulations that it deems necessary and proper to secure the establishment of courses in physical education in the elementary and secondary schools of the state.
This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2026, and in consultation with the California Health and Human Services Agency and other relevant stakeholders and experts, to establish and post on the department’s internet website, standardized guidelines specifying temperature thresholds or index ratings that trigger modifications to pupil physical activities during extreme weather conditions, and would require those standardized guidelines to consider relevant factors, including, but not limited to, pupil ages,
harmful duration of exposure to extreme weather conditions, overall pupil safety, and available mitigation measures. The bill would authorize the department, in consultation with the agency and other relevant stakeholders and experts, to use existing resources or frameworks, or both, about temperature thresholds or index ratings that trigger modifications to pupil physical activities during extreme weather conditions to meet those requirements.
The bill would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, on or before July 1, 2026, to develop, adopt, and implement a weather policy that includes protocols for extreme weather conditions, and would require the weather policy to incorporate the standardized guidelines developed by the department and to detail the specific measures to be taken during extreme weather conditions, as specified. The bill would
require that the weather policy be annually reviewed, evaluated, and updated to incorporate best practices and address any emerging concerns or challenges, and to reflect changes in weather patterns, advances in safety practices, and feedback from stakeholders. By imposing additional duties on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would, commencing July 1, 2026, require the department to identify any local educational agency that is not in compliance with the above-described provisions to provide targeted technical assistance and resources to those identified local educational agencies for the development and implementation of their respective weather policy, as specified.
The bill would make the implementation of these provisions subject to an appropriation made for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
The
California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Climate change and extreme weather pose significant risks to the health and safety of pupils participating in physical activities during extreme weather conditions.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to establish uniform guidelines and requirements for public schools in order to ensure the protection of pupils from physical activity during extreme weather conditions.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the support provided pursuant
to this act be proactive and constructive, aiming to empower schools to fulfill their obligations under the act rather than imposing punitive measures for noncompliance.
SEC. 2.
Section 33355 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 33354, to read:33355.
(a) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, the department, in consultation with(2) The department, in consultation with the California Health and Human Services Agency and other relevant stakeholders and experts, may use existing resources or frameworks, or both, about temperature thresholds or index ratings that trigger modifications to pupil physical activities during extreme weather conditions to meet the requirements of paragraph (1).
(b) (1) On or before July 1, 2026, each local educational agency shall develop, adopt, and implement a weather policy that includes
protocols for extreme weather conditions.
(2) The weather policy shall incorporate the standardized guidelines developed by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) and shall detail the specific measures to be taken during extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Clear criteria for determining when weather conditions are considered extreme weather conditions and warrant modification or cessation of outdoor physical activities.
(B) Procedures for monitoring weather forecasts and alerts to anticipate extreme weather conditions.
(C) Protocols for communicating with staff, pupils, and parents or guardians
regarding changes to outdoor activities due to extreme weather conditions.
(D) Designation of indoor alternative activities that can be safely conducted during extreme weather conditions.
(E) Training for staff members on recognizing signs of weather-related distress in pupils and appropriate response measures.
(F) Coordination with local emergency management agencies and authorities to ensure timely access to weather-related information and resources.
(3) The weather policy shall be annually reviewed, evaluated, and updated to incorporate best practices and address any emerging concerns or challenges, and to reflect changes in weather patterns,
advances in safety practices, and feedback from stakeholders.
(c) Commencing January 1, 2026, the department shall do all of the following:
(1) Identify any local educational agency that is not in compliance with this section and provide targeted technical assistance and resources to those identified local educational agencies for the development and implementation of their respective weather policy.
(2) Work collaboratively with noncompliant local educational agencies to identify specific challenges or barriers to compliance and develop customized action plans to address those issues.
(3) Regularly assess the effectiveness of the technical assistance and
supports provided to local educational agencies pursuant to this subdivision and make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure their continued relevance and impact.
(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Extreme weather conditions” means occurrences of unusually severe weather or climate
conditions, including, but not limited to, periods of extreme heat, wildfires, excessive precipitation, and floods, that may pose significant harm to pupils.
(2) “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3) “Physical activity” includes, but is not limited to, physical education classes, outdoor sports, athletic practices, and recreational activities conducted by a local educational agency.
(e) The implementation of this section is subject to an appropriation being made for purposes of this section in the annual Budget Act or another statute.
