AB 453: Pupil safety: comprehensive school safety plans.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2025-04-21
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-02: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to form a statewide stakeholder workgroup to review K–12 comprehensive school safety plans and recommend what should be included and how plans should be developed and approved. The workgroup must include educators, a student, parents, local police and fire, and school health and safety experts, may consult outside experts, and the Department of Education may hire outside contractors to help.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
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.
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.
(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.
(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)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 include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)One Two current schoolsite administrator. administrators, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary administrative positions.
(2)Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions.
(3)One representative Two representatives of a local school employee organization. organization, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary schools.
(4)One representative of a parent organization.
(5)One current high school pupil.
(6)Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community.
(7)Two legislative staff members, one each currently serving in the Assembly and Senate.(8)Any other interested members of the public who have expertise in school safety.(7)Two representatives of local fire agencies, one of whom is from a rural community.
(8)One member of a school district central office with expertise in school safety.
(9)One representative of a school district holding a pupil personnel services credential.
(c)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.
(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)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 all of the following:
(1)One current schoolsite administrator.
(2)Two certificated public school teachers, one each currently serving in elementary and secondary teaching positions.
(3)One representative of a local school employee organization.
(4)One representative of a parent organization.
(5)One current high school pupil.
(6)Two representatives of local law enforcement agencies, one of whom is from a rural community.
(7)Two legislative staff members, one each currently serving in the Assembly and Senate.
(8)Any other interested members of the public who have expertise in school safety.
(c)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.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Feb 2, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May 7, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 22, 2025 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 21, 2025 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 10, 2025 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 9). |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 24, 2025 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 18, 2025 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 7, 2025 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 9. |
| Feb 6, 2025 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2025 | Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| Association Of California School Administrators | ** Support | |
| California Association of School Police Chiefs | ** Support | |
| California Coalition of School Safety Professionals | ** Support | |
| California School Nurses Organization | ** Support | |
| California State PTA | ** Support | |
| CFT- a Union of Educators & Classified Professionals | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles School Police Management Association | ** Support | |
| los angeles school police officers association | ** Support | |
| RIVERSIDE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION | ** Support | |
| Riverside Sheriffs' Association | ** Support | |
| United Administrators of Southern California | ** Support |
Date of Hearing: May 7, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 453
Author:(Muratsuchi) – As Amended Ver:April 21, 2025
Policy Committee: | Education | Vote: | 9 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), on or before July 1, 2026, to appoint and convene a statewide stakeholder workgroup on school safety to review existing requirements of comprehensive school safety plans and submit a report on the recommendations of the workgroup to the Department of Finance and the Legislature on or before July 1, 2027.
Specifically, this bill requires the SSPI appoint and convene a workgroup, in consultation with the State Board of Education (SBE), on school safety. The workgroup must include specified participants, such as schoolsite administrators, public school teachers, representatives from a local school employee organization, and representatives from local law enforcement and local fire agencies. The bill requires the workgroup review existing comprehensive school safety plans and make recommendations on the development and approval processes and the required elements of a comprehensive school safety plan.
FISCAL EFFECT:
One-time General Fund costs likely in the tens of thousands of dollars to the California Department of Education to convene the workgroup and complete the required report and recommendations.
Regardless of cost, consistent with Appropriations Committee rules and practice, this bill is eligible for placement on the suspense file because it has the primary purpose of creating a report.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
Schools are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure for students, staff, and visitors. 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. Following the addition of multiple new requirements for a comprehensive school safety plan in recent years, there is a need to have experts review the requirements, conduct a thorough assessment, and make recommendations on how to improve and update the plans while maintaining those elements critical to school safety.
- Background. School Safety Plans. Comprehensive school safety plans are a key component of school safety required by state law. A safety plans is a collection of procedures for schools to use in the event of an emergency, as well as policies to promote a safe learning environment. Each school district and county office of education (COE) is responsible for the overall development of all safety plans for its schools that operate kindergarten or any grades 1 through 12. Upon establishment of its charter, a charter school’s petition must include the development of a school safety plan which largely mirrors the requirements for the school district and COE plans. Typically, a schoolsite council or a safety committee at each school develops the comprehensive school safety plan.
California State Auditor Audit Findings. The California State Auditor released a report on School Violence Prevention in 2016 finding that many safety plans it examined failed to comply with state law, including plans that were missing required procedures meant to protect students and staff. The audit also found that school districts and COEs had failed to ensure that schools are complying with safety plan requirements. This suggests that schools some would have insufficient or nonexistent safety plans and therefore, likely to face inadequate emergency responses. The audit also pointed to deficiencies at the state level, suggesting that statewide guidance and oversight was inadequate to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.
Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Heredia / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):