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AB-514 The Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013.(2013-2014)

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Assembly Bill No. 514
CHAPTER 702

An act to amend Section 234.5 of the Education Code, relating to school safety.

[ Approved by Governor  October 10, 2013. Filed with Secretary of State  October 10, 2013. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 514, Bonta. The Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013.
Existing law establishes the Safe Place to Learn Act and, among other things, requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to post on his or her Internet Web site a list of statewide resources that provide support to youth who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, or bullying, and their families.
This bill, the Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013, would instead require the Superintendent to post that information on the State Department of Education’s Internet Web site, and would also require the department’s Internet Web site to include a list of statewide resources for youth who have been affected by gangs, gun violence, and psychological trauma caused by violence at home, at school, and in the community. The bill would express various findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to school safety.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 This act shall be known as the Safe Schools for Safe Learning Act of 2013.

SEC. 2.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Our children have the talent and capacity for greatness, if given the opportunity to thrive and grow in a healthy environment.
(2) Violence has become a fact of life for many children throughout the state, including living in communities with high rates of homicide.
(3) Many children suffer complications from growing up in a violent environment, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, which make it more difficult to become engaged and productive pupils at school.
(4) A school is a place not only for perfunctory instruction but also a place where children learn about humanity, family, and community, free from violence and fear.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to make safety a priority and ensure that our children are kept safe from all forms of violence, especially while children are in school. It is further the intent of the Legislature to create safe and supportive school environments where each child is able to thrive.

SEC. 3.

 Section 234.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:

234.5.
 The Superintendent shall post, and annually update, on the department’s Internet Web site and provide to each school district a list of statewide resources, including community-based organizations, that provide support to youth who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and their families. The department’s Internet Web site shall also include a list of statewide resources for youth who have been affected by gangs, gun violence, and psychological trauma caused by violence at home, at school, and in the community.