Enrolled  September 04, 2024
Passed  IN  Senate  August 30, 2024
Passed  IN  Assembly  August 28, 2024
Amended  IN  Assembly  June 17, 2024
Amended  IN  Senate  April 25, 2024
Amended  IN  Senate  April 11, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 1471

Introduced by Senator Stern
(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Becker, Cortese, Grove, and Limón)

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


SB 1471, 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 an employee at a public school to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance. The bill would prohibit 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.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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 today’s hectic society, too many citizens are unable to experience even a quiet moment of 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.
(b) Therefore, the Legislature finds all of the following:
(1) In a public school classroom, a teacher may wish to conduct a brief period of quiet reflection 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) Pursuant to state and federal law, the silent reflection may not be considered or be conducted with any religious content, reference, or overtone.
(3) The silent reflection should be administered with the full awareness 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 Reflection

52735.
 (a) (1) In conformity with all other state and federal law, an employee at a public school may conduct a brief period of quiet reflection, with the participation of pupils in attendance.
(2) An individual, including, but not limited to, a certificated or classified employee at a public 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.
(c) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.