(a)It is the intent of the Legislature that school districts, schools operated by county offices of education, charter schools, private schools, and state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the department be safe and nurturing places for pupils that are free of fear and threats of violence and free of violent crimes and sexual offenses committed by, or intended to be committed by, other pupils, school employees, volunteers, and contractors.
(b)On or before July 1, 2026, each governing board of a school district, county board of education, and governing body of a charter school or private school, and the department, for purposes of state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the department, shall do both of the
following:
(1)Adopt written policies that
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(a)
It is the intent of the Legislature that school districts, schools operated by county offices of education, charter schools, private schools, and state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the department be safe and nurturing places for pupils that are free of fear and threats of violence and free of violent crimes and sexual offenses committed by, or intended to be committed by, other pupils, school employees, volunteers, and contractors.
(b)
On or before July 1, 2026, each governing board of a school district, county board of education, and governing body of a charter school or private school, and the department, for purposes of state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the department, shall do both of the
following:
(1)
Adopt written policies that promote safe environments for pupil learning and engagement, consistent with the legislative intent specified in subdivision (a), and that do both of the following:
(A)
Explicitly address professional boundaries (i) between pupils and school employees, adult volunteers, and school contractors, (ii) among and between pupils, and (iii) among and between adults employed, volunteering, or under contract.
(B)
Establish appropriate limits on contact during or outside of the schoolday between pupils and school employees, volunteers, and school contractors via social media internet platforms, text messaging, and other forms of communication that do not otherwise include the pupil’s parent or guardian. The policies may vary the limitations based on the age or grade of the pupil.
(2)
Adopt written policies, plans, or specifications regarding school facilities, and the furnishing of school facilities, that address classroom and nonclassroom environments to promote safe environments for learning and engagement that are easily supervised.
(c)
School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are encouraged to work with their public entity risk pool joint powers authority or insurance provider to identify and adopt best practices known to prevent violent crimes, injury, sex offenses, and egregious misconduct.
(d)
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(1)
“Sex offense” has the same meaning as defined in Section 44010.
(2)
“Small
school district” means a school district that has fewer than 2,501 units of average daily attendance at the beginning of each fiscal year.
(3)
“Violent crime” has the same meaning as defined in Section 32281.