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Two New Laws Related to Student Discipline Promote Recess and Restorative Justice Practices

Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law, both of which concern how school districts impose student discipline.

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SB 760 Ensures All-Gender Restrooms Are Accessible to Students

On September 23, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 760, which requires each school district, county office of education, and charter school maintaining any combination of classes from first grade to twelfth grade, inclusive, to provide and maintain at least one all-gender restroom for student use at every school site, by no later than July 1, 2026.

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Substitute Teaching Days Extended and Paid Sick Leave Increased Under Two Recent Senate Bills

On September 13, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 141 into law, which, among other things, temporarily extends the number of days a substitute teacher can teach in any one assignment.

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Expansion of Opportunities and Incentives to Students Serving as Pupil Members of Governing Boards

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two bills into law that expand the opportunities and incentives for students to serve as pupil members of governing boards.

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California Legislature Passes "Melanie's Law" to Prevent Student Fentanyl Overdoses

In the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic,the California Legislature recently passed Melanie's Law in an effort to prevent fentanyl overdoses in California public schools.

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Student Privacy Versus Parental Involvement: Recent Developments Regarding Gender Identity & Expression in Schools

Several California school districts are facing legal challenges brought by parents and teachers to district policies favoring student privacy with respect to gender expression and identity. Other school districts are adopting parental notification policies requiring district staff to notify a student’s parents when their child requests to use a different name or pronouns than those assigned

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A Reminder that Mandatory Ethics Training for School Officials is Coming

Starting January 1, 2025, officials in school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools must complete ethics training at least once every two years.

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Starting in 2024, City, County, and Special District Temp Employees Must be Added to Bargaining Units Upon Union Request

On October 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1484 into law. AB 1484 requires public agencies subject to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), upon the request of a recognized employee organization, to automatically add temporary employees (temps) to the bargaining unit if they are hired to perform the same or similar work performed by permanent bargaining unit employees.

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New California Law Prohibits Certain Book Banning and Authorizes Financial Penalties for Failure to Provide Appropriate Instructional Materials

On September 25, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1078, which prohibits school boards from banning books because the books include diverse perspectives.

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