On Sept. 25, the Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1078 (Jackson, D-Moreno Valley), which took effect immediately upon signing and will allow for complaints to be filed against local educational agencies that limit or prohibit the use of inclusive textbooks, instructional materials or school library materials in violation of the California FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education) Act. It also provides for immediate state intervention by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), including the assessment of financial penalties upon school districts that do not provide sufficient textbooks or instructional materials to its students. Read more about AB 1078 and CSBA’s position here.
Other key bills signed in recent days include several measures related to LGBTQ students:
- AB 5 (Zbur, D-Hollywood): Requires the California Department of Education to complete the development of an online training curriculum on cultural competency in supporting LGBTQ students and online delivery platform by July 1, 2025, and requires LEAs to provide and require at least one hour of training annually to all certificated staff, beginning with the 2025–26 school year through the 2029–30 school year. CSBA Position: Tracking
- Senate Bill 760 (Newman, D-Fullerton): Requires LEAs, including county offices of education and charter schools maintaining any combination of classes from kindergarten to grade 12, to provide at least one all-gender restroom for pupil use at each of its schoolsites on or before July 1, 2026. The all-gender restroom must meet certain requirements, including having signage identifying the bathroom as open to all genders and being unlocked, unobstructed and easily accessible by any pupil. CSBA Position: Tracking
- SB 857 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz): Requires the SSPI to convene an advisory task force to identify the statewide needs of LGBTQ pupils on or before July 1, 2024, and report its findings to the Legislature, the SSPI and Governor by Jan. 1, 2026. CSBA Position: Support if Amended
The Governor has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto all remaining legislation, including CSBA’s package of sponsored bills. CSBA will continue to keep members informed on major decisions in the weeks ahead.
