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SB-471 California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009.(2009-2010)

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SB471:v90#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 471
CHAPTER 185

An act to add Article 13 (commencing with Section 33475) to Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to education.

[ Approved by Governor  October 11, 2009. Filed with Secretary of State  October 11, 2009. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 471, Romero. California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009.
The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, an initiative measure approved by the voters at the November 2, 2004, general election (Proposition 71), establishes the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the purpose of which is, among other things, to make grants and loans for stem cell research, for research facilities, and for other vital research opportunities to realize therapies, protocols, and medical procedures that will result in the cure for, or substantial mitigation of, diseases and injuries.
This bill would create the California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009 to establish stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development as a state priority and to promote stronger links among industry sectors, the CIRM, and California public schools.
The bill would require the State Department of Education to post certain information on its Internet Web site, including the CIRM model curriculum on stem cell science, and to communicate to science teachers and school districts the availability of this curriculum.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) If California is to retain its premier position in stem cell research and fully realize the medical and economic benefits of regenerative medicine, stronger links are needed between California public schools and this emerging industry.
(b) At the November 2004 statewide general election, California voters approved Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, which authorizes $3 billion in state bond funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions and added Article XXXV to the California Constitution and Sections 125290.10 et seq. to the Health and Safety Code.
(c) Proposition 71 established a new state agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research and research facilities.
(d) The ballot pamphlet information and findings and declarations of Proposition 71 described how stem cell research will lead to the development of life-saving regenerative treatments and cures for a variety of incurable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease; and also benefit the California economy by creating projects, jobs, and therapies that will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenues in our state and advance the biotech industry in California to world leadership as an economic engine for California’s future.
(e) The public funding of stem cell research, combined with significant private donations, has made California the national leader in stem cell research.
(f) After President Bush limited federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in 2001, most states eliminated or significantly reduced stem cell research.
(g) On March 9, 2009, President Obama issued an executive order lifting restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research, leading other states to move quickly to try to catch up to California.
(h) Several recent reports have predicted that California will soon face a dramatic shortage of trained professionals to fill jobs in the life sciences sector and a more widespread shortage of college educated and technically trained workers to meet industry demands.
(i) California’s growing gap between supply and demand for college-educated and technically trained workers is exacerbated by an alarming high school dropout rate.
(j) Education must be the cornerstone of California’s economic development strategy, and education that is closely linked to the needs of emerging industries is critical.
(k) The biotechnology industry, in response to an ongoing shortage of appropriately educated and trained graduates to meet its workforce requirements, has invested tens of millions of dollars developing and implementing science and math education programs in California. A biotechnology organization is releasing a comprehensive directory of these programs as a resource for other schools to implement similar programs.

SEC. 2.

 Article 13 (commencing with Section 33475) is added to Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:
Article  13. The California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009

33475.
 This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009.

33475.1.
 The purpose of this article is to establish stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development as a state priority and to promote stronger links among these industry sectors, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and California public schools.

33475.2.
 For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “CIRM” means the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
(b) “Department” means the State Department of Education.

33475.3.
 The department, in consultation with the CIRM and representatives of the biotechnology industry, shall promote stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development in the department’s existing programs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) The California Health Science Educators Institute.
(b) The Health Science Capacity Building Project.
(c) The California Partnership Academies, pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 54690) of Chapter 9 of Part 29 of Division 4.
(d) The regional science resource centers, pursuant to Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 44770) of Part 25 of Division 3.
(e) The California Career Resource Network, including the State Agency Partners Committee.
(f) Multiple pathway programs pursuant to Section 52372.5.
(g) The K-12 High Speed Network, pursuant to Section 11800, including its academic content platform.

33475.4.
 The department shall post on its Internet Web site, and as appropriate, on the Internet Web site created pursuant to Section 52499.66, information and links to information about the following:
(a) Biotechnology education programs, including, but not limited to, those identified by the biotech industry and industry-related organizations.
(b) The CIRM education initiatives and related stem cell education and workforce development programs.

33475.5.
 The department shall post on its Internet Web site links to the CIRM model curriculum on stem cell science and communicate to science teachers and school districts the availability of this curriculum.