>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE HEARING OF THE ASSEMBLY
EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO ORDER.
UH, WE DO NOT HAVE A QUORUM YET,
AND SO I'LL HOLD OFF ON ESTABLISHING QUORUM.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME, UH, THE VICE CHAIR
AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO TODAY'S HEARING.
WE HAVE 20 BILLS ON FILE TODAY.
UM.
WITH THE FILE ITEM NUMBER 20, SB 1477,
UH, BEING PULLED BY THE AUTHOR.
SO IF YOU ARE HERE FOR FILE ITEM NUMBER 20,
SENATE BILL 1477, UH,
BY SENATOR ASHBY, THAT BILL HAS
BEEN PULLED BY THE AUTHOR.
THERE ARE NINE BILLS ON CONSENT.
THEY ARE SB 380, SB 445 WITH AMENDMENTS SB 480,
SB 1063 WITH AMENDMENTS SB 1091
WITH AMENDMENTS SB 1244,
SB 1248 WITH AMENDMENTS SB 1288 UH FOR THIS BILL,
AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN AGREED TO BY THE AUTHOR,
WHICH WILL THEN BE PROCESSED IN THE ASSEMBLY
PRIVACY COMMITTEE AND LAST SB 1391.
SO FOR THOSE NINE BILLS,
IF YOU'RE HERE FOR ANY OF THOSE NINE BILLS,
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE HEARD TODAY.
UM, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE VOTED ON COLLECTIVELY AS,
UH, CONSENT, UH, ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
BILLS WILL BE HEARD TODAY AND SIGNED IN ORDER,
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPECIAL ORDER,
UH, FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 1955.
AND AS A REMINDER, FOR EACH BILL,
WE WILL HAVE UP TO TWO WITNESSES IN SUPPORT,
TWO WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION,
EACH OF WHOM MAY SPEAK FOR UP TO TWO MINUTES EACH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE HEARING ROOM WILL
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STATE THEIR POSITION.
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO YOUR NAME,
AFFILIATION AND POSITION ON THE BILL ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME
TO PROVIDE COMMENT THROUGH
THE POSITION LETTER PORTAL ON
THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE'S WEBSITE.
AND, UH, WE EXPECT A LIVELY CONVERSATION TODAY.
AND SO I'D LIKE TO READ A STANDARD STATEMENT THAT
WE HAVE ABOUT DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT AT HEARINGS.
CONDUCT THAT DISRUPTS, DISTURBS,
OR OTHERWISE IMPEDES THE ORDERLY CONDUCT
OF THE HEARING IS PROHIBITED.
SUCH CONDUCT MAY INCLUDE TALKING OR MAKING
LOUD NOISES FROM THE AUDIENCE.
UTTERING LOUD, THREATENING, OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.
SPEAKING LONGER THAN THE TIME ALLOTTED.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION OF MATTERS NOT RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT OF THE BILL OR THE HEARING.
AND ANY OTHER DISRUPTIVE, DISRUPTIVE ACTS
TO ADDRESS ANY DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT.
I WILL, AS CHAIR OF THIS HEARING,
TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS.
IF AN INDIVIDUAL DISRUPTS OUR HEARING PROCESS,
I WILL DIRECT THEM TO STOP AND WARN
THEM THAT CONTINUED DISRUPTIONS MAY RESULT
IN REMOVAL FROM THE CAPITAL BUILDING.
I WILL ALSO DOCUMENT ON THE RECORD THE INDIVIDUAL
INVOLVED IN THE NATURE OF THE DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT,
AND IF THE CONDUCT DOES NOT STOP,
I WILL REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE
OF THE SERGEANTS IN THE ROOM
AND ESCORTING THE INDIVIDUAL
FROM THE CAPITOL BUILDING.
SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE
TO DO THAT BEFORE WE PROCEED.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT
WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA TODAY,
AND WE WILL NEED TO ADJOURN BY 5:00, UH,
DUE TO OUR SCHEDULED FLOOR SESSION.
AND SO I WILL APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S COOPERATION IN
MOVING THROUGH OUR AGENDA IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER.
AND SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO BEGIN
WITH OUR SPECIAL ORDER FILE,
ITEM NUMBER ONE,
ASSEMBLY BILL 1955 BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER WARD.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
WARD.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> AND.
THERE WE GO.
WELL, THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON,
CHAIR AND MEMBERS.
I'D LIKE TO FIRST START BY THANKING
THE CHAIR FOR CO-AUTHORING THIS IMPORTANT
MEASURE AND SUPPORTING LGBTQ STUDENTS,
THEIR FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS.
AND I'M PROUD HERE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT
TO YOU ASSEMBLY BILL 1955, THE SUPPORT,
ACADEMIC FUTURES AND EDUCATORS
FOR TODAY'S YOUTH ACT,
OR THE SAFETY ACT,
WHICH IS BACK IN THE ASSEMBLY ON CONCURRENCE.
THERE'S BEEN A GROWING NATIONAL ATTACK ON LGBTQ
PEOPLE WITH POLICIES THAT EXPLICITLY
REQUIRE TEACHERS TO NOTIFY PARENTS IF THEIR
CHILD IDENTIFIES AS TRANSGENDER,
BEING APPROVED BY CALIFORNIA SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND NUMEROUS STATES,
AND WITH, SINCE ITS LAST HEARING,
TWO ADDITIONAL STATES IN OUR COUNTRY HAVING ENACTED
SUCH POLICIES SINCE THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED.
THESE POLICIES ARE KNOWN AS FORCED OUTINGS.
FORCED OUTING POLICIES HARM EVERYONE,
PARENTS, FAMILIES,
AND SCHOOL STAFF BY UNNECESSARILY COMPELLING
SCHOOL STAFF TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES
IN FAMILY MATTERS AND REMOVING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES
TO BUILD TRUST AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS
ON THEIR OWN TERMS.
ALTHOUGH MANY LGBTQ YOUTH HAVE SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES,
SOME UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUE TO FACE REJECTION
AND ARE EXPOSED TO SERIOUS
HARM IF PREMATURELY FORCED TO
REVEAL THEIR LGBTQ IDENTITY.
YOUNG PEOPLE THRIVE WHEN THEY HAVE
PARENTAL SUPPORT AND FEELING SAFE,
AND THEY FEEL SAFE SHARING THEIR
AUTHENTIC SELVES AT HOME.
IN FACT, WHEN LGBTQ YOUTH HAVE
THEIR PARENTS SUPPORT,
THEY THRIVE AND FEEL SAFE SHARING
THEIR IDENTITIES WITH THEM.
UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE ARE
ABLE TO BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES,
AND IT CAN BE VERY HARMFUL FOR YOUTH TO SHARE
THEIR FULL IDENTITIES BEFORE THEY ARE READY.
THIS IS WHY, DUE LARGELY TO THE LACK
OF ACCEPTANCE FOR THEIR IDENTITY,
WE KNOW THAT LGBTQ YOUTH MAKE UP A DISPROPORTIONATE
AMOUNT OF THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS,
AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
FORCED OUTING POLICIES ALSO HAVE A MEASURABLE
IMPACT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LGBTQ
STUDENTS AND STUDENT COMMUNITY AT LARGE
AND HAVE LED TO A RISE IN BULLYING,
HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION WHEN FORCED
OUTING POLICIES ARE ENACTED,
WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASED AMOUNT
OF CALLS TO THE CRISIS HOTLINE.
FOR INSTANCE, AFTER CHINO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT PASSED THEIR FORCED OUTING POLICY,
NEARLY 1500 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER
OF CALLS WERE RECEIVED SOLELY
FROM THOSE WHO I IDENTIFIED AS
RESIDENTS OF THAT DISTRICT.
THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS EXPERIENCED BY RESIDENTS
ARE AMONG THE COUNTLESS CALIFORNIANS
WHO ARE HEAVILY AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTED
BY FORCED OUTING POLICIES,
AND WE KNOW THAT ONE WHEN ONE POPULATION
OF THE STUDENT BODY IS BULLIED,
HARASSED OR DISCRIMINATED,
ALL STUDENTS ARE IMPACTED.
AS SUCH, THE SAFETY ACT WAS INTRODUCED
AS STRENGTHENED EXISTING PROTECTIONS
AGAINST FORCED OUTINGS OF LGBTQ STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS.
AND IT DOES FOUR THINGS.
FIRST, THE SAFETY ACT PROHIBITS
AND INVALIDATES ANY POLICY,
RULE OR ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION
THAT REQUIRES FORCED OUTINGS.
SECOND, THIS BILL AFFIRMS THAT TEACHERS
AND EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE
BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR
GENDER IDENTITY OF STUDENTS
AND SHALL NOT BE COMPELLED TO DISCLOSE
SUCH IDENTITY UNLESS REQUIRED TO
DO SO BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW,
SUCH AS DUE TO SUSPICION OF OF HARM.
THIRD, THIS BILL PROTECTS TEACHERS FROM FACING
RETALIATION FOR SIMPLY DOING THEIR JOBS,
TEACHING, AND PROVIDING A SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
AND FOURTH, AND IMPORTANTLY, THE SAFETY
ACT PROVIDES PARENTS, GUARDIANS,
AND FAMILIES OF LGBTQ STUDENTS
WITH CRITICAL RESOURCES
IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEM IN WORKING
TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE ON THEIR OWN TERMS WITHOUT
INTERFERENCE FROM OUTSIDE ACTORS.
NOW, BY STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING PROTECTIONS
AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES,
WE WILL ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE SAFE,
SUPPORTED AND NOT ISOLATED DUE
TO ANY PART OF THEIR IDENTITY,
AS WELL AS ENSURE FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED
SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE PERSONAL
CONVERSATIONS AND WORK TO FAMILY
ACCEPTANCE ON THEIR OWN TERMS.
WITH ME TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF
AB 1955 IS CHRISTY HURST,
A PARENT AND CO-FOUNDER OF OUR SCHOOLS USA,
AND SHEA STEVENS, A TEACHER AND A PARENT HERSELF.
ALSO WITH US FOR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS,
IF NECESSARY, IS JENNIFER CHOW,
THE INTERIM DIRECTOR AND STAFF
ATTORNEY FROM THE ACLU.
THANK YOU.
BEFORE WE, UH, PROCEED WITH, UH, YOUR FIRST WITNESS,
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE ROLL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM.
>> MAYOR.
SUSHI.
HERE, MAYOR.
SUSHI.
HERE.
FLORA.
HERE.
ADDIS.
HERE.
ALVAREZ.
BONTA.
ON TO PRESENT.
HOOVER.
HERE.
MCCARTY.
ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE QUORUM.
PLEASE PROCEED.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS CHRISTIE HURST.
I AM A PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN
AND THE CO-FOUNDER OF OUR SCHOOLS USA,
A NATIONAL NONPROFIT DEDICATED
TO PROTECTING QUALITY PUBLIC
EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS
PARENTS ACROSS CALIFORNIA.
CONTACT US DAILY.
CONCERNED ABOUT FORCED OUTING POLICIES AND
THE EXTREMIST SCHOOL BOARDS THAT PASSED THEM,
EXPRESSING THAT FORCED OUTING IS HARMFUL,
DOES NOTHING TO IMPROVE EDUCATION,
AND IS A WASTE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
AFTER MY HOMETOWN CHINO PASSED
A FORCED OUTING POLICY LAST JULY,
I RECEIVED ALMOST 100 LETTERS FROM MY COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF.
LETTER AFTER LETTER STATES
THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT SAFE
IN THE SCHOOL UNDER THE FORCED OUTING POLICY.
IT IS DISCRIMINATORY AND IT CREATES
A CLIMATE OF FEAR AND BULLYING.
IT'S NOT JUST CHINO.
EVERY TIME A SCHOOL DISTRICT EVEN
DISCUSSES FORCED OUTING,
STUDENTS ARE SENT INTO CRISIS.
RAINBOW YOUTH PROJECT REPORTS THE NUMBER ONE
REASON FOR A CRISIS CALL IN CALIFORNIA IS,
QUOTE, MY GOVERNMENT HATES ME
AND DOESN'T WANT ME TO EXIST.
WHY WOULD ANYONE THINK THAT?
WELL, HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS
SAID PUBLICLY BY MY OWN SCHOOL
BOARD IN DEFENSE OF FORCED OUTING
REGARDING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE.
QUOTE IT IS AN ILLUSION.
IT IS A MENTAL ILLNESS.
A NON-AFFIRMING HOUSE DOESN'T
MEAN THEY'RE DANGEROUS.
SOME WOULD SAY A NON-AFFIRMING HOUSE
CAN ACTUALLY BE MORE HEALTHY.
ANOTHER CHINO TRUSTEE LIKENED GENDER
IDENTITY TO A, QUOTE, DEATH CULTURE,
STATING IT'S NOT GOING TO END WITH TRANSGENDERISM.
YOU GOT TO PUT A STOP TO IT.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LIFELONG CHINO RESIDENTS
WITH THREE KIDS IN SCHOOL THERE.
THIS POLICY IS DESTROYING
THE FABRIC OF MY COMMUNITY,
AND OUR DISTRICT IS ON TRACK TO HIT
$1 MILLION IN LEGAL FEES THIS YEAR.
IN THE PUSH FOR FORCED OUTING POLICIES,
MEMBERS OF KNOWN ANTI-LGBTQ+ HATE GROUPS TRAVELED
TO MY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO THREATEN
AND INTIMIDATE PARENTS,
TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS.
THEY'VE TURNED PUBLIC MEETINGS STATEWIDE
INTO SITES OF HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE.
THE STUDENTS MOST IMPACTED BY FORCED OUTING
FEEL UNSAFE SPEAKING PUBLICLY.
FORCED OUTING POLICIES HARM AND DISCRIMINATE.
WE CAN'T SURVIVE ANOTHER YEAR OF THIS
NOT BEING RESOLVED BY THE STATE,
BECAUSE THE EXTREMISTS WON'T STOP WASTING PUBLIC
MONEY AND RESOURCES ON THEIR POLITICAL CRUSADES.
THE TIME TO RESOLVE ANY AMBIGUITY
IS NOW PAST THE SAFETY ACT,
BECAUSE WE NEED QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION
FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS SHAY STEVENS, AND I'M
A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND MOTHER IN
ONE OF THE 12 DISTRICTS THAT HAS
PASSED A FORCED OUTING POLICY.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE A PERSONAL
STORY ABOUT THE IMPACT THIS
HAS HAD ON THE CULTURE AND SAFETY OF OUR SCHOOL.
WHEN WE BECAME PRIVY TO
THE FACT THAT OUR BOARD WOULD
BE VOTING ON THIS POLICY, THE FORCED OUTING POLICY,
WE ENCOURAGED OUR STUDENTS TO COME TO THE BOARD
MEETING AND BE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
INEVITABLY, MANY IN OUR LGBTQ STUDENT
COMMUNITY FELT COMPELLED TO ATTEND.
WE ALL SAT IN OUR SCHOOLS LIBRARY
LISTENING TO GROWN ADULTS BERATE
OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS BY REFERRING
TO THEM AS ABOMINATIONS,
ACCUSING THEM OF PEDOPHILIA AND CALLING
THEM NUMEROUS DEHUMANIZING NAMES.
SOME EVEN BROUGHT PREPARED SIGNS TO
HOLD UP IN FRONT OF THE CROWD.
ONLY ONE IDENTIFYING STUDENT SPOKE AT
THE PODIUM AMID SNEERS AND WHISPERS.
AS I LOOKED AROUND THE ROOM, MANY OF THE KIDS SAT
IN SILENCE WITH TEARS STREAMING DOWN THEIR FACES,
UNABLE TO FIND THE COURAGE TO STAND
UP AND DEFEND THEMSELVES
AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM.
ENCOURAGING THOSE STUDENTS TO ATTEND THAT MEETING
WAS THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF MY CAREER.
SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN ONE DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
AFTER THE NEXT FROM THE BAN OF ALL FLAGS,
SAVE THE AMERICAN OR STATE FLAG,
TO ATTEMPTS TO BAN MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
BOARD MEETINGS HAVE GONE FROM THE TRADITIONAL
45 MINUTES TO 4 TO 6 HOURS.
WE ARE CHASING OUR TAILS, TRYING TO DO OUR DAY JOBS,
WHILE ALSO FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN A SAFE
AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SCARED
AND INTIMIDATED TO ATTEND OUR BOARD MEETINGS.
IT HAS BECOME BLATANTLY CLEAR
THAT THIS PUSH FROM OUTSIDE
POLITICAL PROPAGANDISTS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND EVERYTHING
TO DO WITH DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
THIS IMBALANCE OF POWER MADE IT CLEAR THAT I,
HAVING THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING
AN EDUCATOR WITH A VOICE,
HAD TO COME HERE TODAY AND SPEAK TO THE DAMAGE
THESE ROGUE BOARDS ARE DOING TO OUR CHILDREN.
STUDENT SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE COMPROMISED
BY EXTREME IDEOLOGY.
IT IS OUR DUTY AND OUR OBLIGATION
TO SERVE AND PROTECT EVERY
STUDENT WHO WALKS INTO OUR CLASSROOMS,
FREE AND FAIR.
PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE CORNERSTONE OF
DEMOCRACY AND OUR KIDS ARE WATCHING.
PLEASE STAND WITH EDUCATORS
AND PASS ASSEMBLY BILL 1955.
THANK YOU.
WITNESS ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
IN SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
AGAIN, PLEASE ONLY STATE YOUR NAME, AFFILIATION,
AND POSITION ON THE BILL.
>> LIZZIE.
LIZZIE KUTSUNA HERE ON BEHALF
OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY
OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> ANY.
ANY ON BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT.
>> GREG PULSIFER ON BEHALF OF EQUALITY
CALIFORNIA IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> JONATHAN CLAN ON BEHALF OF TRANS
YOUTH LIBERATION AND SUPPORT.
>> JORGE REYES SALINAS ON BEHALF OF ARTS OF LIVING,
CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT PROTECTION,
LGBT ASYLUM PROJECT AND PART OF OUR BAY AREA
CONTRA COSTA STOP MOMS FOR LIBERTY.
ELLA PARRA, TRANS LATINAS, HEART OF L.A.
DEMOCRATIC CLUB.
KINDER FUTURE LLC.
LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER.
MÉXICO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS,
AND THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S
POLITICAL CAUCUS OF CALIFORNIA IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> CAT BEST WITH THE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES IN SUPPORT.
>> REX CARPENTER, PLACER COUNTY.
I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> KIM LEWIS, REPRESENTING THE CALIFORNIA
COALITION FOR YOUTH AND SUPPORT.
>> UM.
SHONDA WESLEY WITH OUR FAMILIES,
OUR VOICES ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION,
AND ALSO ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING PARENTS
AND EXTENDED RELATIVES OF TRANS
YOUTH WHO HAVE ASKED ME TO EXPRESS THEIR
SUPPORT FOR AB 1955 KRISTY BARNES,
CLAIRE DE VRIES FOLSOM,
CLAUDIA VERA ALLEN, CONSTANCE POSADA,
ELENA SOBRANTE, ELIZABETH CAMPBELL,
EMILY LEVY, SANTA CRUZ, ERIC HATCH, LONG BEACH,
GILLIAN LEVI, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA.
JEAN ALONG JOSHUA CLARK, KELLY STOUT,
KRISTEN STOUT, KIM MCLEAN, CHRISTINA.
NIEMI, LAURA.
BARRETT.
MEGAN PHILLIPS, MELANIE BIEN, MISKO BOUDRIE,
AND ERICA BAUMANN.
WHITTIER, MORGAN, COTTON,
NICOLE AND DAVID BECKSTROM,
EL CAJON NICOLE ROBERTS, PAULA NOEL, QUINN, BOOZE.
RANINA, RANINA.
STOKES, STEPHANIE.
BAXTER, SUSAN.
KNEBEL, RASHEEDA.
SYLVIA.
ROMO.
TAMARA MALONEY, VALERIE HANLEY,
VALERIE OLDHAM, EMILY HURLEY,
ALI HEATHERLY, MARILYN STANDING
HORSE ARIEL RODRIGUEZ, EMILY.
LOWE.
DAVIS, ALAN.
LOFASO, SACRAMENTO.
REBECCA.
BARRETT.
MARTINEZ.
SCOTT AUSTIN.
MONROVIA.
AMY.
BRADEN.
KIM MCLANE.
FOLSOM.
RANDI.
KAYE.
STEPHENS.
COLLEEN.
KILEY.
DEVORAH.
HERZOG.
NATALIE.
MERCADO.
ELISA.
LAKICH, MELANIE.
BIEN, CHRISTY.
STONE, AMY.
HINES, KIM.
CARTER.
MARTINEZ.
HEATHER.
SULLIVAN, HILARY.
CROSBY, KATE.
FULMER.
THERE ARE MORE, BUT I WILL BEAR YOU
MORE TIME AWAY FROM YOUR AGENDA.
THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS MARA HUEY.
I'M A RETIRED TEACHER.
I HAVE SERVED 35 YEARS WITH
THE STUDENTS OF SACRAMENTO.
IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE TO SERVE FOR THEM,
AND I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL.
>> KAREN LEWIS, MOTHER OF THREE PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENTS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY,
HERE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
>> RIGHT?
DIAZ.
I'M A MOM OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL.
>> RYAN SOUZA ON BEHALF OF THE SAN FRANCISCO
AIDS FOUNDATION AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> CHRIS MYERS WITH THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION AND STRONG SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
REGINA WRIGHT, RESIDENT OF YOLO COUNTY AND SUPPORT.
>> MARTY ROBIE WITH TRANS FAMILY SUPPORT
SERVICES AND TRANS YOUTH LIBERATION,
AND MY COLLEAGUES EVAN JOHNSON,
JASMINE HADID, KIERAN PEARSON, JOCELYN CAMPBELL,
KATIE LEHMAN, AMY MUDD AND CATHY MULLIGAN.
>> HELLO, GENESIS GONZALEZ ON BEHALF OF LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR ELENI KOUNALAKIS IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO ESPERANTO TOGETHER WITH SENECA FAMILY
OF AGENCIES AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> HELLO.
MATTHEW HOWRY IS A PRIOR SUICIDE AND CRISIS
COUNSELOR FOR THE TREVOR PROJECT AND
A CURRENT TEACHER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR OVER A DECADE IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, DOROTHY JOHNSON,
ON BEHALF OF ACTS OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
PLEASED TO SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> TIFFANY MOCK ON BEHALF OF CFT AND STRONG SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
MEGAN SUBERS, ON BEHALF OF THE LOS
ANGELES LGBT CENTER IN SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, SYMPHONY BARBIE.
ON BEHALF OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD AFFILIATES
OF CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT.
>> HELLO BRANDON TATE WITH THE YOUTH MENTAL
HEALTH EQUITY COALITION HERE IN SUPPORT.
>> EBONY HARPER ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA
TRANSCENDS TRANS LATINA
COALITION AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE,
TRANS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND SUPPORT.
>> I'M CASE FRITZ,
THE CO-CHAIR OF THE SACRAMENTO DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> EMILY SCHMIDT OF THE SACRAMENTO DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA, AND STRONG SUPPORT.
HELLO, TOM TEMPRANO HERE ON BEHALF
OF OUR SCHOOLS USA, CARLSBAD,
OUR SCHOOLS USA, LOS ANGELES, PFLAG SAN JOSE,
PENINSULA PUBLIC COUNCIL, PUBLIC SCHOOL,
DEFENDERS OF RIVERSIDE,
LGBTQ+ PRIDE, STOP MOMS FOR LIBERTY, TOM HARMON,
LGBTQ PLUS LAW ASSOCIATION,
VIET RAINBOW OF ORANGE COUNTY,
WEST SIDE ACTIVISTS, WESTCHESTER,
PLAYA DEMOCRATIC CLUB,
WOMEN'S FOUNDATION, CALIFORNIA, YOLO COUNTY,
STOP MOMS FOR LIBERTY IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> ANGIE GAUVIN ON BEHALF OF GSD
PARENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
GLENDALE OUT SAFE REDLANDS SCHOOLS,
WESTSIDE ACTIVISTS AMANI SAHADI,
TRANS TEEN MILO EASLEY AND MOM AMBER
EASLEY IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MILLY YAN,
PLACER COUNTY PARENT IN SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, SABRINA NAVES,
PRESIDENT OF THE SACRAMENTO CHAPTER OF PFLAG.
AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR PARENTS,
FRIENDS, FAMILIES,
ALLIES AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
STRONG SUPPORT.
>> MY NAME IS LIAM.
I'M FROM YOLO COUNTY AND ON BEHALF
OF MY TWO AMAZING NON-BINARY
KIDS WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
COME OUT WHEN THEY WANTED.
I SUPPORT THIS COMPLETELY.
SCOTT ZUKO WITH THE LIVER COALITION OF SAN DIEGO,
THE LGBT CENTER IN SAN DIEGO AND KRISTY'S
PLACE IN SAN DIEGO, AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> MAYA STEINHARDT, NON-BINARY EDUCATOR
IN SACRAMENTO AND REPRESENTATIVE
OF JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE, IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> KATHLEEN FAY ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA
STATE PTA IN SUPPORT.
>> LUCA GRECO PARENT AND SUPPORT.
>> HOWDY.
JACOB DARUVALA FROM THE INLAND EMPIRE,
REPRESENTING RAINBOW PRIDE,
YOUTH ALLIANCE AND DIVINE TRUTH UNITY FELLOWSHIP
CHURCH IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
EVE BANNIS ON BEHALF OF THE SACRAMENTO
LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER,
IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> DANIELA ZIMMERMANN, PFLAG BOARD MEMBER,
GREATER PLACER COUNTY AND MOM AND PLACER COUNTY
LGBTQ PLUS CENTER AND STRONG SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> ANURADHA GUPTA, PROUD MOM OF
AN LGBTQ KID AND BOARD MEMBER OF
PFLAG DANVILLE SAN RAMON VALLEY
CHAPTER IN STRONG SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> FRANK TREADWAY REDDING,
SHASTA COUNTY SUPPORTER OF LGBT
ACTIVISTS AND GRADUATE OF ANDERSON
HIGH SCHOOL IN 1959,
WHERE THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> DYAN CANNON, PUBLIC SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> JESSICA FRENCH ON BEHALF OF SHASTA
UNITED FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION,
STOP MOMS FOR LIBERTY,
SHASTA COUNTY, AND MYSELF, THE MOTHER OF TWO
PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> HARRY FANTHAM, PLACER COUNTY MOM OF
AN LGBTQ CHILD IN STRONG SUPPORT.
LAURA BRUBAKER, VOLUNTEER WITH
YOLO COUNTY MOMS FOR LIBERTY,
ALSO A PARENT OF STUDENTS IN
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
STRONG SUPPORT.
>> MARILYN DIJKSTRA, THE BI AND LGBTQ
AND MOTHER OF TWO YOUNG ADULTS,
VOLUNTEER ADMIN WITH CALIFORNIA STOP
MOMS FOR LIBERTY AND VOLUNTEER
ADMIN FOR ALAMEDA COUNTY STOP MOMS
FOR LIBERTY STRONG SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, SEAN HARRINGTON.
I'M THE FATHER OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT,
UH, RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND I'M HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> UM, I AM I AM ISLA TORRES, A FIFTH GRADE STUDENT,
AND I SUPPORT THIS BILL.
STEPHANIE CAMACHO VAN DYKE REPRESENTING
THE LGBTQ CENTER OC IN ORANGE COUNTY.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT.
>> FRANK GUZMAN, FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FOR
POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CURRENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF POMONA VALLEY PRIDE,
IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
>> BECCA KRAMER MATTER ON BEHALF OF ACLU
CALIFORNIA ACTION IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> HI, I AM CATHERINE GARDNER,
PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT OF LGBTQ KID.
I'M ALSO REPRESENTING OUR SCHOOLS USA,
LOS ANGELES, UH, OUR SCHOOLS USA,
INLAND VALLEY, CONTRA COSTA, TEMECULA,
MURIETTA EAST SAN DIEGO.
THE FOLLOWING UH CITIZENS HOLLY RAMOS, DIANE DAWSON,
KATHY GOODSON, ELIZABETH STAGNER, PENELOPE WAKEMAN,
ERIC GOODALL, STACY BARROWS, ROB BROWNSTEIN,
ALEX BROWNSTEIN,
REBECCA NIEDERLANDER, STEPHANIE.
GLUCKMAN, ARACELI.
CESAR, DON.
ROCK, NATHANIEL.
ROCK, ABEL.
ROCK, JOSHUA.
ROCK, MARK.
HAYES, LAURA.
COLIN, IRINA.
FIX, JULIE.
ROSS, UM, AS WELL AS LOU MORTON,
JENNIFER GOLDENBERG,
THEODORE GOLDENBERG,
LINNEA SAVAGE GOLDENBERG, ANNE-MARIE COFFER,
DAVID X COHEN, AND PATTY COHEN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> DANIELA TORRES ON BEHALF OF STATE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION TONY THURMOND,
AND STRONG AND PROUD SUPPORT.
>> MAGGIE'S.
I AM A PARENT IN PLACER COUNTY SCHOOLS,
AND I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF UM OF OUR SCHOOLS,
USA, PLACER COUNTY, AND I'M IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> NICOLE MORALES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN
NOW AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> MY NAME IS CHRIS BOUCHER.
I'M A HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER IN
THE BEVERLY HILLS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION,
AND I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
ADRIAN MIOTTI, ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH TEACHER IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> MANDY REDFERN, PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER IN LOS ANGELES
COUNTY AND MOTHER OF TWO IN SUPPORT.
BRANDON JACOBY.
SAN LUIS OBISPO TENANTS UNION IN SUPPORT.
>> COBY PEZZATI.
I'M A WASHINGTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
TRUSTEE AND STRONG SUPPORT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JANICE O'MALLEY WITH ACME,
CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT.
>> SILVIA SOLIS SHAW HERE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
OF WEST HOLLYWOOD AND ALSO ON BEHALF OF,
UM, SORRY, THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION, BOTH IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> WHEN RENÉ BILODEAU HERE AS A PARENT
TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT.
>> NICOLE WATERMAN ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN'S
PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
UH, CAN WE HAVE OUR TWO WITNESSES
IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
PLEASE COME TO THE WITNESS TABLE.
JUST TWO, PLEASE.
UH, WE DID NOT ALLOW ANY TECHNICAL
ADVISERS FOR THE PROPONENTS,
AND SO WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT FOR THE OPPOSITION.
YES, PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
TWO MINUTES EACH.
YOU MAY PROCEED.
YEP.
OH, PLEASE HIT YOUR MICROPHONE.
>> WHAT IS HAPPENING?
OH, WE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE YOUR.
DIDN'T SOUND LIKE YOUR MICROPHONE WAS WORKING.
OKAY.
THAT WAS WORKING OKAY.
OKAY.
MY NAME IS SONIA SHAH.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF CHINO VALLEY
UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD.
FOR TEN YEARS, THE CDE HAS MISLED SCHOOLS,
FALSELY CLAIMING THAT TEACHERS MUST
WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM PARENTS,
CITING A NONEXISTENT STATE LAW GRANTING CHILDREN
PRIVACY RIGHTS AGAINST THEIR OWN PARENTS.
YET THERE IS NO SUCH LAW.
SCHOOLS WERE CONVINCED TO DECEIVE PARENTS
BUT WERE CAUGHT IN THAT LIE.
TEACHERS AND PARENTS SUED, AND OUR BOARD,
ALONG WITH A FEW OTHERS,
HAVE IMPLEMENTED A POLICY AGAINST DECEIVING PARENTS.
YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT.
SO YOU WROTE AB 1955 USING A GUT AND AMEND TACTIC,
DECEITFULLY CLAIMING TO ESTABLISH
A LAW THAT YOU ALSO LIED ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, THE NOTIFICATION POLICY DOESN'T
REFER TO KIDS BEING GAY, YET YOU LIED.
AGAIN.
NOTIFICATION ONLY OCCURS WHEN A SCHOOL ACTIVELY
TREATS GENDER DYSPHORIC CHILDREN BY AFFIRMING
A TRANSGENDER IDENTITY ONLY WHEN THE CHILD'S
ASKING TO COME OUT TO THEIR PEERS.
THIS BILL ALSO PROHIBITS TRANSPARENCY,
TAKES AWAY LOCAL CONTROL, VIOLATES FERPA,
THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION,
AND THE US CONSTITUTION.
YOU GUYS UP THERE AND MYSELF,
ALONG WITH THE AUTHOR TOOK AN OATH.
AND I CANNOT SUPPORT A LAW THAT INFRINGES
ON PARENTS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
CHAIR, THIS WEEKEND, YOU ABSURDLY
CLAIMED THAT IF PARENTS LEARN
OF THEIR CHILD'S TRANS IDENTITY,
THEY WOULD BEAT THEM.
WHERE'S THE DATA?
THAT IS ALSO A LIE.
IN CHINO, WE INFORMED AT LEAST 12 PARENTS
OF THEIR CHILD'S TRANSGENDER IDENTITY,
AND NOT ONE OF THEM WERE HURT OR ABANDONED BEFORE
WE WERE SUED BY TONY THURMOND AND BONTA,
PRESUMING PARENTAL VIOLENCE IS
YET ANOTHER LAW, ASKED MR.
WARD WHAT HAPPENS TO A TEACHER
WHO REFUSES TO LIE INFORM
PARENTS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S GENDER CONFUSION?
WILL THEY BE FIRED AND RECEIVE A $360,000
SETTLEMENT LIKE JESSICA TAPIA?
WELL, PARENTS NEED TO SUE, AS IN THE MIRABELLI CASE,
WHILE PARENTS CONTINUE RECEIVING PAYOUTS
FOR SCHOOLS, DECEIVING THEM.
THE BILL REMOVES PARENTS FROM HELPING THEIR CHILD
AND PROTECTS TEACHERS LIKE THOSE IN SPRECKELS,
WHO SPIED ON MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IPADS
TO FILL THEIR TRANS CLUB.
THE ELK GROVE TEACHER, WHO INVITED THIRD
GRADERS TO DISCUSS SEX AND GENDER.
THE ENCINITAS TEACHER, WHO USED FIFTH GRADERS TO
TEACH KINDERGARTNERS TO REJECT THEIR BODIES,
BUT NOT TEACHERS LIKE TAPIA IN CHINO.
WE WON'T ALLOW A SCHOOL TO LIE TO ANY PARENT.
AB 1955 MAKES LYING LEGAL
AND A REQUIREMENT IN SCHOOL.
LET ME REMIND YOU, WHEN YOU GUYS
SAY THIS IS YOUR CHILDREN,
THEY ARE NOT YOUR CHILDREN.
THEY ARE OURS.
NOW.
I HEARD THE FORCED OUTING THING.
LET ME REMIND YOU, HOW CAN A CHILD COME OUT
TO THOUSANDS OF PEERS AND STAFF MEMBERS
AND US NOT BE ABLE TO TELL THE PARENTS WE
HAVE A DUTY AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER?
AND YOU SHOULD KNOW, BEST CHAIR,
THAT THEY NEED TO BE PROVIDED
A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND TO DO
THAT INCLUDES THEIR PARENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS ADRIAN ADAMKOVA
AND I LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
I'M A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT, AND I HAVE BEEN
A CTA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER FOR 22 YEARS.
I AM A LIFELONG LGBT ACTIVIST.
I AM A MOTHER OF A FORMERLY TRANS IDENTIFIED SON.
TEN YEARS AGO, NO STUDENTS
IDENTIFIED AS TRANSGENDER.
NOW, EVERY CLASS HAS AT LEAST A FEW STUDENTS WHO
IDENTIFY AS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEIR OWN SEX.
MY SON'S TRANS IDENTITY WAS A RESULT OF ANXIETY,
LONELINESS,
AND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE INTERNET
LIKE SO MANY OTHER YOUTH.
SADLY, THESE CHILDREN WHO REJECT
THEIR SEX BELIEVE THAT THEY
WERE BORN WRONG AND DISSOCIATE
WITH THEIR NATURAL BODIES,
WHICH RESULTS IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF
THEIR ALREADY FRAGILE MENTAL STATE.
WE, AS TEACHERS ARE TOLD, TRAINED,
MANDATED TO ACCEPT THE CHILD'S
PRONOUNCEMENT AT FACE VALUE
AND KEEP THIS SECRET FROM PARENTS.
WE GAME THE STUDENTS RECORDS TO AUTOMATICALLY
CHANGE NAMES AND PRONOUNS
DEPENDING UPON THE RECIPIENT
AND LIE TO PARENTS, SENATORS SAID.
TEACHERS DO NOT WANT TO BE THE GENDER POLICE.
THAT IS TRUE.
TEACHERS ALSO DO NOT WANT TO
BE LIARS OR CO-CONSPIRATORS
IN THE SOCIAL TRANSITION OF STUDENTS.
PARENTS SHOULD BE TRUSTED TO MAKE
DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN KIDS.
WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING AN ASSUMPTION OF GUILT ABOUT
PARENTS WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
TEACHERS SHOULD NURTURE, NOT OBSTRUCT,
THE PARENT CHILD BOND.
TEACHERS ARE EVALUATED ON HOW WELL
WE VALUE AND RESPECT STUDENTS,
FAMILIES AND THEIR ROLE.
AB 1955 OBLITERATES THAT MUTUAL RESPECT.
THE SENATE WAS FILLED WITH COMING OUT STORIES,
AND THE BILL'S AUTHOR ERRONEOUSLY EQUATES COMING OUT
AS GAY TO THE ADOPTION OF A TRANSGENDER IDENTITY.
BEING GAY CARRIES NO CHANCE OF IRREVERSIBLE
MEDICALIZATION TO FIT A SENSE OF SELF,
NOR DOES IT REQUIRE ACTIVE DECEPTION BY SCHOOLS.
YOUR TIME IS UP.
PLEASE WRAP UP.
IN CHILDREN, TRANS IDEATION IS
ALMOST ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED
BY OTHER SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
SECRECY FROM PARENTS IS NOT THE ANSWER.
THIS BILL WILL ONLY HURT CHILDREN.
THANK YOU.
VOTE NO AND THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AGAIN.
NAME, AFFILIATION AND POSITION ON THE BILL ONLY.
>> TARA THORNTON, CO-FOUNDER OF FREEDOM ANGELS,
AND WE ALL KNOW I COULD
STAND HERE FOR HOURS LISTING CALIFORNIANS
WHO OPPOSE THIS.
>> MY NAME IS NICK WILSON.
I'M A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER IN STRONG OPPOSITION.
DENISE AGUILAR, CO-FOUNDER OF
FREEDOM ANGELS AND CANDIDATE
FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13, IN OPPOSITION.
AND LET'S SEE.
KENNETH PRADO IN OPPOSITION.
SONIA SHAH'S HUSBAND, CHRISTIAN
OPPOSITION TINA ROUVELAS,
MARY ALDRIN, JESSICA ROMERO,
ROSARIO ORTIZ, RAFAEL HERNANDEZ,
ROBERT ROBERTA HERNANDEZ,
VERONICA MARTINEZ, MICHELLE MONTOYA,
DENISE VALERI, ELIZABETH WILLIAMS,
LIZ ESPINOSA, LAURA MUNOZ, CLAUDIA LANDAVERDE.
COAL, EVERY MAN, UH, CAMI LOPEZ, GABRIEL.
INGRAM, LORI.
RATCLIFFE, DARREN.
ELLIS, CRYSTAL.
OSBORNE, CHRISTINA.
ACEVEDO, CHRISTINA.
GARRIDO, NATALIE.
CARBALLO, ALEXIA.
KNIGHT, JESSICA.
ROMERO, WENDY.
PELLICCIONI, JUANA.
ARENAS, ROSARIO.
ORTIZ, DIANA.
UH, I CAN'T READ HER LAST NAME.
LINETTE.
GONZALEZ, CLAUDIA.
LANDREVILLE, PATRICIA.
LUNA.
ESMERALDA.
ARENAS.
VICTORIA VIZCARRA.
MARIA ORTIZ, DULCE ZAVALA,
MONICA LOPEZ AND GINA MORENO.
>> I'M DOCTOR GLENN HOLSTEIN, PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGIST
FROM ACROSS THE RIVER IN DAVIS.
I'M STRONGLY OPPOSED.
THANKS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, AARON FRIDAY, DEMOCRAT,
MOTHER OF A DAUGHTER WHO USED TO
BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS A BOY.
ALSO MEMBER OF DEMOCRATS FOR INFORMED APPROACH
TO GENDER AND PROTECT KIDS CALIFORNIA.
WE STRONGLY OPPOSE OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THERE ARE 3000 MEMBERS OF OUR DUTY
WHO I WON'T RUN THEIR NAMES.
THANK YOU.
>> NICOLE PEARSON, FOUNDER OF FACTS, LAW, TRUTH,
JUSTICE AND STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
ALONG WITH AMBER EARLING
AND ANGELA MACBETH AND KARLA,
BARBARA KANGAS, BLAIR BRITT,
COLIN GRIGGS, DAVE HAWKINS,
JULIE AZADPUR, JULIE SCHNEIDER,
CARRIE BARTON, KRISTEN MALABAR,
KRISTY YEAGER, LAURA O'NEILL,
LIZ SIMONS, LINDSEY METZ, NICOLE RAMOS,
PORTIA FISHER,
ROSEANNE DISTANISLAO, STACEY JONES,
PAUL JONES, ROSIE AVILA,
LAWRENCE PEARSON, MONICA PEARSON, STACEY.
HARRIS, SUMMER.
FRYE, PENNY.
NICOLE, JACQUELINE, NICOLE, DEVIN,
NICOLE, ERIC, NICOLE,
MIKE, NICOLE AND CLAIRE EDWARDS,
AND THE LIST GOES ON.
BUT I'LL SPARE YOU.
>> GENE JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF MERCER
COUNTY REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY,
STRONGLY AGAINST THIS DIABOLICAL BILL.
>> MONIQUE LOPEZ FROM WHITTIER PARENT ALLIANCE.
WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL,
AND I AM ALSO A MOTHER OF A SON
THAT'S OPENLY GAY AND A DAUGHTER
WHO IS OPENLY A LESBIAN.
HELLO, MRS.
G FROM ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,
AND REPRESENTED HERE MYSELF
FOR MY THREE CHILDREN, UM,
IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
AND I'M HERE TO REPRESENT UM SHAN
FROM CALIFORNIA PARENTS UH,
RIGHTS ACT NOW AND FOR PATTY FROM BONITA FALLS.
THANK YOU.
AND I OPPOSE.
>> HENRY ABRAHAM.
I'M THE CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRWOMAN OF
THE IRANIAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICANS OF
CALIFORNIA AND THE GROUP LEADER FOR
PLACER COUNTY MOMS FOR AMERICA.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THE BILL ON
BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR,
UM, MOMS FOR AMERICA LIAISON, MISS BARBARA GEORGE.
THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SABRINA WILLIAMS.
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF MOM ARMY CALIFORNIA.
UM, I REPRESENT SEVERAL BATTALIONS
UP AND DOWN CALIFORNIA.
WE ALL OPPOSE.
IN ADDITION TO ADAM VENA, JESSICA ENOS,
WENDY MUNIZ, UH,
HARRISON TINSLEY, CHRISTINA MARIN, ELIZABETH NEMCEK.
UH, STEPHANIE.
DAWSON, ALICIA.
LAW, GABRIEL.
BRITSCHGI.
PATRICE.
UH BALLESTAS.
UH, ROBERT LOPEZ.
HELLO, I AM KAREN DARNELL, DOCTOR OF COUNSELING
AND REGISTERED NURSE, AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS TAMMY MCMAHON GORONS
I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHER SINCE 1986 AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> MY NAME IS BILL SCOTT.
I REPRESENT A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN CLOVIS
THAT WANT TO SEE OUR SCHOOLS
GET BACK TO EDUCATING OUR KIDS INSTEAD
OF INDOCTRINATING THEM.
THIS BILL IS JUST WRONG.
VOTE NO.
>> I'M KIM O'BRIEN, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC
SCHOOL TEACHER SINCE 1985.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> JANINE PARRA FROM ORANGE COUNTY,
FOUNDER OF TWO CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MARIN,
AND FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND HEALTH
ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> JEANETTE LOUDON FROM FRESNO COUNTY.
I AM A RETIRED NURSE.
I SEE THESE THINGS AND I STRONGLY, STRONGLY OPPOSE.
MY NAME IS SARA RENNER, 25 YEAR TEACHER
AND ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES AND REPRESENTATIVE
FROM EDUCATION IMPACT.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
HOW Y'ALL DOING?
MY NAME IS WENDELL BENNETT.
FIRST OF ALL, I'M A CITIZEN OF
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN HEAVEN.
AND I'M WITH MAKE CALIFORNIA GOLD AGAIN.
AND I STRONGLY, STRONGLY IN GOD'S NAME OPPOSE THIS.
HI, MY NAME IS SUZANNE PEREZ.
I'M A GRANDMOTHER.
OF CHILDREN WITH GLENDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL
AND ALSO FOR DARREN ELLIS.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARTIN.
I'M WITH MAKE CALIFORNIA GOLD AGAIN,
AND I STAND ON BEHALF
OF ALL CALIFORNIA PARENTS
AND STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SARAH STEVENS.
I'M A WIFE OF A VETERAN, A MOTHER OF SIX CHILDREN,
AND I HAVE AN ORGANIZATION
CALLED MAKE CALIFORNIA GOLD AGAIN AND TIME TO STAND.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL,
ALONG WITH PREY CALIFORNIA TV.
NEXT.
LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE.
MOMS ON THE GROUND.
TURNING POINT USA.
FAITH OUR WATCH BLEXIT PUBLIC SCHOOL EXIT.
TAKE OUR POWER BACK SHOW,
CALIFORNIA MOMS FOR AMERICA,
THE CROSS TV, THE SALT AND LIGHT COUNCIL,
AND OVER 800 CHURCHES THAT ARE CONNECTED
WITH HARVEST ROCK MINISTRIES.
SO THANK YOU.
WE OBVIOUSLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> HI, I'M MY NAME IS JOSHUA STEPHENS.
I AM AGAINST THIS BILL AND I'M WITH
MAKE CALIFORNIA GOLD AGAIN.
I AM AGAINST THIS BILL.
>> HI, MY NAME IS BELLA MINOR.
I'M A MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO IS
A FORMALLY SELF-IDENTIFIED TRANS.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> HI.
JESSICA WAGNER, PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
AND PARENT OF TWO, UM,
STRONG OPPOSITION AS WELL AS REPRESENTING
MANUKE FROM LEAVE KIDS ALONE OPPOSITION.
THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA CUEVAS.
I'M CONCERNED.
MOM, GRANDMOTHER AND RETIRED REGISTERED NURSE.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> MY NAME IS MAX BONILLA.
I'M COMING HERE ON BEHALF OF REBUILD CALIFORNIA.
IN OPPOSITION.
>> MY NAME IS RACHEL BORDOLI.
I'M A SAN FRANCISCO VOTER, REGISTERED DEMOCRAT,
MOTHER OF A LESBIAN,
SOCIALLY TRANSITIONED AT SCHOOL 15 YEARS OLD,
BELIEVES SHE NEEDS TO HAVE DOUBLE MASTECTOMY
AND CROSS-SEX HORMONES.
I'M ALSO HERE WITH WOMEN ARE REAL AND WITH RED
DEMOCRATS FOR AN INFORMED APPROACH TO GENDER.
THANK YOU.
I OPPOSE THIS BILL WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BODY.
>> CYNTHIA CRAVENS, DEMOCRAT, UM, LIFELONG LIBERAL,
ALSO FORMER CANDIDATE FOR CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE
DISTRICT 11 AND AFFILIATED WITH PARENTS OR NOT.
MUSHROOMS.
BRING THEM BACK INTO THE LIGHT.
DO NOT KEEP THEM IN THE DARK AND ALLOW
THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS.
I DEFINITELY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M JEAN.
CHADBORN, LIFELONG.
>> DEMOCRAT, OAKLAND RESIDENT TEACHER OF OVER 20 YEARS,
A MEMBER OF WOMEN ARE REAL,
WOMEN'S DECLARATION INTERNATIONAL
AND PART OF THE COALITION
OF BOYS DON'T BELONG IN GIRLS
LOCKER ROOMS OR SPORTS.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> HELLO, I'M CATHERINE MCBRIDE,
24 YEAR SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
AND WITH CALIFORNIA PARENTS UNION.
AND I WANT TO.
STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 1955,
ALONG WITH KEISHA WILLIAMS A.
UH, LIBRARIAN IN PLACER COUNTY.
WE'RE ALSO IN.
WE'RE ALL IN PLACER COUNTY.
OPPOSE THIS ANTI-PARENT BILL.
SO PLEASE VOTE NO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOOD MORNING, I'M SANDY.
>> WE THE PEOPLE, SPEAKING IN STRONG OPPOSITION
TO THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BILL,
AND ALSO SPEAKING FOR KATHY WARNER
OF PLACER COUNTY, DEBRA CAPORASO,
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, DEBBIE WOOLEY FROM
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, LEE FRYER,
PLACER COUNTY, AND LINDA HAUGEN FROM PLACER COUNTY.
PLEASE OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS DAVE CAPIZZANO AND I STRONGLY
OPPOSE THIS CORRUPT BILL.
>> BARBARA LEWIS JENSEN I'M A FORMER RETIRED ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL TEACHER AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEACHER,
THE MOTHER OF AN LGBTQ SON AND A GRANDMOTHER.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
AND MY NAME IS JIM HICKS FROM SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
NONSENSICAL BILL.
AND ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT
OF THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY.
HARVEST BIBLE CHURCH AND A MEMBER OF
JIM SHOEMAKER FOR SENATE CAMPAIGN.
AND WE WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS.
AND I COULD READ YOU 2500 PLUS NAMES, BUT I WON'T.
BUT THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US.
THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MARILYN HAMMOND.
I'M A MOTHER.
GRANDMOTHER.
I'M ALSO ON THE SENATE CAMPAIGN FOR JIM SHOEMAKER.
UM, I'M ALSO REPRESENTING MANY PEOPLE FROM HARVEST
BIBLE CHURCH AND VARIOUS OTHER CHURCHES,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO PHYLLIS
CARVALHO AND COWGIRLS FOR JESUS,
RUTH HMONG, TONY FIELDS, CECILIA TRUJILLO, UM,
SILVANA HARVEST, AND CAROL UM MATSUNAGA.
THANK YOU.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> I'M MARGIE MATTHEWS FROM ATWATER, CALIFORNIA.
I HOMESCHOOLED MY KIDS TO PROTECT THEM
FROM WHAT I WAS SEEING IN THE SCHOOLS.
THEY NOW HOMESCHOOLED THEIR KIDS.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> MY NAME IS EVELYN APODACA AND I'M
A GRANDMOTHER OF TEN GRANDCHILDREN,
AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> I'M LAURA KATIE FROM SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
A VERY CONCERNED MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER
AND REPRESENT PRAY, CALIFORNIA.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> KIM CLAYBURGH.
I LIVE IN THE 22ND DISTRICT.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
I'M A MOTHER AND A WIFE OF A VETERAN
AND A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE.
THANK YOU.
JOSE CHAVEZ, CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH
VALLEY YOUNG REPUBLICANS
AND RESIDENT OF ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13,
IN FIRM OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
GARY GRIGSBY.
I AM A RESIDENT OF UM HEATH, FLORES DISTRICT,
AS WELL AS, UM, SUSAN EGGMAN'S DISTRICT.
I'M ALSO THE TREASURER FOR NORTH
VALLEY YOUNG REPUBLICANS,
THE POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR CENTRAL
VALLEY IMPACT REPUBLICANS,
AND A COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THE SAN
JOAQUIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
MY NAME IS FLORENTINA.
DEGENNARO, FORMERLY DEMOCRATIC MOTHER OF THREE,
REPRESENTING YUBA COUNTY REPUBLICAN
CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND PART
OF FREEDOM COALITION AND GLAD TIDINGS,
AND WE STRONGLY OPPOSE.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS MICHI ROVIRA.
I'M FROM ALAMEDA COUNTY.
I'M A MOTHER, AND I'M REPRESENTING
A FREEDOM IN EDUCATION,
A NATIONAL PARENT ORGANIZATION.
AND ALSO I'M THE CO-PRESIDENT OF
CALIFORNIA PARENTS ADVOCATE.
AND ON BEHALF OF MILLIONS OF PARENTS,
I AM WE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED THIS BILL.
GOOD DAY.
MY NAME IS PEGGY DELGADO.
I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR BRIDGE NETWORK,
A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT WORKS
WITH AT RISK YOUTH TRAUMA,
SEXUALLY EXPLOITED AND TRAFFICKED YOUTH.
UM, I'M ALSO A SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE FOR PLEASANT
RIDGE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NEVADA COUNTY.
AND ADDITIONALLY, I'M A BRAIN HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATED WITH AMAN CLINICS.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS ROCHELLE CONNOR.
I AM THE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON FOR
CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA,
STANDING ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS
OF FAMILIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA.
ALSO, I AM AN ABOLITIONIST WITH THE FREDERICK
DOUGLASS FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA,
ONE OF THE OLDEST CIVIL RIGHTS
ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA.
AND WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL
AND RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR NO VOTE.
HI, I'M.
NANCY THORNTON, AND I'M HERE WITH
CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA,
AND I URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HELLO, MY NAME IS PATRICIA PESTONI.
I'M HERE ALSO WITH CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA.
I'M A RETIRED TEACHER AND STILL SUBBING FROM AUBURN,
CALIFORNIA,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL HURTING
THE CHILDREN AND THE PARENTS.
THANK YOU.
PLEASE OPPOSE IT.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CATHY LANE.
I LIVE IN FAIR OAKS.
I'M A BUSINESS OWNER LONG TERM AND I STRONGLY
URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HELLO, I'M KAREN KEATOR.
I'M FROM SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
I'M A MEMBER OF YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,
AND I VERY MUCH OPPOSE
THIS BILL BECAUSE IT VIOLATES THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS.
IT'S NOT THE STATE WHO OWNS THE CHILD.
THANK YOU.
GOOD DAY.
I'M LISA DISBROW AND I'M WITH INFORMED
PARENTS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY.
WOMEN ARE REAL, REAL IMPACT.
OUR DUTY LAMORINDA FOR EDUCATION.
I'M A 34 YEAR VETERAN BILINGUAL TEACHER WHO REFUSED
TO UNDERMINE PARENTS RIGHTS, SO I RETIRED.
I'M ALSO THE VETERAN, A MOTHER OF A VETERAN
AND MEMBER OF CHINO HILLS CHURCH,
AND WE DEMAND NO ONE TEACH CHILDREN
TO LIE TO THEIR PARENTS.
I ALSO AM REPRESENTING BRITA, LIZZY AND.
LET ME REMIND FOLKS NAME, AFFILIATION,
AND POSITION ON THE BILL.
THANK YOU.
HI, MY NAME IS LINDA RICH.
I'M A FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN.
UM, I'M A PLACER COUNTY MOM, GRANDMOTHER,
AND FORMER GIRL SCOUT LEADER.
AND ON BEHALF OF MYSELF,
MY CHILDREN AND MY GRANDCHILDREN,
I OPPOSE AB 1955, SAVE PARENTAL RIGHTS AND KEEP.
HELLO, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE SUELA.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING MY TWO CHILDREN,
SIX GRANDCHILDREN AND THREE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.
I'M ALSO A PART OF REBUILD CALIFORNIA.
YOU KNOW, I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS.
YOU ARE NOT TAKING AWAY MY PARENTS.
HI.
HEATHER KELLER, CALIFORNIA.
PARENT IN.
STRONG OPPOSITION.
THANKS.
UH, MIKE MURRAY, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF
AS A FATHER OF YOUNG CHILDREN
AND THE AMERICAN COUNCIL IN OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
LANCE CHRISTENSEN, FATHER OF FIVE
PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN AND VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA POLICY CENTER,
OPPOSED AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, BREANA SHEEHY.
REPRESENTING PROTECTION.
OF THE EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS OF KIDS.
ADVOCACY IN OPPOSITION.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS TEA.
I AM A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON.
ON BEHALF OF TULARE COUNTY COALITION FOR FREEDOM.
UNMASK TULARE COUNTY.
PORTERVILLE.
BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY.
STAND UP.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
GABRIEL INGRAM, KAYLEE MCKENNA.
MR.
AND MRS.
MATT.
WERTHER.
MR.
AND MRS.
BRUCE.
KINBERG, CINDY TENBROEK,
BOB AND KAREN LOCKE, VANESSA.
CHAVEZ, TANYA.
RICE, MR.
AND MRS.
STEVE GORDON, PASTOR MICHAEL CLARK,
ROCK HARBOR CHURCH,
BAKERSFIELD, CALVARY, VISALIA CHURCH, BAKERSFIELD.
RED ROVER, PARENT AND CHILD COALITION
FOR STRONG FAMILIES UNITED.
WE ALL STAND IN STRONG OPPOSITION OF
THE STATE GOVERNMENT OVERREACH OF AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
MAY GOD GUIDE YOUR DECISION.
MY NAME IS RACHEL EISINGER.
I'M A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND A PARENT
REPRESENTING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
MOLLY SHEEHAN WITH THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC
CONFERENCE IN OPPOSITION.
THANK YOU.
I'M KATIE GORMAN, I'M ALSO A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER,
AND I REPRESENT SHASTA COUNTY MOMS FOR
LIBERTY IN OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL.
I'M ARIANNE GEHRINGER, I'M A LESBIAN MILLENNIAL
VOLUNTEER FOR LGB ALLIANCE USA,
AND I AM IN OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
HI, I'M.
SHERRI MEEK, I'M A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT FROM OAKLAND,
AND I'M HERE TODAY IN STRONG
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
HI, I'M TOM.
FOX, VICE PRESIDENT OF CITIZENS
IN SUPPORT OF EL DORADO HILLS,
AND I'M AGAINST THIS BILL WHICH WOULD HARM CHILDREN.
THANK YOU.
CHERYL FOX.
RETIRED LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST.
20 YEARS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BAY AREA.
AND I'M AGAINST THIS BILL.
HI, MY NAME.
IS GEORGIA LUBER.
I'M ON THE BOARD OF OUR DUTY USA,
AND I'M A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M CHRISTINE GOUGH, AND I'M A PARENT
AND AN EDUCATOR AND A REGISTERED DEMOCRATIC
VOTER AND A MEMBER OF DEMOCRATS FOR
AN INFORMED APPROACH TO GENDER.
AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M LAUREN WALL.
I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
OF OVER 30 YEARS, UM,
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT WITH DEMOCRATS FOR
AN INFORMED APPROACH TO GENDER.
AND I'M AGAINST THIS REGRESSIVE BILL.
HI, I'M VIRGINIA TEVLIN AND I AM HERE
BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED FOR PARENTS,
GRANDPARENTS AND ALL THOSE WHO
REGRET THEIR SEX CHANGE.
THEY CAN'T REVERSE IT.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
HI.
ELISA OVERHOLT.
WOMEN'S LIBERATION FRONT,
ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
AND DEAR SISTER, I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M MARISOL CANDELAS,
A BUSINESS OWNER IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA,
AND FROM THE FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M LUIS CABRERA.
I'M ALSO A BUSINESS OWNER,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M ALONSO ALTAMIRANO.
I'M A BUSINESS OWNER IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M DOCTOR LINDA LARA WITH.
THE TRUTH SEEKERS AND PASTOR OF.
STAR DAVID CHURCH IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
MY NAME IS DOCTOR.
SUNNY LARA FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.
I'M A GANG EXPERT IN WORKING
WITH YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN,
GETTING THEM OUT OF THE GANG LIFESTYLE,
AND WE TOTALLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, MY NAME IS SOFIA VERA.
I'M WITH SILICON VALLEY TRUTH SEEKERS.
I'M ALSO A MOTHER AND SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
>> HI, MY NAME IS FILIBERTO VERA.
I AM A BUSINESS OWNER IN SAN JOSE,
CALIFORNIA AND FATHER OF SIX
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
I'M LAURA IVANOVICH FROM FREMONT IN ALAMEDA COUNTY,
AND I'M A MOTHER AND A FUTURE GRANDMOTHER,
AND I OPPOSE AB 1955.
MY NAME IS JUDY MARTINEZ.
I'M FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.
I WORK IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
I REPRESENT, UM, SILICON VALLEY TRUTH SEEKERS,
AND I OPPOSE AB 1955.
HI, I'M BEVERLY TALBOT FROM
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.
AS A MEMBER OF DEMOCRATS WITH AN INFORMED
APPROACH TO GENDER LESBIAN,
GAY AND BISEXUAL ALLIANCE AND
A GAY RESIDENT OF SAN FRANCISCO,
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
NO CHILD IS BORN IN THE WRONG BODY.
I'M YVETTE CORCORAN.
RESIDENT OF SAN FRANCISCO.
MOTHER OF TWO.
TEENAGERS, REGISTERED NURSE AND MEMBER.
OF WOMEN ARE REAL.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 1955.
MY NAME IS BARBARA WALKER AND I'M FROM ALAMEDA.
ON BEHALF OF WOMEN ARE REAL.
ORG AND AFFIRMING REALITY.
COM AND AS A BAY AREA MOM OF THREE
KIDS WHO I WANT TO PROTECT,
I STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 1955.
TRANS IS NOT THE NEW GAY.
HI, MY NAME IS JUDITH CAHILL.
I'M A.
REGISTERED DEMOCRAT.
I'M A MOTHER.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING AFFIRMING REALTY.COM
AND A MEMBER OF WOMEN ARE REAL.
ORG I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR AND MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS KAREN AMIGONE.
ON BEHALF OF THE RNA, WE RESPECTFULLY
OPPOSE THIS BILL.
MY NAME IS TRACY SCHROEDER.
I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
I SIT ON PARENT.
STUDENT.
TEACHER.
SUPPORT TEAMS.
TO HELP CHILDREN.
THERE MUST BE.
CONGRUENCY.
IN OUR.
CLASSROOMS AND IN OUR SCHOOLS TO HELP KIDS.
I'M ALSO.
AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS ROSALVA VILLANUEVA.
I AM A MOTHER, A GRANDMOTHER,
AND A 25 YEAR, 25 YEAR TEACHER.
FROM LOS ANGELES, AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, MY NAME IS MARGO ENGELS.
I HAVE.
HAVE BEEN REGISTERED.
DEMOCRAT IN THIS GREAT STATE FOR 45 YEARS.
STILL AM PROUD MOTHER AND ALLY
OF A GAY SON AND PUBLIC
SCHOOL TEACHER AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
ELIZABETH CRONIN.
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT FROM SAN FRANCISCO AND 35 YEAR
MEMBER OF CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
I OPPOSE THIS BILL AND I WILL NOT LIE TO PARENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME.
IS BRANDY.
WOODS.
I'M A MOTHER OF SIX.
GRANDMOTHER OF FIVE.
I'M A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST.
I'M A MEMBER AND I REPRESENT.
THIS IS PENTECOST FELLOWSHIP, MEMORIES MINISTRIES,
AND WE WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M STEPHANIE DEGRAY.
I'M A MOTHER.
I'M A GRANDMOTHER.
I'M A LICENSED REGISTERED PEDIATRIC NURSE.
I'M HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR CALIFORNIA
NURSES UNITED AND TAKE A STAND.
STANISLAUS.
AND WE OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, I'M STEVEN BARRAZA.
I'M A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE GAY COMMUNITY.
I'M AGAINST THE CLASSROOM TO GENDER CLINIC PIPELINE,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
MY NAME IS JOSH FULFER.
I'M A FATHER OF THREE AND
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE HAVING A NICE DAY.
MY NAME IS JAMES HOKE.
FATHER, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE,
AMERICAN AND A CHILD OF GOD.
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
MY NAME IS JESSICA.
TAPIA, AND I'M THE CALIFORNIA TEACHER WHO WAS
FIRED FOR REFUSING TO LIE TO STUDENTS,
TO LIE TO PARENTS, AND TO MYSELF.
I NEVER HAD A TRANSGENDER STUDENT IN MY CLASS,
YET WAS TERMINATED ON HOW I WOULD HYPOTHETICALLY
BE HONEST WITH STUDENTS.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
NO TESTIFYING, MA'AM.
AGAIN, NAME, AFFILIATION, POSITION ON THE BILL
TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE ELSE'S TIME.
I'M MIKE GREER.
I'M A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FROM DEL NORTE COUNTY.
I'M ON THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR
THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION.
I'M A DIRECTOR, ONE, UH,
FOR HUMBOLDT LAKE AND SO FORTH.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS.
I WAS A CTA UNION PRESIDENT.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS TIM THOMPSON.
I'M A FATHER, A GRANDFATHER,
THE SENIOR PASTOR OF 412 CHURCH IN TEMECULA
VALLEY AND THE FOUNDER OF OUR WATCH
STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THIS BILL.
HI, I'M DELILAH EPPERSON,
CANDIDATE FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 30,
FOUNDER OF MONTEREY BAY,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY.
AND WE ALL STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS FAYE SMITH FROM MONTEREY COUNTY.
AND I OPPOSE.
THIS BILL.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS AMANDA COVINGTON.
FROM SAN MATEO COUNTY.
I'M A LONG TERM LESBIAN ACTIVIST.
I OPPOSE THIS BILL AS A MEMBER OF WOMEN
ARE REAL WOMEN'S DECLARATION,
INDEPENDENCE AND PROTECT KIDS.
CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, MARGARET RADER, MOTHER, FORMER DEMOCRAT.
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MILLIONS
OF LOVING MOTHERS AND FATHERS
WHO CANNOT BE HERE TODAY TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHT,
TO PROTECT AND PARENT THEIR
CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE
WORKING TO SUPPORT AND CARING FOR THOSE CHILDREN,
INCLUDING ARTHUR MARK, CHARLOTTE JOHNSON,
AUDRA STERRETT, AMY RUSH, KATHERINE BLANKENBURG,
JOHN BURKE,
RACHEL CALIFON, SARAH WOLF, SHERRI PORTER,
CHARLENE WILSON,
LAURA DIXON, BETH BOURNE, RICK MORTENSEN,
NICOLE YOUNG,
WHO'S ALSO THE CHAPTER CHAIR OF
PLACER COUNTY MOMS FOR LIBERTY.
WENDY BIEL, KAREN FROST,
CHAPTER CHAIR OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOMS OF LIBERTY,
ROBERT WONKA AND WONKA, GENEVIEVE PELOSI,
CHRIS PELOSI, ALICIA CONTRERAS,
HERNAN CONTRERAS, ANGIE MANCHESTER,
SANTIAGO'S MANCHESTER
AND JESSICA ANDERSON UNITED IN
RESOLUTE OBJECTION TO AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
HI, MY NAME IS AMY ANDERSON.
I LIVE IN SACRAMENTO AND I'M THE MOTHER OF FIVE NOW,
A FORMER DEMOCRAT,
AND I'M HERE AS A MEMBER OF
WOMEN ARE REAL AND ANOTHER
ADVOCACY GROUP FOR WOMEN IN SACRAMENTO.
AND I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER,
AND WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HI, I'M JULIE LANE.
A FORMER DEMOCRAT.
FROM SAN FRANCISCO AND A BIG LESBIAN.
I'M HERE WITH WOMEN ARE REAL,
THE COALITION OF SANE PEOPLE,
ELLEN PAGE AND ALL THE LOST LESBIANS.
AND THE JOINT TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING
CRAVEN POLITICIANS,
DAMAGING FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY ROB AND MIA.
BONTA AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS GUT AND AMEND 1955.
YOU'RE.
HI, I'M ELLEN DANIK.
I'M HERE AS THE PRESIDENT OF COLORADANS FOR
SANITY IN THE CALIFORNIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
AND WE OPPOSE THIS BILL.
HELLO.
ALI NOVELLO.
CO-FOUNDER.
OF REALITY.
ENCOMPASSED VALUES FOR OUR WOMEN AND.
OUR GIRLS.
STRONG OPPOSITION.
ALLISON, SANTA ANA, MOTHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS,
MEMBER OF WOMEN'S DECLARATION,
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S LIBERATION FRONT
AND THE COALITION OF SANE PEOPLE,
AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
I.
HI, I'M JENNIFER FOOTE, I'M AN EDUCATION
SPECIALIST AND FEDERALLY
MANDATED TO REPORT ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
CONDITIONS PER IEPS.
I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
I'M CATHY MCKNIGHT.
I'M THE STATE LEADER OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD.
COALITION.
AND I'M REPRESENTING ALL OF OUR MEMBERS
IN CALIFORNIA IN OPPOSING
A BILL THAT'S DANGEROUS TO ALL CHILDREN,
INCLUDING TRANS CHILDREN.
I AM NINA LOCHER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF YOLO COUNTY AND A.
PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR.
I ABSOLUTELY OPPOSE THIS BILL
THAT DECEIVES FAMILIES.
THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS THEA BLAIR FROM DAVIS, CALIFORNIA.
I AM A MOTHER OF TWO, A BOY AND A GIRL.
AND I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT THAT IS.
I WAS A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT UNTIL A YEAR AGO.
I'M A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER,
AND I HIGHLY OPPOSE THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
GREG BURT, VICE.
PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA.
FAMILY COUNCIL, IN STRONG OPPOSITION.
MIYAMOTO IS LORRAINE DANIELA,
ALIAS CARDINALE DE BOHORQUEZ,
HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING
AFFILIATED GROUPS AS FOLLOWS NINTH,
10TH AND 11TH GENERATION CALIFORNIANS
FROM THE DE ANZA EXPEDITION.
FOURTH GENERATION MEDITERRANEAN FAMILIES
FROM THE ISLA DE FEMINAE.
FAMILIES FROM THE SLOVENIAN HALL
A PORTION OF ITALIAN, FILIPINO,
MEXICAN MIXED RACE EUROPEAN FAMILIES FROM
THE DIOCESAN APPEAL OF STOCKTON.
I'M AN AFFILIATED MEMBER OF THE LEGION OF
MARY FAMILIES FROM SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
VICTIM WITNESS A PORTION OF THE FAMILIES
FROM THE LODI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
FAMILIES FROM SAINT LUKE'S CATHOLIC
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I'M A MOTHER OF FOUR SALVADORIAN
MIXED RACE DAUGHTERS,
A CERTIFIED OSHA HAZWOPER SITE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER,
AND WITH A LOVING AND HUMBLE HEART.
WE'RE ALL IN STRONG, FERVENT OPPOSITION
OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1955.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
LEGISLATORS.
DAVID BULLDOG OF THE SSP ALLIANCE,
THE LA COUNTY CHAPTER OF MOMS FOR LIBERTY,
INFORMED ALHAMBRA NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE 40TH ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT FOR SANE LEGISLATION, TRUTH EXCHANGE,
TAXPAYER OVERSIGHTS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS,
PARENTS AGAINST PERVASIVE OBSCENITY
IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES,
GOAT GOVERNMENTS, GOAT FARMERS FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT,
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERAPY.
FIRST, A GROUP OF THERAPISTS AROUND THE WORLD
THAT ADVOCATE FOR THERAPY BEFORE AFFIRMATION.
WE'RE ALL IN OPPOSITION.
THANK YOU.
ETHAN LEE.
ON BEHALF OF.
MYSELF, I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
MY NAME, LIAM FROM ORANGE COUNTY WITH, UH,
THE GROUP, UH, MAKE CALIFORNIA GO AGAIN.
I URGE YOU GUYS TO VOTE NO ON AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
MOVE THE BILL.
ALL RIGHT.
MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
UH, LET ME BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE
FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
MR.
ALVAREZ.
AW, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, FOR YOUR, UM.
FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE LISTEN TO ALL.
COMMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE,
I'D LIKE TO ASK THE AUTHOR ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT WAS THAT I HEARD IN THE TESTIMONY
AND ASKED FOR A RESPONSE.
AS A AS A PARENT OF TWO YOUNG KIDS,
SOMETHING THAT I HEARD THAT I THOUGHT
WAS IMPORTANT THAT THAT, UH.
THAT WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
UM, THERE WAS AN ASSERTION MADE,
AND MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD,
BUT I THINK IT'D BE GOOD FOR YOU
TO CLARIFY THAT YOUR BILL WOULD REQUIRE THAT,
UM, TEACHERS WOULD HAVE TO LIE TO PARENTS.
I HEARD THAT, UM, A COUPLE OF TIMES,
AND SO I'D LIKE YOU TO RESPOND TO THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, WELL,
LET'S SAY SOME BROADER OPINION,
I SUPPOSE, FOR MANY OF THE CLAIMS THAT WERE MADE.
BUT ON THAT QUESTION, UH, IT'S CATEGORICALLY FALSE.
THE TEACHERS UNDER THIS BILL
SHALL NOT BE COMPELLED TO
HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE HEARING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS USE JUDGMENT,
AND THAT'S SUPPORTED BY A LOT OF RESEARCH,
SURVEYS OF AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS,
AND THAT JUDGMENT LENDS THEM,
FIRST OF ALL, ONE, NOTHING.
AND IN FACT, IT IS MEMORIALIZED IN THE BILL.
TWO UM, SHOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH STATE
OR FEDERAL LAW AS MANDATED REPORTERS,
IF YOU SEE ISSUES OF DECLINE,
WHETHER IT'S ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY OR,
YOU KNOW OTHER OTHERWISE,
THAT THERE IS A NECESSITY TO BE ABLE
TO HAVE BROADER CONVERSATIONS,
TO REALLY, UM, CIRCLE A LOVING
NETWORK AROUND THAT YOUTH,
UH, THAT CAN BE ABLE TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE TOTALITY
OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT BE AT PLAY HERE.
BUT THAT SAID, IF YOU'RE COMING IN FOR
A PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE AND,
UH, A TEACHER OR A PARENT SAYS,
YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK
MY CHILD MIGHT BE TRANSGENDER?
UM, IT IS UP TO THE TEACHER TO BE
ABLE TO HAVE THAT DISCRETION.
THE TEACHER IS NOT COMPELLED TO DO SO.
WERE THIS TO BE LAW, BUT THROUGH THAT DISCRETION,
MAYBE YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
YOU COULD SAY, WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD
TALK TO YOUR CHILD AND YOU COULD
KIND OF LEAVE THE TEACHER OUT
OF BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANTLY, WHY WE HAD WANTED TO INTRODUCE
THIS BILL IS BECAUSE TEACHERS JUST WANT TO TEACH.
UM, I'D LIKE TO MAYBE IF I COULD
ALLOW FOR ELABORATION,
REFER TO MY TEACHER WITNESS AS WELL ON HOW
SHE MIGHT RESPOND TO SUCH A QUESTION.
OKAY, MIKE, UM, WE ACTUALLY DEALT WITH THIS.
WHERE, YOU.
KNOW, WE WERE BEING TOLD THAT WE NEEDED TO
LET PARENTS KNOW WITHIN 72 HOURS IF WE,
UM, NOTICED THAT THEIR STUDENT
WAS NON-GENDER CONFORMING.
AND THE LOGISTICS OF THAT, TO ME,
ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE 72 HOURS TO NOT
HAVE ANY BACKGROUND IN HOW TO RELAY
THIS INFORMATION TO FAMILIES.
THIS IS A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC
TO TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT,
AND THEN TO BE GIVEN THE DIRECTIVE
THAT WHEN WE DO THAT,
WE CAN DO IT BY EMAIL,
WE CAN DO IT IN A LETTER HOME,
OR WE CAN DO IT IN A PHONE CALL HOME.
AS A PARENT MYSELF, I CAN'T IMAGINE RECEIVING
THAT LETTER OR THAT PHONE CALL IN THAT WAY.
I, AS AN ENGLISH TEACHER, DO NOT HAVE
THE ABILITY TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
THESE SENSITIVE TOPICS ARE OUTSIDE
OF MY PURVIEW OF TEACHING ENGLISH,
AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO THE STUDENT OR
THE PARENT FOR ME TO BE THE GO BETWEEN THERE.
AND THAT'S HOW MOST OF OUR TEACHERS FEEL.
WE DID A SURVEY WITH OUR TEACHERS
AND THEY ALL FEEL THE MAJORITY.
I WON'T SAY ALL, BUT THE MAJORITY,
93% FEEL THE SAME WAY.
CAN I INTERJECT FOR CLARITY, PLEASE?
LET'S GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY TO,
TO TO COMPLETE THE COMMENTS
AND WE'LL GIVE YOU AN THANK YOU.
IF I COULD ADD AS WELL.
AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT TO THIS
BILL IS THE FOURTH PROVISION
THAT ALSO REQUIRES PROACTIVE RESOURCES,
SO THAT IF THERE IS SOME TENSION
THERE AND YOU'RE NOT SURE
WHETHER OR NOT SHARING THIS
INFORMATION IS SMART, UM,
YOU CAN REFER, UH, INDIVIDUALS TO OTHER
RESOURCES THAT ARE COMMUNITY BASED,
WHETHER IT'S PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
OR COUNSELING SERVICES OR,
YOU KNOW, A MENU OF OPTIONS TO BE ABLE
TO HAVE THAT THAT CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
COULD I ADD, AS A TEACHER.
SORRY AS WELL.
YES.
UH, YOU TURN ON YOUR MICROPHONE.
THE TEACHER WAS NEVER REQUIRED TO
TELL THE PARENT THAT WAS ADMIN,
WHO GOES THROUGH TRAINING TO BE ABLE TO
HAVE THESE KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS.
AND NUMBER TWO, WHAT HAPPENS IN A CLASSROOM
WHERE THE CHILD ALREADY SAID THEY
WANTED TO BE IDENTIFIED AS ANOTHER GENDER
AND THE PARENT JUST SHOWS UP,
OR AN AWARD CEREMONY, ARE WE GOING TO FORCE
THE KID TO HAVE TWO DIFFERENT IDENTITIES?
ONE AT SCHOOL, ONE AT HOME?
IS THE TEACHER GOING TO ASK
THE OTHER CHILDREN TO LIE AND SAY,
WHEN THIS PERSON'S PARENTS COME OR GRANDPARENTS,
YOU'RE TO REFER BACK TO THEM TO THEIR BIRTH NAME.
THAT'S THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT CREATES
A LOT OF STRESS ON A CHILD.
AND AND AGAIN, I WANT TO REITERATE,
WE HAD A CURRENT A PREVIOUS
POLICY THAT KEPT SECRETS ONLY IN REGARDS TO THIS.
AND YOU AS A PARENT, I WOULD NEVER AS
A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I WOULD NEVER,
EVER WANT SOMEBODY TO KEEP SOMETHING LIKE THAT,
THAT SENSITIVE.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN
THE ADMIN GOES TO SIT WITH THE CHILD,
WHEN THEY WANT TO CHANGE THAT UNOFFICIAL
OR OFFICIAL RECORD,
THEY ASK, DOES YOUR PARENTS KNOW?
KNOW WHY ARE YOU IN HARM?
ARE YOU ARE YOU GOING TO BE HARMED?
ARE YOU IN TROUBLE?
AT THAT POINT, THE CHILD IS ABLE TO SAY
IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE HARMED OR THEY
THINK THEIR PARENTS ARE GOING TO HURT
THEM AND WE GET THEM THE HELP,
HOW ARE WE ALL GOING TO SIT
UP HERE AND SAY THAT THESE
KIDS ARE GOING TO BE ABUSED
AND NOT HAVE ANY POLICIES
IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE
KIDS THAT ARE GETTING
ABUSED ARE PUT IN A SAFE SPACE, A SAFE SPACE.
THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
SO I WANT TO SAY THAT AS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER,
I HAVE BEEN ASKED IN EMAIL FORM,
ALONG WITH MANY OTHER TEACHERS,
TO HIDE A STUDENT'S IDENTITY THAT IS
IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD AT SCHOOL,
BUT UNKNOWN TO THE PARENT.
SO IN WE USE ARIES AND ARIES
IS WHERE WE TAKE ATTENDANCE.
STUDENTS NEW NAME AND OFTEN GENDER ARE IN
THERE WITHOUT THE PARENTS KNOWLEDGE.
SO AS ALSO A PARENT OF A FORMERLY
TRANS IDENTIFIED CHILD,
I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT I AS A PARENT,
IF I KNEW THAT THE TEACHER OR THE SCHOOL WERE
SOCIALLY AFFIRMING MY CHILD'S TRANS IDEATION,
I WOULD HAVE THE MEANS TO SUE THAT SCHOOL.
AND I WOULD ALSO BE VERY, VERY UPSET BECAUSE SOCIAL
TRANSITION OF A CHILD IS NOT A NEUTRAL ACT.
THE STUDIES AND THE EVIDENCE POINT TO SOCIAL
TRANSITION OF A CHILD BY ALL OF THEIR PEERS,
AND ALL OF THEIR TEACHERS AT SCHOOL CAN KEEP THEM.
THINKING ABOUT AND BELIEVING THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG
WITH THEIR BODY FOR FAR LONGER THAN THEY NEED TO.
MA'AM, I'M GOING TO CAUTION
YOU THAT THERE'S NOTHING IN
THE BILL THAT CALLS FOR ANY GENDER
TRANSITIONING TREATMENT.
UM, AND.
SIR.
THAT'S YOUR FIRST WARNING.
OH, MA'AM, YOU'RE YOUR FIRST WARNING.
UM.
UH, PLEASE ABSTAIN FROM DISRUPTING THE HEARING,
OR I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU TO BE ESCORTED OUT.
MAY I FINISH?
OKAY.
SO.
THE BILL SAYS THAT THE SCHOOL OR, UM, DOES.
I'M NOT SURE, BUT IS NOT, UM,
DOES NOT HAVE TO TELL THE PARENTS.
BUT IF A CHILD GOES TO A TEACHER
OR A COUNSELOR AND SAYS,
I WANT TO CHANGE MY NAME AND PRONOUNS NOW,
PERHAPS 1500 MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL WILL KNOW,
BUT THE ONE PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY
THAT WON'T KNOW ARE THE PARENTS.
WHETHER THESE AND WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT THE PARENTS AND WE'RE
JUST GOING ON WHAT THE CHILD SAYS,
THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING.
SO WE NEED TO REALLY, REALLY EDUCATE
OURSELVES ON WHAT SOCIAL.
TRANSITION MEANS AT SCHOOL.
THANK YOU.
CAN I NOW?
CAN I?
OH.
I'M SORRY.
CAN I ADDRESS THE HARM COMPONENT?
UM, I KNOW THAT, UH,
MISS SHAW MADE A COMMENT THAT, YOU KNOW,
IF A STUDENT SAYS THEY'RE AT RISK AT HOME,
WE CALL AND WE GET THEM HELP, AND WE CALL CPS.
AND I WANT TO FIRST MAKE SURE TO MAKE IT CLEAR
THAT I ALSO WAS AN EDUCATOR FOR 14 YEARS.
I'M FULLY CREDENTIALED.
I HAVE TAUGHT ELEMENTARY HIGH SCHOOL,
AND I'VE DONE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
UM, SO I WAS A MANDATED REPORTER
FOR MANY, MANY YEARS,
AND YOU CANNOT PREEMPTIVELY
CALL CPS TO GET THEM HELP.
AND THE FACT THAT THAT IS THE OUT FOR THAT,
YOU'RE PLACING THESE KIDS IN A POSITION TO
EITHER HAVE CPS CALLED ON THEIR PARENTS,
WHICH UNFORTUNATELY MIGHT NOT RESULT IN ACTUALLY
GETTING THEM HELP OR GO IN THE CLOSET.
AND FURTHERMORE, WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING
THE 12 STUDENTS WHO
WERE OUTED WHILE THE POLICY
WAS IN PLACE IN CHINO, UM,
THE STUDENTS WHO CAME OUT WITHOUT INCIDENT,
MOST OF THOSE STUDENTS,
IF NOT ALL, ALREADY HAD HOMES THAT
KNEW OF THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
SO THOSE STUDENTS WERE NOT BEING OUTED,
AND IN FACT, STUDENTS COULD TAKE IT BACK.
SO IF A STUDENT SAID,
I WANT TO GO BY THIS NAME OR THIS GENDER,
THEY WERE THEN TOLD, HEY,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TELL YOUR PARENTS.
SO YOU HAVE THREE DAYS AND THAT
STUDENT CAN TAKE IT BACK.
AND IN FACT, MISS SHAW HERSELF WAS SPEAKING
PUBLICLY THIS WEEKEND AND SAID THAT ONE OF
THE STUDENTS DID WALK IT BACK AND TAKE IT BACK,
AND THAT WAS SEEN AS A POSITIVE OUTCOME.
WHAT WE ARE DOING, I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM
REALLY CARES ABOUT KIDS AND THEIR SAFETY,
AND SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO
SEPARATE OUR FEELINGS FROM THE FACTS.
AND THE FACT IS THAT WHEN YOU PUT FORCED
OUTING POLICIES INTO PLACE,
YOU PREVENT STUDENTS FROM GETTING ANY HELP.
THE POLICIES THAT WERE IN PLACE
BEFORE THIS WERE DESIGNED TO
BRIDGE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
THE STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS.
THEY'RE ALWAYS ENCOURAGING STUDENTS
TO GO TO THEIR PARENTS
IF THEY SAY THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE
UNDER FORCED OUTING.
HOWEVER, A STUDENT WILL TAKE IT BACK
AND THEY WILL STAY IN THE CLOSET.
THAT IS THE RESULT OF THESE POLICIES.
THOSE STUDENTS WHO TRULY ARE AT RISK AT HOME.
NO STUDENT WANTS TO BE TAKEN
OUT OF THEIR HOME BY CPS,
SO IF THEY THINK THAT IS THEIR OPTION FOR,
THEY'RE GOING TO BE.
FURTHERMORE, NOT WANTING TO COME OUT, UM,
THERE WAS HRC RELEASED SOME DATA THIS WEEK AND THEY
SAID EVEN MORE THAT QUEER STUDENTS
WHO ARE VICTIMIZED
IN SCHOOL OFTEN DON'T SEEK HELP.
ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH, 44% OF LGBTQ YOUTH
SAY THEY HAVE NOT REPORTED HARASSMENT
TO AN ADULT AT SCHOOL OUT OF FEAR THEIR
PARENTS WOULD LEARN THEIR IDENTITY.
A MAJORITY OF SEXUAL MINORITY TEEN BOYS WERE
THREATENED WITH OUTING BY PEERS, SO.
THE FACT IS, IS THAT IF WE DO
CARE ABOUT THESE STUDENTS,
FORCIBLY OUTING THEM IS GOING TO PREVENT THEM FROM
GETTING THE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT THEY MIGHT NEED.
THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
FROM THE COMMITTEE, MR.
HOOVER?
THANK YOU, MR.
WARD.
UM, A FEW QUESTIONS, AND, UH,
PLEASE BEAR WITH ME HERE.
UM, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW,
YOU'RE BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD ON
CLEARLY A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY
A LOT OF OPINIONS IN THIS ROOM.
THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF CONSIDERATIONS
FOR THIS COMMITTEE ON WHETHER
OR NOT THIS SHOULD BE WITHIN
THE PURVIEW OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS,
OR WHETHER IT SHOULD BE IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATE.
I THINK, UM, GENERALLY LIKE TO ERR
ON THE SIDE OF LOCAL CONTROL.
UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE ALSO
COMING HERE AS A PARENT,
AND YOU AND I BOTH KNOW AS PARENTS, UM,
HOW MUCH PARENTS CARE DEEPLY
ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN AND HOW
MUCH THEY WANT TO BE A PART
OF THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES.
AND SO I THINK MY MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHEN
A STUDENT IS WORKING THROUGH THESE DECISIONS,
WOULD YOU AGREE THAT, UM,
THEY NEED PEOPLE AROUND THEM TO
SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THAT?
YES.
SO I THINK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND I,
AND I UNDERSTAND,
YOU KNOW, THE, THE DETAILS
AND SPECIFICS IN THE BILL,
BUT DO YOU THINK PARENTS, TO
THE GREATEST EXTENT THAT THEY CAN,
SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM?
IN A PERFECT WORLD, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL,
BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS A PERFECT SITUATION
FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
AND AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND OBVIOUSLY WE, WE KNOW THAT, UM,
I THINK COLLECTIVELY THAT THERE ARE
OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF AMAZING PARENTS.
I WOULD SAY BY AND LARGE,
PARENTS ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
UM, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOME PARENTS
THAT AREN'T, BUT, UM,
SHOULD THEY BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BE SUPPORTIVE,
I GUESS IS MY QUESTION.
THEY ALWAYS HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
NOTHING IS PREVENTING A PARENT AND CHILD
FROM HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.
SO I GUESS MY CONCERN IS, AND, YOU KNOW,
MY OFFICE HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF
CALLS RIGHT ON FROM ALL DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES ON THIS LEGISLATION.
BUT WE'VE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF CALLS FROM PARENTS OF
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS WHO STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL,
AND THEY OPPOSE THIS BILL BECAUSE
THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED
AND TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON SO THAT
THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR CHILD.
SO I GUESS MY FEAR IS THAT WHAT
THIS BILL IS GOING TO DO IS
IT'S GOING TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS
TO BE KEPT IN THE DARK.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MAY NOT BE YOUR INTENT,
BUT THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT
I SEE THIS BILL AS ENCOURAGING.
SO HOW CAN PARENTS BEST SUPPORT
THEIR STUDENT IF THEY'RE
KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT SOMETHING
AS IMPORTANT AS THIS?
SO.
I LIKE APPLAUSE.
I'LL HAVE A RESPONSE.
AND I'D LIKE TO DEFER TO MY WITNESS.
MAYBE FOR SOME OF HER, HER PERSPECTIVE,
I THINK, YOU KNOW.
COMING OUT IS A VERY DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE.
ON TOP OF AN ALREADY DIFFICULT
TIME IN MANY YOUTHS LIVES.
IT'S NOT EASY BEING A TEENAGER, AND IT'S ESPECIALLY
NOT EASY WHEN YOU'RE WRESTLING
WITH ISSUES THAT MIGHT MAKE YOURSELF
DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE CONFLATED HERE IS THAT
SOMEHOW THIS IS PREVENTING, OBSTRUCTING,
OR OTHERWISE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO HAVE
THOSE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN A STUDENT,
A YOUTH AND THEIR PARENT.
THOSE ARE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS.
AND IN FACT, I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT THE SURVEYS,
BUT YOU CAN ALSO TELL YOU BY
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT
TO COME OUT TO YOUR PARENT.
UM, THAT IS THE PERSON, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S
A LOVING RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS THE PERSON THAT.
IT'S HOPEFULLY.
THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIVES THAT
YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE.
IT'S THE LAST PERSON THAT YOU WANT TO REJECT YOU.
AND SO SOME YOUTH.
RIGHT.
THEY THEY COME OUT TO THEIR PEERS
FIRST BECAUSE NOT THAT IT'S
MORE AN ACCEPTING OF AN ENVIRONMENT
OR YOU'RE SORT OF TESTING
WATERS AND YOU'RE YOU ARE YOU ARE
FIGURING OUT YOUR OWN IDENTITY,
BUT YOU'RE DOING SO IN A WAY THAT IS YOUR OWN.
IT'S BY PATH THAT'S OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING.
AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S AN IMPORTANT FUNDAMENTAL
HERE THAT WE TALK ABOUT,
ABOUT THE ISSUE OF PRIVACY THAT IS EMBEDDED
WITHIN AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO BE ABLE
TO COME OUT AND TO COME OUT TO WHOM AND WHEN
AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY CHOOSE.
NOW, I'M NOT I'M CISGENDER AND I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT IT'S TRULY LIKE TO BE TRANSGENDER,
BUT I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE.
AND I THINK ANOTHER ISSUE AROUND
THIS BILL IS THAT THERE
ARE SOME THAT JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE REAL.
AND I'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE NOT KNOWING THAT.
WRESTLING WITH YOUR OWN SEXUAL ORIENTATION,
THAT YOU THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT'S REAL AND NATURAL TO ME.
AND SO ALL THIS SORT OF TYING TOGETHER IS TO SAY,
AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
IT IS A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION TO HAVE,
AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THAT CAN
BE A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION,
BUT IT IS A CONVERSATION THAT THAT
PARENT AND CHILD SHOULD HAVE.
AND WE ARE TRYING TO THROUGH THIS BILL.
RECENTER THE IDEA THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD JUST
BE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE ULTIMATELY,
THAT IS THE JOB OF OUR SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE
AND THRIVING ENVIRONMENT SO THEY CAN PERFORM WELL.
AND SOME OF THAT INTERSECTS WITH.
TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT KIDS
ARE BUILT DIFFERENTLY, THAT THEY ARE REAL.
AND SO WHEN THOSE SITUATIONS ARRIVE,
HOW DO WE DESIGN SOMETHING THAT'S ABLE TO BE ABLE
TO SUPPORT THEM AND THRIVE ACADEMICALLY?
WHEN YOU ARE JUMPING AHEAD OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S.
INTEREST OR TIMELINE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
THOSE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS.
UM, IT CAN DO AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF HARM,
AND I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DEFER TO MY WITNESS,
MAYBE TO ELABORATE FURTHER.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW,
PRIMARILY, I AM A MOM,
AND I WORK WITH MOMS AND DADS ACROSS
THE STATE ALL THE TIME, AND.
AS A MOM AND AS A FORMER EDUCATOR,
I KNOW THAT MY CHILD CAN.
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION
WITH MY KID WHEN WE'RE READY?
BECAUSE I KNOW AS A MOM,
AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS A DEGREE IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT,
THAT MY CHILD AND MY RELATIONSHIP
WILL BE STRONGER IF I LET THEM
COME TO ME WHEN THEY'RE READY
VERSUS BEING FORCIBLY OUTED.
THIS IS JUST THE FACT WE KNOW THAT FORCIBLY
OUTING KIDS IS DETRIMENTAL
TO THE CHILD AND TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR KID.
AND SO AS A PARENT, I WANT
THE RIGHT TO ALLOW MY CHILD
THE SPACE TO COME TO ME WHEN THEY FEEL SAFE.
AND IF YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED LOVING SOMEBODY
WHO'S IN THE PROCESS OF COMING OUT,
I MEAN, THEY'RE ALWAYS COMING OUT.
SO MANY CHILDREN WILL COME OUT TO ONE
PARENT AND THEN ANOTHER A YEAR
LATER OR MORE AS THEY BECOME MORE
COMFORTABLE WHO THEY ARE.
BUT KIDS WANT THEIR PARENTS
LOVE MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE,
SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY MIGHT TEST
THE WATERS WITH THEIR FRIENDS AT SCHOOL.
THEY'RE DOING THAT CONSTANTLY WITH WHO THEY ARE,
FIGURING OUT WHO THEY ARE.
THAT'S PART OF BEING AN ADOLESCENCE AND GROWING UP,
AND MY RIGHT IS TO ALLOW MY CHILD THAT SPACE
TO DO THAT SO WE CAN DEVELOP A STRONG RELATIONSHIP
AS A MOM AND A DAUGHTER OR A MOM AND MY SON.
THAT IS MY RIGHT TO DO THAT.
AND IF YOU TAKE THAT SAFE SPACE AWAY FROM MY CHILD,
I WANT THEM TO HAVE THAT SAFE SPACE.
AND I TRUST THE SCHOOL BECAUSE
I AM IN THE SCHOOL ALL THE TIME.
I AM TALKING TO THE TEACHERS ALL THE TIME,
AND I WANT MY CHILD TO HAVE THAT SPACE TO FEEL SAFE,
BECAUSE I ALSO KNOW THAT THE MORE
ADULTS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
IN MY CHILDREN'S LIVES WHERE THEY FEEL SAFE TO TALK.
THEY HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR THEMSELVES,
FOR THEIR SENSE OF WELLBEING AND FOR FOR THEIR LIFE.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD A CLOSING
THOUGHT ABOUT THAT TOO,
BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED BEING BEING PARENTS.
AND IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, I KNOW YOURS ARE JUST
A LITTLE BIT OLDER THAN MINE ON THE RANGE.
I'M ENTERING PRE-TEEN YEARS.
UM.
IT'S TOUGH.
UM.
IT'S VERY.
HARD TO STAY CONNECTED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.
AND WE'RE TRYING, AS PARENTS, SO HARD.
MAYBE IT'S NOT EASY,
CERTAINLY WITH THE DEMANDS OF OUR JOBS.
UM, BUT BUT WE'RE DOING OUR BEST.
BUT ULTIMATELY I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
SHE IS DOING VERY WELL AT SCHOOL.
I CAN TELL SHE'S HAPPY AT SCHOOL, AND I CAN TELL
THAT SHE'S LEARNING AND SHE'S THRIVING,
AND I HAVE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF
TRUST FOR THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
AND IT'S ON ME TO BUILD A BETTER
RELATIONSHIP WITH MY KID.
AND I'M ALWAYS TRYING.
AND THAT'S, I THINK, THE DISTINCTION
THAT I SEE HERE,
THAT WE SHOULD BE FROM AN EDUCATION POLICY,
YOU KNOW, SORT OF ALIGNING WITH ASSEMBLYMAN HOOVER.
MAY I SAY SOMETHING?
UH.
I THINK LET'S JUST I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD.
GO AHEAD.
WHEN THE NOTIFICATION THROUGH THE.
SHARE WHEN.
THE NOTIFICATIONS WENT OUT,
WE ALSO OFFERED COUNSELING TO ENSURE
THAT PARENTS AND THE CHILD BOTH HAD THE SUPPORT THEY
NEEDED IF THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO
HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ALONE,
AND IF THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
WE ALSO CONTINUED TO OFFER FREE
SUPPORT FOR BOTH OF THEM,
SO IT GAVE THEM THE RESOURCES THAT I WOULD THINK
THAT ANY PARENT WOULD BE APPRECIATIVE.
AND WE ACTUALLY HAD PARENTS THANK US FOR THOSE
RESOURCES THAT WERE GIVEN TO THEM IN THAT.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER WITHOUT DUE PROCESS,
THE 14TH AMENDMENT,
PARENTS SHOULDN'T BE DEEMED
DANGEROUS TO THEIR CHILDREN
WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THAT DUE PROCESS.
THANK YOU.
UM, ASSEMBLY MEMBER I CAN HEAR
THE PASSION IN YOUR VOICE, AND AND I,
I RESONATE WITH THAT BECAUSE
I THINK AND I WOULD ASSUME THAT
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN
THIS ROOM FEEL THAT PASSION,
TOO, FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND WANT TO
BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.
AND I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES
TO THE WITNESS THAT YOU BRING UP,
AND I FULLY APPRECIATE YOU WANTING YOUR
CHILD TO HAVE THIS SAFE SPACE.
WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR
KIDS MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS
WHERE PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED TO GIVE GUIDANCE.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
UH, YOU KNOW, IN THE CASE OF TEENAGERS ESPECIALLY,
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STUDENTS WHO DON'T ALWAYS KNOW
WHAT THE RIGHT DECISION IS AND NEED GUIDANCE,
WHETHER IT'S ON DRUGS,
WHETHER IT'S ON, UH, YOU KNOW,
FIGURING OUT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OTHER PEERS.
I MEAN, THERE ARE A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS
WHERE I THINK WE WOULD SAY THAT
I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO WAIT FOR
MY CHILD TO COME TO ME WITH THAT.
I WANT TO I WANT A TEACHER.
AND IN MANY CASES, TEACHERS WILL INFORM PARENTS
THAT THEIR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL.
THEIR CHILD IS STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY.
THEY WANT TO ENGAGE PARENTS,
BRING THEM IN TO HELP SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THAT.
AND SO THAT IS MY MY CONCERN WITH
THIS BILL RIGHT NOW IS THAT IT
ALMOST MAKES THIS ASSUMPTION THAT
PARENTS WILL NOT DO THAT.
AND I THINK THAT IS, UH, AS A FORM OF PUBLIC POLICY,
NOT THE DIRECTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GO.
BUT I WILL SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE HERE,
BECAUSE I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING,
UH, TO CLEAR UP.
WHAT?
SOMETHING YOU SAID EARLIER IN RESPONSE
TO MY COLLEAGUE'S QUESTION.
SO JUST SO I'M CLEAR, IS IT YOUR TESTIMONY
THAT THIS BILL WOULD NOT PROHIBIT
INFORMATION FROM BEING SHARED TO
A PARENT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS?
THAT IS CORRECT.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE BILL DOES NOT DO THAT.
THERE IS.
YOU SOME JUDGMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE AFFORDED.
OKAY.
SO SO JUST FOR EXAMPLE, IF A TEACHER ADMINISTRATOR
INDEPENDENTLY HAS INFORMATION,
CHOOSES TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION
ABOUT A STUDENT TO THEIR PARENTS.
IS, WILL THAT BE ALLOWABLE UNDER THIS BILL?
YES.
OKAY.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THAT,
YOU KNOW, ON RECORD,
WE WE KNOW THAT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT
THE BILL ATTEMPTS TO, TO TAKE AWAY.
UH, SO I ASSUME IN THE SAME WAY,
I KNOW THERE'S A PROVISION IN THIS BILL THAT TALKS
ABOUT RETALIATION CANNOT COME TO THOSE
WHO CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE INFORMATION.
CORRECT.
I BELIEVE THAT'S IN THE LEGISLATION.
SO IN THE SAME WAY, YOU KNOW,
THERE WON'T BE RETALIATION TO TEACHERS
WHO CHOOSE OR ADMINISTRATORS WHO
CHOOSE TO SHARE INFORMATION.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THESE LAWSUITS,
AND THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING,
BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WOULDN'T
BE RETALIATION IN THOSE CASES EITHER.
THE WELL, THE LAWSUITS HAVE DEMONSTRATED
AND UPHELD THE INDIVIDUAL'S UM,
POSITION AND AND RESTITUTION IS AFFORDED.
SO I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR HOW
THE LAW IS INTERPRETED ON THIS QUESTION.
OKAY.
SO I THINK MY LAST LINE OF QUESTIONING,
I JUST I WANT TO I REALLY WANT
TO DIVE INTO AND FIGURE OUT.
YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THE TESTIMONY
OF YOUR WITNESSES, BUT.
WHERE IS THE LINE BETWEEN SHARING WITH PARENTS
AND ACTIVELY HIDING INFORMATION FROM PARENTS?
AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE I STILL
HAVE A LOT OF KIND OF QUESTIONS.
SO JUST TO CONSIDER A SCENARIO AND
I THINK THIS WAS SOMEWHAT SPOKEN TO,
BUT I WANT TO GET A LITTLE MORE CLARITY ON IT.
SO HYPOTHETICALLY, IF A STUDENT HAS CHANGED
THEIR NAME AND THEIR GENDER IDENTITY AT
SCHOOL AND THEIR TEACHER IS
AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION,
BUT THE PARENTS ARE NOT,
AND THEY ENTER INTO A PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE,
HOW IS THAT TEACHER GOING TO REFER TO THAT
CHILD IN THAT PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE IF THEY,
YOU KNOW, IS IT PER THESE CHANGES?
IS IT PER, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT INFORMATION?
I MEAN, WHAT WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO WHAT IS
THE TEACHER SUPPOSED TO DO IN THAT SITUATION.
COULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE, YOUR CHILD IS DOING
VERY WELL AND NEEDS TO IMPROVE IN MATH.
SO BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I MEAN,
I THINK WE'VE PROBABLY BOTH BEEN IN PARENT
TEACHER CONFERENCES THERE QUITE
A BIT MORE PERSONAL THAN THAT.
YOU KNOW, THEY DIVE INTO PRONOUNS
ARE OBVIOUSLY TALKED ABOUT,
NAMES ARE MENTIONED.
HOW IS A TEACHER SUPPOSED TO REFER
TO THAT CHILD IN THOSE MOMENTS?
CAN I SAY THIS IS, FIRST OF ALL,
AN INCREDIBLY RARE CASE WHEN THAT WOULD HAPPEN.
BUT I KNOW TEACHERS WHO TELL ME WHO WROTE.
THE BILL, HIM OR YOU.
SO.
SO EXCUSE ME.
SO, SO JUST JUST TO CLARIFY,
UH, WE'RE IN PARENT TEACHER
CONFERENCES EVERY YEAR WITH OUR KIDS TEACHERS.
SO I, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SAY
IT'S A RARE CIRCUMSTANCES,
IT'S A RARE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE WHERE THEY.
A PARENT WOULD NOT KNOW THE PRONOUN BEING USED.
YOU'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT
AN INCREDIBLY RARE CIRCUMSTANCE.
UM, FURTHERMORE, YOU KNOW, I WOULD REFER TO HER,
TOO, BUT I CAN TELL YOU,
I HAVE TEACHERS WHO WILL TELL
ME THEY WILL USE GENERALIZED
PRONOUNS AND WHEN THEY GO TO THOSE SCENARIOS.
BUT THOSE SCENARIOS ARE SO RARE THAT I COULD
NOT EVEN POINT TO VERY MANY OF THEM.
AS A CURRENT TEACHER.
COULD I REFUTE THAT POINT?
THIS IS NOT MR..
HOOPER WANTS THROUGH.
THE CHAIR.
YES.
THAT'S SO.
THAT IS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE.
EVERY YEAR I HAVE MORE
AND MORE STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY
BY A DIFFERENT NAME AND PRONOUNS AT SCHOOL.
AND MOSTLY THESE ARE YOUNG LESBIAN STUDENTS WHO
ARE AFRAID AND HAVE AN INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA.
AND DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THEIR
FEMALE TO FEMALE ATTRACTION.
AND VERY FEW TEACHERS HAVE BEEN LGBT ACTIVISTS,
AS I HAVE BEEN AND UNDERSTAND.
THAT GENDER DYSPHORIA AND BODY
DYSMORPHIA AND DISASSOCIATION.
DISSOCIATION FROM THE BODY.
THAT IS THE SECOND.
TIME I'M GOING TO ASK THE SERGEANT TO
ESCORT YOU OUT OF THE HEARING ROOM.
THANK YOU.
PLEASE PROCEED.
OKAY.
SO MANY OF OUR DAUGHTERS AND OUR SONS ARE
STRUGGLING WITH OTHER THINGS GOING ON,
WHICH IS WHAT I SPOKE ABOUT.
THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES HERE.
SOME OF IT IS SOCIETAL HOMOPHOBIA.
SOMETIMES IT IS INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA.
AND AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSED,
IT CAN BE REALLY,
REALLY DIFFICULT AS A YOUNG PERSON
REALIZING THAT YOU ARE SAME SEX
ATTRACTED AND NOW YOU MAY BE BOMBARDED
ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH,
WELL, PERHAPS YOUR BODY IS WRONG
AND THAT'S THE ISSUE,
THAT YOU'RE REALLY NOT A YOUNG LESBIAN,
BUT YOU'RE MALE.
THANK YOU.
AND AND SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO REALLY
UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANS
IDEATION IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND WHAT
IT IS TO COME OUT AS A GAY PERSON.
I DON'T KNOW IF A STUDENT IS TRULY GAY.
I CAN ONLY GUESS IT'S NOT MY JOB
OR BUSINESS TO KNOW THAT.
AND WE DON'T.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT OUTING GAY STUDENTS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STUDENTS WHO ARE CHOOSING
A NEW NAME AND PRONOUN AT SCHOOL,
WHERE EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY
KNOWS EXCEPT THE PARENTS,
AND OFTEN THE PARENT IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS THE CHILD,
THE BEST AND UNDERSTANDS POSSIBLE FORMER TRAUMA THAT
HAPPENED TO THEIR KIDS OR WHAT THE REASONS MIGHT BE.
BUT WE HAVE TO BRING THAT PARENT INTO IT.
THANK YOU.
UM, I JUST WANT TO ASK JUST GO BACK TO
A QUESTION OF THE WITNESS, BECAUSE,
YOU KNOW THIS YOU MENTIONED USING GENERALIZED
PRONOUNS IN THESE SITUATIONS.
IS IT YOUR TYPICAL PRACTICE TO USE GENERALIZED
PRONOUNS ON ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS?
MY TYPICAL PRACTICE IS I HAVE NEVER,
EVER HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPEN WITH A WITH A PARENT.
I'VE NEVER HAD TO SIT DOWN WITH A PARENT
AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
WHAT WHAT I AM DEALING WITH AT MY
SITE IS THESE HYPOTHETICALS.
I DON'T HAVE A STUDENT IN MY CLASS CURRENTLY
THAT'S DEALING WITH THIS.
I HAD A STUDENT AT ONE POINT
WHOSE PARENT KNEW OF THEIR,
UM, TRANSGENDER SITUATION.
AND SO THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS BEING HAD THERE.
I THINK GRACE NEEDS TO HAPPEN ON BOTH SIDES,
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES.
INSTEAD OF FORCING US TO OUT OUR STUDENTS,
IT GIVES GRACE TO BOTH SIDES SO THAT WE AS
TEACHERS CAN TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT IT.
IF THAT CHILD THINKS THAT THEY'RE
READY TO TELL THE PARENT,
AND IF WE SEE SOMETHING AND THAT WE KNOW
THAT IT'S A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM.
I DEAL WITH ALT ED STUDENTS.
MOST OF MY STUDENTS AREN'T EVEN HOMED BY A PARENT.
THEY ARE NOT WITH BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.
SO TO PUT THEM IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT,
WHERE I AM WRITING A LETTER HOME TO THEIR,
YOU KNOW, WHOEVER THEY'RE STAYING WITH,
THEIR TEMPORARY GUARDIAN,
THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IN SO MANY,
SO MANY WAYS FOR THOSE STUDENTS.
AND WE KNOW THE STATISTICS ABOUT, UM,
STUDENTS THAT ARE HOMELESS LIVE
AMONG THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY,
AND IT'S BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE FOR THEM
TO TELL CERTAIN PEOPLE IN THEIR HOME.
ABOUT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
THANK YOU.
I'VE GOT TO INTERJECT FOR A MOMENT HERE.
WE'VE SPENT AN HOUR AND 40 MINUTES ON THIS BILL.
WE HAVE 20 MORE BILLS TO GO.
I ENCOURAGE THIS COMMITTEE TO KEEP COMMENTS,
QUESTIONS CONCISE,
ALL THE WITNESSES SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ON.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
IF I MAY, I'LL CLOSE MY MY COMMENTS
IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSES.
LOOK, I THINK THIS IS MY CONCERN.
WE IN FACT, YOU KNOW, THE WITNESSES
JUST SPOKE TO THIS POINT.
EVERY PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE I'VE EVER BEEN IN,
MY CHILD'S NAME HAS BEEN USED.
MY CHILD'S PRONOUNS HAVE BEEN USED.
SURE.
THIS IDEA THAT IF YOU WERE IN THIS SITUATION
WHERE THERE WAS A SITUATION
WHERE A TEACHER HAD KNOWLEDGE OF
SOMETHING AND A PARENT DID NOT,
THAT YOU WOULD EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT USING
GENERALIZED PRONOUNS IN THAT DISCUSSION TO AVOID
THAT INFORMATION BEING SHARED IN MY MIND, THAT IS,
ACTIVELY HIDING INFORMATION FROM PARENTS.
AND AND WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE AND AGAIN,
THIS IS ALL ABOUT FINDING WHERE THIS LINE IS BETWEEN
BEING REQUIRED TO SHARE WITH PARENTS,
WHICH I UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON,
THAT I GET THAT,
BUT THEN ACTIVELY HIDING INFORMATION FROM PARENTS,
AS A TEACHER WHO IS REGULARLY ENGAGING
WITH THAT PARENT ABOUT THEIR STUDENT,
I THINK THIS BILL OPENS THE DOOR IN
A WAY THAT I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH,
AND SO WE'LL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE BILL TODAY.
THANK YOU.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, MISS BONTA?
UH.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER WARD, I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS BILL.
UM, I.
AM A MOTHER OF AN LGBTQ CHILD,
AND I COULDN'T IMAGINE HER.
NOT.
BEING ABLE TO.
KNOW THAT HER.
SCHOOL WAS.
SAFE.
IN ALL ASPECTS OF HER IDENTITY.
AND I THINK THIS BILL IS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD,
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
IT ALLOWS FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS
AND EDUCATORS NOT TO BE PUT
IN A POSITION TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION
THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT.
REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY.
TRAINS FULLY TO BE ABLE TO.
ACKNOWLEDGE, SUPPORTS AND BE INVOLVED IN THAT.
THE THE PART OF THIS TESTIMONY FROM THE OPPOSITION
THAT I FIND THE MOST TROUBLING IS THIS NOTION.
THAT PARENTS STOP BEING PARENTS WHEN
THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL.
THAT PARENTS DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY.
TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF THEIR LIVES.
AND WHAT A PARENT CHOOSES TO
DO WITH THEIR ABILITY TO
COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILD IS, FRANKLY, ON THEM.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE
THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE
THAT EDUCATORS ARE SAFE.
IN THE IN IN THE BASIC FUNCTION
OF TEACHING OUR CHILDREN.
AND THIS IS A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD BILL
IN ALLOWING US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT MY
CHILD AND CHILDREN WHO ARE IN OUR SCHOOLS,
WHO ARE LGBTQ, HAVE THE ABILITY TO FEEL SAFE IN
THEIR SCHOOLS BY BRINGING FORWARD THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MISS HARRIS.
THANK YOU.
UM, WELL.
I JUST I.
WANT TO DEEPLY, DEEPLY.
THANK YOU.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
I THINK YOU'RE A CLASS ACT,
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DEMEANOR
IN THE FACE OF EVERYTHING YOU'VE LISTENED TO TODAY.
I WANT TO THANK YOUR WITNESSES AS WELL,
UH, FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.
I, TOO, AM A TEACHER AND A MOM.
I WAS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR OVER A DECADE.
I WORKED WITH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES,
TAUGHT K-12 SUMMER ADMIN.
I'M A MANDATED REPORTER.
UH, AND I WANT TO ECHO WHAT ASSEMBLY
MEMBER BONTA JUST SAID.
I, TOO, WAS GOING TO SAY.
THIS BILL IS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
I HAVE TO SAY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THOUGH, UM,
THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING TRANS.
IT'S.
IT'S NOT A PATHOLOGY.
AND I DIDN'T REALIZE SITTING UP
HERE HOW EMOTIONAL IT WOULD BE,
UM, TO SAY WHAT I'M SAYING.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT KIDS AND ABOUT HUMANS.
WE'RE NOT.
AND YES, WE CITE THE DATA AND YES,
WE HAVE A LOT OF OPINIONS,
BUT THERE'S REALLY NOTHING WRONG
WITH KIDS BEING WHO THEY ARE.
AND SO I WANT TO APPRECIATE THIS, BILL.
I THINK IT DOES RECOGNIZE THAT CHILDREN
DESERVE TO BE WHO THEY ARE,
THAT THEY NEED SAFE PLACES TO LEARN,
AND THAT WE DO RELY ON TEACHER EXPERTISE.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS HAVE
THE KNOWLEDGE THEY NEED.
THIS BILL DOES THAT.
IT PROVIDES RESOURCES AND IT
GIVES TEACHERS A CHOICE.
AND IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT
KIDS NEED THAT SAFE ADULT WHO DOES HAVE A CHOICE
TO KNOW WHEN TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION AND WHEN
TO NAVIGATE A SITUATION IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
SO THAT'S WHY I SECONDED THIS BILL.
THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THE BILL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU.
THANK THE LGBT CAUCUS FOR YOUR BRAVERY
AND YOUR STEADFASTNESS.
I WROTE TWO OP EDS LAST YEAR ABOUT
SUPPORT FOR LGBT PEOPLE
IN MY COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF
THE RHETORIC THAT WAS GOING ON.
AND I KNOW YOU'VE WORKED ON THIS ISSUE FOR A VERY,
VERY LONG TIME.
UH, AND JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.
WARD.
THANK YOU TO THE WITNESSES ON BOTH SIDES,
AS WELL AS EVERYONE WHO ALL HAD
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD TODAY.
UM, I.
FOR ME.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT OUR SCHOOLS SHOULD BE
A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE PLACE FOR ALL STUDENTS.
AND YOU KNOW, WHILE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS,
IN AN IDEAL WORLD,
UH, TEACHERS, STAFF, UH, SHOULD BE ABLE TO.
YOU KNOW, COMMUNICATE OPENLY WITH, WITH THEIR, UH,
WITH THE PARENTS ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD.
WE KNOW THAT, UNFORTUNATELY,
WE DON'T ALWAYS DEAL WITH SITUATIONS WHERE,
UH, HOUSEHOLDS ARE SUPPORTIVE
OF A CHILD'S GENDER IDENTITY.
AND FOR THAT REASON, UH, UH, YOU KNOW,
I AS A PARENT MYSELF, I MEAN,
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT IF MY
CHILD WAS HAVING, YOU KNOW,
WAS WAS EXPLORING GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES,
THAT I WOULD BE TALKING TO MY CHILD AND I WOULD NOT
BE RELYING ON TEACHERS OR SCHOOL STAFF TO TELL ME,
YOU KNOW, ISSUES WHETHER MY CHILD IS
EXPLORING GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO
PROTECT ALL STUDENTS, UH, TO,
TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE
ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS.
UH, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS BILL.
MR.
WARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE IN
BRINGING THIS MEASURE FORWARD.
YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.
THANK YOU.
I THINK WE'VE HAD A LONG A PRETTY
THOROUGH DISCUSSION HERE,
AND I ALMOST WANT TO START TO
THINK ABOUT THINGS TO CLOSE,
BUT HONESTLY HAD TO ECHO SO MANY OF THE THINGS
THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT HERE AS WELL.
AND FOR THE COMPLEXITIES AROUND THIS CONVERSATION
THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE TODAY
AND CERTAINLY MANY DAYS AND OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
BEFORE THINGS GET A LITTLE BIT.
A LITTLE BIT MUDDY.
A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING OUT THERE.
AND SO WE TRY SOMETIMES JUST TO REALLY
SIMPLIFY AND CRYSTALLIZE WHAT,
WHAT WHAT DOES THIS BILL ACTUALLY DO OR
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE.
AND THE FUNDAMENTAL I THINK THREAD THAT
WE WANT TO SEE FOR ALL CALIFORNIA
STUDENTS AND ALL CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS,
IS THAT TO YOUR POINT?
THEY DESERVE A SAFE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
IN WHICH TO LEARN.
AND SOME OF THAT IS INFORMED, SURE,
BY SURVEYS AND RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES.
UM, BUT IMPORTANTLY, WE'VE OVER
THE LAST ALMOST A YEAR
NOW BEEN THRUST INTO THIS SPACE ABOUT WHAT IS
THE BEST APPROACH WHEN IT COMES TO A REQUIREMENT OR
A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE TO FORCIBLY OUT SOMEBODY.
WE'VE ALMOST HAD A PILOT PROGRAM
AND BEEN ABLE TO TEST
THAT IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA,
AND IT'S NOT GONE WELL.
IT HAS TORN APART THE FABRIC OF THESE COMMUNITIES.
IT HAS PUT TEACHERS IN A VERY AWKWARD SPACE.
IT HAS TURNED SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS,
MAYBE ENJOYABLY, BY SOME, UH,
INTO AN ABSOLUTE CIRCUS AND AWAY FROM
THE CORE MISSION OF HAVING TO TALK
ABOUT THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF OF OF
FULFILLING THAT DISTRICT'S MISSION.
UM, IT HAS COST A LOT OF MONEY
AND THREW A LOT OF LAWSUITS.
AND AGAIN, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SOME
ARE WILLING TO BE ABLE TO EXPEND WITH
THE LIMITED RESOURCES THAT WE DEBATE ANNUALLY,
UM, THAT'S NOT NOT GOOD.
THAT IS GOING TO DISADVANTAGE AND LEAVE SOME
STUDENTS AND SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEHIND.
AND SO THAT IS WHY WE ARE AT A PLACE NOW OF.
OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS,
LEARNING ABOUT WHAT THESE POLICIES
DO AND SAYING THAT IS NOT
THE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO GO,
THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A UNIFORM POLICY
THAT SAYS WHAT WE DO AND WE DON'T DO.
AND I'VE HEARD AS WELL, BASED ON SOME OF
THE COURT CONVERSATIONS AROUND HERE,
AND I WANT TO THANK AGAIN
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL AND THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US TO REALLY STAND UP
FOR AND BET SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS,
UM, THROUGH THAT CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW,
AMBIGUITIES IN LAW HAVE HAVE KIND
OF COME UP AND SOME HAVE
ARTICULATED THAT IT'S THE LACK
OF STATUTORY GUIDANCE THAT,
YOU KNOW, IS STILL AT PLAY HERE.
AND SO I HAVE A STATUTORY PROPOSAL,
AND I ASK FOR SECONDLY FOR YOUR I VOTE IN AB 1955.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SECRETARY.
UM, MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FILE.
ITEM ONE AB.
1955.
THE MOTION IS TO CONCUR IN THE SENATE AMENDMENTS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
AYE.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
HI, FLORA.
FLORA.
NO.
ADDIS.
ADDIS I ALVAREZ.
BONTA I ONTO I.
HOOVER.
NO.
MCCARTY.
THREE.
THREE EYES, TWO NOSE.
THE BILL IS ON CALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
SECOND.
MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
UH, MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THE MOTION ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS AS FOLLOWS.
TO AB 380.
DO PASS TO APPROPRIATION.
EXCUSE ME, SB 380 DO PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 445 DO PASS AS AMENDED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 480 DO PASS TO LABOR.
SB 1063 DO PASS TO THE FLOOR.
SB 1091 DO PASS AS AMENDED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 1244 DO PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 1248 DO PASS, AS AMENDED, TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 1288 DO PASS TO PRIVACY.
SB 1391 DO PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUSHI I.
MAYOR.
SUSHI I.
FLORA.
FLORA I ADDIS.
ADDIS I.
ALVAREZ.
BONTA.
ONTO I HOOVER.
HOOVER.
I MCCARTY.
FIVE ZERO.
THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS ADOPTED.
MOVING ALONG TO OUR VERY BUSY AGENDA, WE, UM,
WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND THE VICE CHAIR OF
THE COURTESY BECAUSE HE HAS WITNESSED ISSUES,
UM, TO, UH, PRESENT SENATE BILL 691
ON BEHALF OF SENATOR PORTENTINO.
ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
WE'LL KEEP TALKING.
WHILE OUR.
WITNESSES COME ON UP.
BUT, UH, I WANT TO BEGIN BY ACCEPTING THE PROPOSED
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS AND OUTLINING THE ANALYSIS.
SB 691 WOULD SIMPLY REQUIRE THE BOARD
OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO
SELECT TWO ADDITIONAL STUDENT MEMBERS
WHO SERVE ON THEIR BOARD.
CURRENTLY, THERE IS ONE BOARD
MEMBER TO SERVE ON 11% BOARD.
THE GOAL OF SB 691 IS TO HELP INCLUDE
MORE POWERFUL VOICES FOR STUDENTS,
SO THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES
THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WITH ME, I HAVE A COUPLE OF WITNESSES,
AND I'LL ALLOW THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES,
AND WE'LL RESPECTFULLY HAVE THE COMMENTS VERY SHORT.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS HARVEY URSINY,
AND I'M A RISING JUNIOR AT DUBLIN
HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DIRECTOR
OF POLICY AT GENERATION UP,
ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST YOUTH LED ORGANIZATIONS
FOSTERING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR SB 691,
PARTICULARLY THE PROVISION TO INCREASE
THE NUMBER OF STUDENT
BOARD MEMBERS ON THE STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION FROM 1 TO 3.
AS STUDENTS, WE ARE THE PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS
IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
AND YET FAR TOO LONG AND TOO OFTEN DECISIONS
HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT US WITHOUT OUR INPUT.
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT
THE ADULTS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
ARE CONSTANTLY DECIDING WHAT
THEY THINK IS BEST FOR US,
ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT STUDENTS,
BUT NEVER ACTUALLY TO US.
BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS RECOGNIZING
THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
WE ARE A GROUP WITH VARIED AND DIVERSE
INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES,
AND OUR REPRESENTATION SHOULD REFLECT THAT.
DURING MY TIME AT DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL,
I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW DECISIONS MADE AT THE STATE
LEVEL CAN DEEPLY AFFECT OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.
THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE STATE
BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ONE OF
THE MOST INFLUENTIAL OFFICES A STUDENT
CAN HOLD IN CALIFORNIA,
BUT WITH ALMOST 6 MILLION K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE STATE,
A SINGLE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER CANNOT EFFECTIVELY
REPRESENT THAT DIVERSITY.
INCREASING STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THE SBE
ENSURES THAT OUR VOICES ARE NOT ONLY HEARD,
BUT ALSO HAVE A MUCH MORE TANGIBLE IMPACT
ON DECISION MAKING PROCESSES.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT SB 691 TO ENSURE
THAT STUDENTS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF
EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU.
WELL, THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.
MEMBERS OF.
THE COMMITTEE, THANK YOU.
FOR THIS CHANCE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF
SB 691 BY SENATOR ANTHONY PORTANTINO.
I'M KATHLEEN FAY, DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION
FOR CALIFORNIA STATE PTA.
WE HAVE LONG SUPPORTED WAYS
TO MAKE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MORE WELCOMING AND SUPPORT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.
WE DO THIS TO HELP CHILDREN GROW UP SAFE,
HEALTHY AND EDUCATED,
WITH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AS A TOP PRIORITY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE PARENTS AND DECISIONS
AFFECTING THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.
AND CREATE A HOME SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP
BASED ON MUTUAL TRUST.
A FAST WAY TO UNDERMINE THAT RELATIONSHIP
IS BY THREATENING
LEGAL ACTION WHEN FACED WITH A CHALLENGE.
IMAGINE YOU'RE A PARENT NEW TO THIS COUNTRY,
STILL WORKING ON YOUR ENGLISH,
BUT DOING YOUR BEST TO FIT IN.
YOU GET A NOTICE FROM YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL
AND LEARN THAT YOUR SON, WHO ALWAYS RUNS LATE,
IS TRUANT, THAT YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO
COMPEL HIS ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL,
AND THAT IF YOU FAIL TO MEET THIS OBLIGATION,
YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF AN INFRACTION
SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
SIX COMMENCING WITH SECTION 48290.
DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE REACHING OUT TO
THE SCHOOL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM,
OR ARE YOU HIT WITH ANXIETY ABOUT
HOW YOU'LL PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY?
OR IMAGINE YOU ARE AN UPSTANDING
MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WITH
A DAZZLING SPOUSE AND BRIGHT CHILDREN
WITH BRIGHT FUTURES,
INCLUDING YOUR TEEN DAUGHTER, WHOSE BACKPACK
STILL CONTAINS THE DOCTOR'S
NOTE EXCUSING HER FROM SCHOOL WHILE
SHE RECOVERED FROM COVID.
IN THE MAIL THAT AFTERNOON, YOU RECEIVED THE SAME
INTIMIDATING NOTIFICATION FROM THE SCHOOL.
DO YOU REACH OUT TO YOUR ADMINISTRATOR
AND FRIENDSHIP,
OR ARE YOU DISTINCTLY ANNOYED AND FRANKLY
INSULTED BY THIS TREATMENT?
DOES THIS PARTICULAR FORM OF SCHOOL CORRESPONDENCE
BRING ANYONE TOGETHER?
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PUNITIVE NOTIFICATIONS
WITH LEGAL JARGON
ABOUT PARENTAL LIABILITY CAN
BE PERCEIVED AS THREATENING.
WE'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT MAKING BEHAVIORALLY INFORMED
IMPROVEMENTS TO PARENT COMMUNICATIONS
ON ATTENDANCE BOOSTED THE IMPACT
OF THE STANDARD LETTER BY 40%.
SIMPLY REPLACING INTIMIDATING LANGUAGE WITH
MESSAGES THAT ARE WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE
ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO WORK WITH SCHOOLS
TO RESOLVE ATTENDANCE ISSUES.
THAT'S OUR GOAL TO THANK SENATOR PORTENTINO,
AND WE URGE THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE
IN FAVOR OF PASSAGE OF SB 691.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
THINK.
NONE ARE WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NONE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE?
ANY MOTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE?
SO MOVED.
SO MOVED AND SECONDED BY MR.
FLORA.
UH, MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
OH.
I'M SORRY, UH, MR.
FLORA.
VICE CHAIR.
FLORA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE?
JUST RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR A VOTE.
THANK YOU.
FILE ITEM FIVE, SB 691.
THE MOTION IS TO PASS, AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
ALL RIGHT.
MAYOR SUU KYI, I FLORA, FLORA I ADIS.
ADIS I ALVAREZ.
PONTI.
HOOVER.
MCCARTY.
THREE ZERO.
THE BILL IS ON CALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UH, SENATOR LAIRD, YOU HAVE, UH,
FILED NUMBER 19, SENATE BILL 1440.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN, AND.
ONCE MR.
FLORA GETS BACK.
THEY'RE MEMBERS.
UM, I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY, UH,
TAKING THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS,
AND I'LL COMMIT TO REQUESTING
A STUDY FROM THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE REGARDING
THE FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEKS,
AS THIS BILL AUTHORIZES THE STONEY CREEK
JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
WHICH SERVES GLEN AND COLUSA COUNTIES,
TO OPERATE ON A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK.
UM STONEY CREEK IS A SMALL AND REMOTE,
REMOTE DISTRICT THAT ENROLLS
BETWEEN 80 AND 90 STUDENTS.
OVER HALF OF THE STUDENT BODIES, UH,
ARE MEMBERS OF THE GRINDSTONE INDIAN RANCHERIA,
WHICH REGULARLY ENGAGE IN CULTURAL PRACTICES
AND TRADITIONS DURING THE WEEKDAY.
UM, THIS, ALONG WITH THE FACT
THAT FAMILIES EXPERIENCE
CHALLENGES MAKING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS,
WHICH ARE OFTEN AVAILABLE WEEKDAYS AND LOCATED
IN OTHER TOWNS UH, REQUIRES THIS CHANGE.
BOTH FACTORS CONTRIBUTE NOW TO CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM,
WHICH CAN BE ADDRESSED BY THIS.
UM, THE DISTRICT WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO MEET
MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL MINUTES AND REACH
AN AGREEMENT WITH THEIR BARGAINING UNITS PRIOR
TO OPERATING ON A FOUR DAY SCHEDULE.
IT'S SUPPORTED BY THEIR COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION,
THE LOCAL TRIBE,
THE LOCAL TEACHERS FEDERATION,
AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE DID RECEIVE SOME LATE CONCERN FROM
THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION.
WE GOT IT YESTERDAY.
I AM CONFIDENT WE HAVE SET A MEETING FOR NEXT WEEK.
I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN WORK TO ADDRESS THIS, UH,
SO THAT THERE IS NOT FORMAL OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
THIS BILL ALSO HAS THE SUPPORT FROM
ITS LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER GALLAGHER
AND SENATOR DOLLY WILL BE ADDED
AS CO-AUTHORS TO THIS BILL ONCE
IT'S REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE.
UM, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I REQUEST AN I VOTE.
AND WITH ME TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT IS EMILY PINDELL,
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE STONEY CREEK
JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
GOOD AFTERNOON COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS EMILY PENDLE.
AND I'M.
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
PRINCIPAL OF THE STONY CREEK JOINT UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT, A FRONTIER.
DISTRICT.
I'M HERE.
TODAY TO DISCUSS.
THE UNIQUE NEEDS.
OF OUR STUDENTS.
FOR DECADES, THE DISTRICT'S LEADERSHIP
HAS FAILED TO MEET THE.
UNIQUE NEEDS.
OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS SOWN YEARS OF MISTRUST
WITH OUR NATIVE FAMILIES.
AS A RESULT, WE SEE A LACK OF ATTENDANCE
AMONG OUR STUDENTS.
A 41% CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RATE.
IT'S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE, TO SHOW OUR
FAMILIES THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE,
TO PARTNER WITH THEM, TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE OUR CHILDREN CAN THRIVE.
WE CAN DO THIS BY HEARING THEIR
REQUESTS FOR MORE FAMILY TIME,
FOR MORE TIME TO ATTEND TO HEALTH
AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
FOR MORE TIME TO PARTICIPATE
IN THEIR CULTURAL TRADITIONS
WITHOUT THE FEAR OF THE ATTENDANCE REVIEW BOARD.
THIS UNIQUE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE UNIQUE
SOLUTION OF A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK.
OUR DISTRICT IS RURAL,
SPANNING APPROXIMATELY 600MI²
AND SERVING FOUR SMALL COMMUNITIES.
OUR STUDENT POPULATION IS UNIQUE.
65% OF OUR STUDENTS FALL INTO THE CATEGORY
OF SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED,
AND 51% ARE NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS FROM
THE GRINDSTONE RANCHERIA OF THE WINTUN TRIBES.
ULTIMATELY, WE WANT OUR STUDENTS
TO GET THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL
MINUTES TO GIVE THEM THE BEST
POSSIBLE CHANCE IN LIFE.
WE WANT THEM AT SCHOOL, SO WE WANT TO ADJUST
OUR SCHEDULE TO FOUR DAYS TO MEET THEIR
NEEDS AND INCREASE OUR CHANCES OF GIVING THEM
ALL THOSE REQUIRED MINUTES AND MORE.
WITH ENRICHMENT AND CREDIT RECOVERY OPPORTUNITIES.
WE ARE STUDENT FOCUSED.
WE ONLY WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE DATA REGARDING
FOUR DAY WEEKS IS VARIED.
THEREFORE, WE WILL TRACK
THE DATA CLOSELY TO DETERMINE
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHEDULE
CHANGE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WE'LL LOOK AT NOT ONLY STATE TEST SCORES,
BUT DATA THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE WHOLE CHILD AND OF OUR COMMUNITY,
INCLUDING ATTENDANCE RATES, LOCAL ASSESSMENTS,
GRADUATION RATES,
AND STUDENT AND FAMILY SURVEYS.
CAN I ASK.
YOU TO WRAP UP?
YES.
IF A PROGRAM IS NOT SERVING OUR STUDENTS
AND BETTERING OUR LIVES, WE WON'T DO IT.
SO IN CONCLUSION, TRANSITIONING
TO A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK
IS NOT JUST A LOGISTICAL ADJUSTMENT
FOR OUR DISTRICT.
IT'S A STRATEGIC MOVE TO BETTER SERVE OUR STUDENTS,
SUPPORT OUR STAFF, AND BE SENSITIVE
NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
I ASK THAT YOU RESPECTFULLY SUPPORT SB 1440.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU VERY.
MUCH.
AND AS A REMINDER TO THE COMMITTEE,
THIS BILL ENJOYS A SUPPORT SUPPORT RECOMMENDATION.
PLEASE PROCEED.
TIFFANY MAUCK ON BEHALF OF CFT.
FOR THE REASONS OF BEING BRIEF AND SUPPORTING
OUR LOCAL EDUCATORS, WE SUPPORT THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
UM.
ON BEHALF OF THE SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT.
THANKS.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
ANY WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
OKAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS ANGLER WITH THE CALIFORNIA
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION.
AND WE DO APOLOGIZE TO SENATOR LAIRD AND TO
THE COMMITTEE FOR THIS LATE OPPOSITION.
UM, BUT THIS LATE OPPOSITION IS
REALLY VERY MUCH IN PRINCIPLE,
UM, FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH
OUR LOCAL CLASSIFIED UNIT.
CCPA IS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES AT STONEY CREEK.
AND WE PRESUME THAT WHEN THE DISTRICT IS SEEKING
A STATUTORY CHANGE TO THIS LEVEL,
THAT THE DISTRICT MUST HAVE DONE SOME ANALYSIS,
SOME THOUGHT PLANNING ON HOW THIS FOUR DAY
WORKWEEK IS GOING TO IMPACT THEIR SCHOOL,
THEIR STUDENTS AND THEIR STAFF.
AND SO OUR STAFF HAS ASKED CONTINUOUSLY
THE QUESTION OF,
WELL, WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FOR MY SCHEDULE?
I'M A FIVE DAY EMPLOYEE.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME GOING TO FOUR DAYS?
WHAT DOES MY CALENDAR LOOK LIKE?
I'M A TEN MONTH EMPLOYEE.
IS THE CALENDAR GOING TO BE EXTENDED
BECAUSE THE DISTRICT STILL HAS
TO MEET THE INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR
OR THE INSTRUCTIONAL MINUTES?
UM, ALSO, WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN TERMS
OF STAFFING NEED MOVING FORWARD?
UM, ARE WE GOING TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL
DOWN COMPLETELY BY, UH, YOU KNOW,
THAT ONE EXTRA DAY AND ONLY HAVE OPERATIONS
ON FOUR DAYS, A FOUR DAYS A WEEK?
AND SO THESE ARE QUESTIONS IN
WHICH MY MEMBERS HAVE SOUGHT
FROM THE DISTRICT AND THEY HAVE
NOT GOTTEN ANY ANSWER.
AND SO IT FINALLY GOT TO OUR LEVEL,
UNFORTUNATELY, YESTERDAY.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE LATE, UM,
CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR LAIRD'S OFFICE,
WHO VERY MUCH, UH,
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY THEN ENGAGING
IN THE CONVERSATION OF PULLING
BOTH GROUPS TOGETHER AND SETTING
A MEETING FOR US FOR NEXT WEEK.
SO WITHOUT THE WITHOUT CSEA HAVING HAD OPPOSED,
WE WOULD NOT HAVE A SCHEDULED
MEETING ON THE CALENDAR.
AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND THAT OUR
MEMBERS ARE HOURLY EMPLOYEES.
THEY'RE NOT SALARIED.
THEY'RE NOT, UM, SIMILAR TO THE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS.
THEY'RE HOURLY EMPLOYEES AND ASK.
YOU TO WRAP UP.
OKAY.
SO THEN THIS CHANGE IS GOING TO AFFECT THEIR
WORK DAY AND THEIR WORK SCHEDULE.
AND IT'S FOR THESE REASONS THAT WE OPPOSE,
NOT NECESSARILY THAT CSEA OPPOSES
A FOUR DAY WORK WEEK,
BECAUSE WE DO HAVE OTHER DISTRICTS AND OTHER MOUS
IN PLACE THAT HAS THIS FOUR DAY WORKING.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE?
SEEING NONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SENATOR LAIRD,
FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I DO WANT TO BRIEFLY MENTION THAT
THE COMMITTEE ANALYSIS DOES PROVIDE,
UH, YOU KNOW, SUMMARIZES A LOT OF
THE RESEARCH AS TO THE THE RESULTS,
THE STUDIES ON FOUR DAY, UH, UH, SCHOOL WEEKS,
ALTHOUGH IT'S GROWING IN POPULARITY
ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
UH, THAT IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE MIXED AT BEST.
UH, YOU KNOW, RESULTS, FINDINGS IN TERMS OF, OF, UH,
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES AS WELL AS IMPACTS ON,
UH, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.
BUT NONETHELESS, AS SENATOR LAIRD, AS YOU ASKED.
LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.
SO, SENATOR LAIRD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE?
YES.
THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND IF THIS BILL IS PASSED,
IT'S THE FOURTH DISTRICT IN CALIFORNIA.
OUT OF ALL THE DISTRICTS AND THEY ARE SMALL,
I HAPPEN TO REPRESENT ONE OF THE OTHERS.
THE BIG SUR DISTRICT HAS 17 STUDENTS
IN A K THROUGH 12 SCHOOL.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, MOTHER NATURE
DECIDED TO DELIVER A SLIDE
THAT CLOSED THE HIGHWAY DOWN
THE MIDDLE OF THEIR DISTRICT.
THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THIS GAVE THEM IN
A VERY SMALL DISTRICT ALLOWS IT TO WORK.
AND IT'S LEGGETT VALLEY, UH, UP IN THE NORTH COAST.
AND SO I DO NOT THINK THIS IS WHOLE SCALE
IN OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.
IT IS BIG DISTRICTS THAT HAVE GONE TO IT.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS.
AND THEN TO REPEAT, WE HAVE SET A MEETING BETWEEN
THE PARTIES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT CAME.
AND I WANT TO ALSO REMIND EVERYONE THAT IN THE BILL,
UH, THE BILL ACTUALLY SAYS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS
TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THEIR BARGAINING UNITS
PRIOR TO OPERATING ON THE FOUR DAY SCHEDULE.
SO THAT'S IN THE BILL.
IT HOPEFULLY EMPOWERS EVERYONE
TO GET TO AN AGREEMENT.
AND WITH THAT, UM, I THINK THIS WAS A MUCH LONGER
DEBATE THAN I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN I VOTE.
MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
FILE ITEM 19, SB 1440.
THE MOTION IS DUE.
PASS AS AMENDED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
AYE.
MAYOR SUU KYI, I.
FLORA.
FLORA I ADDIS I.
ADDIS I.
ALVAREZ.
BONTA.
HOOPER.
MCCARTY.
THREE ZERO.
THE BILL IS ON CALL.
THANK YOU.
SARAH NEWMAN.
YOU HAVE THREE BILLS.
UH, LEAVE IT UP TO YOU, UH,
AS TO WHICH ORDER YOU'D LIKE TO PRESENT YOUR BILLS.
IT'S THE FIRST DRILL.
ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL START WITH FILE NUMBER SIX, SENATE BILL 897.
SO GATHERING MY WITNESSES HERE, I THANK YOU.
OKAY, MR.
CHAIR AND MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT SP 897,
WHICH WOULD MAKE CALIFORNIA'S DISTRICT
OF CHOICE PROGRAM PERMANENT
AFTER 30 YEARS OF SUCCESSFULLY OFFERING
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACCESS
TO EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
UH, BEFORE I BEGIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK
THE CHAIR AND ASSEMBLY EDUCATION STAFF,
ESPECIALLY CHELSEA KELLY,
UH, FOR ALL OF THE GOOD WORK ON THIS BILL AND ALSO
EXPLICITLY ACCEPT THAT COMMITTEE'S AMENDMENTS,
WHICH ADDRESS MANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED,
ESPECIALLY BY THE OPPOSITION AS WE MOVED FORWARD.
AND LET ME QUICKLY ARTICULATE
ALL OF THOSE AMENDMENTS.
UH, FIRST, REINSTATING THE 3% ANNUAL
CAP AND THE 10% LIFETIME
CAP FOR DISTRICTS WITH AN ADA OF LESS THAN 50,000,
UH, EXPAND THE SCOPE OF WHAT
IS SUBJECT TO ANNUAL AUDIT.
CREATE A NEW ROLE FOR THE COUNTY
OFFICES OF EDUCATION TO TRACK
TRANSFERS AT THE REQUEST OF A DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE,
WITH A TEMPORARY RESTRICTION ON DISTRICTS
OF CHOICE FROM ACCEPTING
NEW DOC TRANSFERS IF THEY FAIL TO
COMPLY WITH THE COUNTY OFFICES.
REQUEST TO DISALLOW ADA GENERATED
FROM ANY STUDENTS ADMITTED TO
A DISTRICT OF CHOICE IN EXCESS
OF A DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE.
ITS CAPS WHEN THE DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE HAS NOTIFIED
THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE THAT IT
IS RESTRICTING TRANSFERS.
AUTHORIZED DISTRICTS OF RESIDENCE
TO RESTRICT TRANSFERS
IF THE DISTRICT HAS A QUALIFIED BUDGET.
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.
DISTRICTS OF CHOICE TO PROACTIVELY
NOTIFY DISTRICTS OF RESIDENTS OF
THE NAMES AND NUMBER OF STUDENTS REQUESTING
TO TRANSFER BY JANUARY 15TH,
AND FOR DISTRICTS OF RESIDENTS TO NOTIFY
THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
AND THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE IN
WRITING BY FEBRUARY 15TH,
WHEN THE CAPS HAVE BEEN MET,
AND WHETHER THE DISTRICT OF
RESIDENCE HAS ELECTED TO RESTRICT FURTHER TRANSFERS.
UH, THOSE OF THE AMENDMENTS.
IF I MISSED ANY, PLEASE CLARIFY.
UH, UNDER CALIFORNIA'S DISTRICT OF CHOICE PROGRAM,
ANY STUDENT IN CALIFORNIA MAY TRANSFER
TO A PARTICIPATING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGARDLESS OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
UNLIKE A STANDARD INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER,
STUDENTS TRANSFERRING INTO
A DISTRICT OF CHOICE SCHOOL
DISTRICT DO NOT NEED TO SECURE PERMISSION FROM
THEIR HOME DISTRICT TO TRANSFER FURTHER,
ANY STUDENT OPTING INTO A DISTRICT
OF CHOICE DISTRICT MUST
BE ACCEPTED IRRESPECTIVE OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE,
ATHLETIC ABILITY, OR ANY OTHER
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC.
UH.
ORIGINALLY ENACTED IN 1993,
THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE PROGRAM
HAS SUCCEEDED IN GIVING
STUDENTS ACCESS TO NEW EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
NOT AVAILABLE IN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS.
AT PRESENT, 45 SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ACROSS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ARE IDENTIFIED AS DISTRICT OF CHOICE DISTRICTS.
SINCE ITS ENACTMENT, THE DLC PROGRAM HAS BEEN
REAUTHORIZED ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS
AND HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO TWO SEPARATE EVALUATIONS
BY THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE.
THOSE EVALUATIONS FOUND THAT THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN PROVIDING STUDENTS ACCESS TO,
ON AVERAGE, 5 TO 7 NEW COURSES NOT AVAILABLE
IN THEIR DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE.
THESE INCLUDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY
COURSES AND PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS,
MUSIC, AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
MOREOVER, THE BENEFITS OF DLC
WERE NOT LIMITED SOLELY
TO STUDENTS TRANSFERRING OUT OF A HOME DISTRICT.
THE LEO'S 2021 ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM FOUND THAT
MANY HOME DISTRICTS RESPONDED TO THE COMPETITIVE,
LOCAL DYNAMIC THAT DOC CREATES BY IMPLEMENTING
NEW COURSES AND PROGRAMS,
THEREBY IMPROVING COURSE OFFERINGS EVEN FOR STUDENTS
WHO DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN A DLC PROGRAM.
SB 897 SEEKS TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL
PROGRAM PERMANENT BY ELIMINATING
THE SUNSET AND IMPLEMENTING
THE LEO'S RECOMMENDATIONS
TO PROMOTE EQUITY AND REDUCE BARRIERS
TO PARTICIPATION FOR
FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH BY MAKING
THE PROGRAM PERMANENT.
SB 897 PROVIDES DISTRICTS WITH
THE CERTAINTY THEY NEED TO
ENGAGE IN LONG TERM STRATEGIC
PLANNING AND FOR FAMILIES.
SB 897 WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MUCH
NEEDED ASSURANCE THAT THEIR STUDENTS
WILL BE ABLE TO GRADUATE ALONGSIDE
THEIR FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES,
REGARDLESS OF HOME ADDRESS OR
THE POLITICS HERE IN SACRAMENTO.
AS A AS AMENDED, SB 897 MAINTAINS AND BUILDS ON MANY
OF THE PROTECTIONS FOR DISTRICTS OF RESIDENCE,
INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO RESTRICT TRANSFER
OUTS WHEN THAT WOULD HARM
RACIAL BALANCE OR EXACERBATE
A DISTRICTS FINANCIAL DISTRESS.
FURTHER, SB 897 PRESERVES THE EXISTING
ANNUAL AND LIFETIME CAPS,
THEREBY PROTECTING THE DISTRICTS OF RESIDENTS
THAT HAVE ALREADY MET THEIR LIFETIME
CAPS FROM ANY NEW DOC TRANSFERS WITH
ME TO TESTIFY TODAY IS JEFF DAVIS,
SUPERINTENDENT OF OAK PARK UNITED SCHOOL DISTRICT
IN VENTURA COUNTY, AND AVILA CASTELLANOS,
WHO IS THE ASB PRESIDENT AT WALNUT
HIGH SCHOOL IN THE WALNUT VALLEY
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IS
A DISTRICT OF CHOICE STUDENT.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR I VOTE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
PLEASE PROCEED.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRPERSON, MAYOR AND HONORABLE
ASSEMBLY EDUCATION MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE
STAFFERS WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL
YOUR TIME AND HARD WORK ON SB 897.
UH, MY NAME IS DOCTOR JEFF DAVIS,
SUPERINTENDENT OF OAK PARK, USD.
UH, AT A AT 400, AT 4400 PLUS STUDENTS
WERE THE SMALLEST DISTRICT IN EASTERN
VENTURA COUNTY AND HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING
IN DOC SINCE 0506.
OAK PARK IS A HIGH ACHIEVING, DIVERSE DISTRICT.
OUR NUMBERS OF ETHNICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS
AND SUBPOPULATIONS HAVE INCREASED OVER TIME,
AND THE DOC PROGRAM HAS BEEN
IMPACTFUL ON THOSE STUDENTS.
WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU SUPPORT SB 897.
WE BELIEVE THAT REMOVING THE SUNSET
DATE WOULD PROVIDE APPRECIATED
STABILITY TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
AND DISTRICT OPERATIONS,
AND WOULD ALSO ALLOW US TO BE
ABLE TO CONTINUE TO OFFER
THESE WONDERFUL PROGRAMS WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER.
AND OF COURSE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
STUDENT ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS.
UM, WITH THE DOC PROGRAM,
FAMILIES SELECT TO APPLY TO DOC.
AND AS SENATOR NEWMAN SAID,
ALL STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED TO THE PROGRAM.
AND WE WANT TO THANK THE LEGISLATURE FOR
THE 2017 UPDATES TO TO DISTRICT OF CHOICE.
UNLIKE THE INTERDISTRICT PERMIT TRANSFER PROCESS,
WHERE DISTRICTS CAN REFUSE TO RELEASE A STUDENT
AND ALSO REFUSE TO ACCEPT STUDENTS BASED ON GRADES,
ATTENDANCE, AND BEHAVIORAL REASONS,
DOC DISTRICTS ACCEPT ALL STUDENTS THAT APPLY.
UM TO TO THE DOC PROGRAM.
IN TERMS OF ADVERTISING PARENTS.
UH, OUR PARENTS REPORT THAT THEY HEARD
ABOUT DOC VIA WORD OF MOUTH.
THAT'S 99% OF OUR PARENTS HEAR ABOUT IT.
WORD OF MOUTH PRETTY MUCH JUST LIKE,
YOU KNOW, UM, LEARNING ABOUT,
YOU KNOW, THE DANCE STUDIOS AND MUSIC LESSONS,
WHO'S THE BEST TEACHER,
WHAT'S THE BEST LITTLE LEAGUE AND ALL THAT?
IT'S THE SAME THING WITH DOC.
UM, OUR INFORMATION IS POSTED ON OUR
DISTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
AND OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE,
AND WE PLACE ONE AD IN L.A.
PARENT MAGAZINE EACH YEAR.
WE DO NOT ADVERTISE IN OUR LOCAL
NEWSPAPERS PER AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS IN OUR LOCAL AREA.
IN TERMS OF REPORTING,
WE'VE CONSISTENTLY MET ALL REQUIRED
TIMELINES AND DEADLINES
TO THE DISTRICTS OF RESIDENTS IN
THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
OVER THE TIME WE'VE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM.
SIR, YOUR TWO MINUTES ARE UP.
IF YOU CAN WRAP UP, PLEASE.
OKAY, SURE.
UH, LAST THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT I URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT SB 897 SO THAT OUR CALIFORNIA FAMILIES, UH,
ARE ABLE TO PURSUE AS MANY TRADITIONAL
PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTIONS AS
POSSIBLE SO THEY CAN FIND
THE BEST SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILD.
IT'S NOT DETERMINED AND NOT DETERMINED
BY THEIR ZIP CODE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
AND I HAVE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS AVILA CASTELLANOS,
AND I'M CURRENTLY
AN INCOMING SENIOR AT WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL.
FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, I'VE BEEN PART
OF A SINGLE INCOME FAMILY.
NOT BEING VERY FINANCIALLY SECURE
HAS MEANT THAT WE CANNOT
AFFORD TO LIVE IN AN AFFLUENT AREA SUCH AS WALNUT.
I'VE LIVED IN COVINA ALL MY LIFE,
AND WHILE I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT I HAVE
A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND FOOD ON MY TABLE,
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOES HAVE
IMPLICATIONS ON MY EDUCATION.
WHILE SCHOOLS IN LESS WEALTHY AREAS ARE MAKING GREAT
STRIDES TO EXPAND THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS,
THEY STILL HAVE ONLY A FRACTION OF THE OPPORTUNITIES
THAT SCHOOLS SUCH AS WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL OFFER.
FROM A YOUNG AGE, MY PARENTS TOOK
NOTE OF MY ACADEMIC AMBITION,
ALWAYS EAGER TO LEARN AND PUSHING MYSELF TO
MASTER MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT CONCEPTS.
THEY KNEW THAT I WOULD NEED TO FIND
A SCHOOL THAT COULD PROVIDE RIGOROUS
COURSEWORK TO PUSH ME TO ACHIEVE
MY FULL POTENTIAL AS A STUDENT.
WE FOUND THAT IN COLLEGE WOOD ELEMENTARY,
LOCATED WITHIN THE WALNUT VALLEY SCHOOL
DISTRICT THROUGH DISTRICT OF CHOICE.
I WAS INCREDIBLY BLESSED TO ATTEND COLLEGE WOOD,
GRANTING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PURSUE MY ACADEMIC PASSION.
THIS OPPORTUNITY REQUIRED DILIGENCE
ON MY FAMILY'S PART.
FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS, I HAVE WOKEN
UP EVERY MORNING BEFORE 6 A.M.
MY AMAZING MOM HAS DRIVEN ME OVER 30 MINUTES IN EACH
DIRECTION TO HELP ME ATTAIN THE SUPERB EDUCATION.
IN TURN, WALNUT HAS PROVIDED ME
WITH COUNTLESS EXPERIENCES
SUCH AS FIRST LEGO LEAGUE ROBOTICS TEAM,
WHICH I COMPETED IN FOR FIVE YEARS.
THIS PROGRAM ALLOWED ME TO FALL IN
LOVE WITH CODING AND OPEN MY EYES
TO THE POSSIBILITY OF PURSUING
A CAREER IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.
ONCE I ENTERED HIGH SCHOOL,
I ELECTED TO JOIN THE PLTW COMPUTER SCIENCE PATHWAY,
A SERIES OF FOUR COURSES THAT
WOULD PROVIDE ME WITH HANDS
ON EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD PREPARE
ME FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
MY MOST RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS BEEN BEING
ELECTED AS WALNUTS ASB PRESIDENT.
I AM TRULY HONORED TO REPRESENT MY STUDENT BODY,
EQUIPPED WITH THE SKILLS I HAVE GAINED
THROUGHOUT MY TIME IN THE WALNUT DISTRICT,
SUCH AS PASSION, RESILIENCE, AND EMPATHY.
A FEW OF THE COLLEGES THAT HAVE REACHED
OUT TO ME INCLUDE HARVARD,
BROWN, THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES, AMONG OTHERS.
THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE PROGRAM HAS
OPENED COUNTLESS DOORS FOR ME.
I PUSHED MYSELF TO BE A BETTER
STUDENT AND PERSON EVERY DAY,
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN
AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.
ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS IS NOT
SOMETHING READILY AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE,
BUT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HELPED
A LOT OF STUDENTS LIKE ME FLOURISH.
I MADE THE DECISION 12 YEARS
AGO THAT I WAS GOING TO WORK
DILIGENTLY AND NOT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GRANTED.
I HOPE THAT OTHER STUDENTS CAN BE GIVEN
THE SAME CHOICE THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE,
AND FOR THESE REASONS,
I ASK YOU TO VOTE YES ON SB 897.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
EXCELLENT TESTIMONY.
UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
DO WE HAVE THE MICROPHONE WORKING?
WE HEARD TIFFANY MOCK WITH CFT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR MEMBERS.
SAM NASH ON BEHALF OF THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
I'M KATIE HARTMAN WITH THE CALIFORNIA
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL POSITION,
BUT WE DID HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH THE BILL,
AND THOSE WERE LARGELY ADDRESSED
BY THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
WENDY MACASKILL ON BEHALF OF GLENDORA AND RIVERSIDE,
ON BEHALF OF THE BILL.
YES.
SAMUEL PRESSEY REPRESENTING RIVERSIDE UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT, HOME OF THE NUMBER.
ONE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE
AND NUMBER TEN INCHES THE NATION.
WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 897.
THANK YOU.
AND BETSY.
CASTELLANOS.
MOM TO THAT KID.
MHM.
UM, STRONG SUPPORTER AND ALSO REPRESENTING
WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ALL RIGHT.
PROUD MOTHER.
MHM.
ANY, UH, WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HAHAHA.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU.
HIT THE MICROPHONE BUTTON.
YEAH.
THANK YOU VERY.
MUCH.
MHM.
SHE'S A PRO HERE I KNOW SHE'S GOT THIS.
PERFECT.
SO GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRMAN.
AND COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS.
UH MY NAME IS DOCTOR JULIE MITCHELL AND I'M
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ROCKLAND UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT LOCATED IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY,
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
TODAY, I REPRESENT NOT ONLY THE ROCKLAND
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
BUT FIVE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.
WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE MANY PARENTS STUDENTS,
CLASSIFIED CSEA EMPLOYEES,
CERTIFICATED CTA TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS,
AND BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALL TRAVELED HERE TODAY
TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS WITH DISTRICT OF CHOICE.
WE CAME TO LOBBY AGAINST THIS BILL
AND SHARE OUR SIGNIFICANT
AND SUBSTANTIATED CONCERNS WITH
THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE PROGRAM.
HOWEVER, WITH THE AMENDMENTS, WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE
OUR THANK YOU AND APPRECIATION TO THE CHAIR.
SO THANK YOU, CHAIR MARTUCCI, FOR YOUR WORK
AND FOR THE TREMENDOUS WORK OF COMMITTEE STAFF.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK SENATOR NEWMAN
FOR ACCEPTING THE AMENDMENTS,
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY
TO SERVE THE GREAT STUDENTS
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN.
AND ASSEMBLY.
MEMBERS.
I'M DOCTOR DAN.
STEFANOWSKI, SUPERINTENDENT FOR LAS VEGAS UNIFIED.
REPRESENTING DISTRICTS.
IMPACTED BY DISTRICT OF CHOICE OUT.
IN THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA.
AND AS DOCTOR.
MITCHELL, TO MY LEFT.
SHARED, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED
THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES
OF THE DISTRICT OF CHOICE PERMIT PROGRAM,
SPECIFICALLY ITS EXPANSION OF RACIAL INEQUITY
AND LEAVING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS,
UM, WITH LESS SUPPORT THAN WOULD BE,
UM, OPTIMAL BY JEW.
AS DOCTOR MITCHELL SAID, WE APPRECIATE
THE SENATOR BRINGING FORWARD THE AMENDMENTS.
WE APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS HERE.
WE APPRECIATE, UM, THE HONORABLE CHAIRMAN
STAFF WORKING HARD ON THIS ISSUE,
LISTENING WITH US, MEETING SEVERAL TIMES.
AND AS DOCTOR MITCHELL MENTIONED,
WE APPRECIATE OUR PARENTS,
STUDENTS, STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS
FROM THE DISTRICTS AROUND,
UH, ROLAND AND LAS VIRGENES THAT HAVE
COME AND ARE SITTING BEHIND US.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR GREAT WORK.
THANK YOU.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
AND PLEASE, UH.
KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO NAME,
AFFILIATION AND POSITION ON THE BILL.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS SANDRA RODRIGUEZ FROM
POMONA UNIFIED DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN LINE WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
HI.
MY NAME IS.
MY NAME IS JULIETA ALVARADO.
I AM A PARENT AT POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND I AM ALIGNED WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
HELLO, MY NAME IS COREY ORNELAS,
PARENT FROM POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND.
I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH.
DOCTOR MITCHELL'S.
COMMENTS.
HI, MY NAME IS ALMA RODRIGUEZ FROM.
I'M FROM.
POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ALIGNMENT WITH.
DOCTOR MICHELLE CUMMINS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN MENGIBAR AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT
WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENT.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, CHARLENE BRITO,
PARENT OF POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND I AM IN LINE WITH.
UH.
DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
MY NAME IS MAURA ABUNDIO.
I AM THE POMONA.
UNIFIED SCHOOL.
DISTRICT.
I AM, I AM.
TEAMING WITH.
DOCTOR MITCHELL.
COMBS.
NORMA AGUILAR, PARENT OF POMONA
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS JULIA CARRILLO ALVAREZ,
A RECENT GRADUATE OF DIAMOND RANCH HIGH
SCHOOL IN THE POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND FUTURE STUDENT AT UCLA.
AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR
MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
HI, MY NAME IS FRANCISCO CARRILLO,
PROUD PARENT OF THREE AT POMONA UNIFIED DISTRICT.
INCLUDING THAT LITTLE ONE.
UM, I AM IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR
JULIE MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
THANK YOU.
HI, I'M PATRICIA TYE.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE POMONA
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF.
TRUE, I FORGOT WHAT I WAS.
SO ANYWAYS, I ALIGN MY ALONG WITH DOCTOR
JULIE MITCHELL AND I SINCERELY
THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO THE AMENDMENTS,
I APPRECIATE IT.
I OWE YOU LUNCH.
ARE.
JACQUELINE NAJERA, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
AT AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AZUSA EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, IN ALIGNMENT
WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
THANK YOU.
YOLANDA RODRIGUEZ.
PENA.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,
AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT.
WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S.
COMMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I AM PATRICIA SANCHEZ, PRESIDENT OF CSDA,
CHAPTER 299 OF AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN LINE WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M MARIA SANTOS, STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
OF AZUSA SCHOOL DISTRICT,
A UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ALIGNMENT
WITH DOCTOR JULIE MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS MARCIO SANTOS.
I'M A PARENT FOR AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M ALSO IN ALIGNMENT.
WITH DOCTOR JULIE'S COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
ARTURO ORTEGA, SUPERINTENDENT,
AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH MY COLLEAGUE,
DOCTOR JULIE MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, LATASHA JAMAL,
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF
THE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I ALIGN WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
HI, MY NAME IS SUMMER JOINER.
UM, I'M A PARENT AND A FORMER STUDENT
AT POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH JULIE
DOCTOR JULIE MITCHELL.
UH.
COMMENTS.
I'M CHRISTINA HARRISON,
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
IN THE CONEJO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL
AND DOCTOR STEFANOWSKI'S.
COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS CINDY GOLDBERG.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, CONEJO.
VALLEY UNIFIED.
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND I AM IN.
ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL
AND DOCTOR STEFANOWSKI'S.
COMMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR THEIR TIME.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M LISA POWELL.
I AM BOARD.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONEJO VALLEY
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M ALIGNED WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL'S COMMENTS.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, DOCTOR JERRY BLOCK,
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT,
SIMI VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I'M IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTORS
MITCHELL AND STEFANOWSKI'S.
COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, DOCTOR JAMIE SNODGRASS,
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT IN SIMI
VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
AND I AM ALSO IN SUPPORT OF DOCTOR
MITCHELL AND DOCTOR STEFANOWSKI'S.
COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
RODRIGO BLANCO, UH,
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE AT ROLAND
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
ALSO REPRESENTING ROLAND.
CHAPTER 133 FOR CSCA.
AND I'M, UH, IN LINE WITH DOCTOR JULIE MITCHELL.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS DEREK HOLLINGSWORTH.
I'M TEACHER ENROLLED IN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
CURRENT ASSOCIATION OF RURAL
AND EDUCATOR, CTA PRESIDENT.
AND I AM IN ALIGNMENT WITH DOCTOR
MITCHELL'S OPPOSITION TO THIS.
THANK YOU.
ALEJANDRO FLORES, INCOMING.
SUPERINTENDENT.
FOR THE RURAL UNIFIED.
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND.
IN ALIGNMENT WITH.
OPPOSITE BOTH.
OPPOSITIONS.
COMMENTS AND THANK YOU.
FOR YOUR WORK WITH THIS WORK FOR THE AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE?
SEEING NONE.
THANK YOU, SENATOR NEWMAN, FOR,
UM, BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, I, I ASKED YOU WE HAD A VERY
ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUR BILL,
UH, NOT ONLY IN MY OFFICE, BUT, UH, SUBSEQUENT,
UH, BETWEEN OUR OFFICES.
UM, AND I ASKED YOU, YOU KNOW,
WHY ARE YOU BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD?
AND YOU BROUGHT YOUR YOUR STAR WITNESS
FROM WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I SEE THIS IS, YOU KNOW,
SHE'S THE REASON WHY YOU BROUGHT THE BILL FORWARD.
UM, AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW,
I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE,
UH, ESPECIALLY ALL THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
PARENTS, UH, THAT AS WELL AS, OF COURSE,
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF,
UH, OF THE HOME OR THE THE DISTRICTS
OF RESIDENTS THAT,
UH, THAT CAME FORWARD TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS.
AND IT WAS REALLY THAT THAT BALANCING ACT.
HOW DO WE GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS LIKE,
YOU KNOW, UM, YOU FROM WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL, UH,
WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING SURE THAT, UH,
THAT WE ARE, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, NOT PROMOTING,
UH, THE SEGREGATION OF SCHOOLS NOT TO,
TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS,
UH, NOT ONLY THE DISTRICTS OF CHOICE,
BUT ALSO THE DISTRICTS OF RESIDENCE.
AND SO, UH, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THESE AMENDMENTS
STRIKE THAT BALANCE IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.
UM, HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE BILL, AS AMENDED.
UH, SENATOR NEWMAN, YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.
AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
I WANT TO I WANT TO THANK MY WITNESSES,
ESPECIALLY MISS AVILA CASTELLANOS,
WHO WAS HANGING IN THE BALANCE,
I'M SURE, UNTIL YOU YOU SPOKE.
AND ONE DAY, JUST ONE DAY,
I WANT TO HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE STAND
IN LINE AND AGREE WITH ME AS THEY
HAVE WITH DOCTOR MITCHELL.
JUST JUST ONE DAY.
UH, SO.
BUT BUT, YOU KNOW, TRULY.
THANK YOU.
NOT JUST THE COMMITTEE, BUT BUT TO OPPOSITION.
WE HAD A WE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS,
I THINK I THINK WE,
UH, ALL VERY PRODUCTIVE, ALL VERY COLLEGIAL.
UH, AND I THINK THE END RESULT IS A BILL
THAT I THINK WE CAN ALL LIVE WITH,
THAT THAT DOES SEEK TO FIND THE BALANCE.
THAT CHAIR JUST DESCRIBED.
WE IN CALIFORNIA HAVE EMBRACED A NUMBER OF MODELS,
UH, TO, TO, YOU KNOW,
TRY TO FIND BASES FOR IMPROVEMENT
ACROSS CALIFORNIA'S
VERY COMPLEX EDUCATIONAL ECOSYSTEM.
UH, DISTRICT OF CHOICE IS ONE OF THOSE MODELS
THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR 30 YEARS.
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN ITS VALUE,
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW,
YOU HAVE VALIDATION FROM THE SCHOOLS, UH,
FROM THE DISTRICT, OAK PARK, UH,
BUT ALSO FROM THIS YOUNG WOMAN
WHO DID SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB.
UH, AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS PROGRESS.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT PROGRESS.
AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN I VOTE.
MR.
FLOOR.
VICE CHAIR.
FLOOR MADE A MOTION.
UM, MR.
ALVAREZ SECONDS.
MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
ITEM SIX, SB 897.
THE MOTION IS TO PASS, AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
AYE.
MAYOR SUU KYI, I.
FLORA.
IRIS.
ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I.
BONTA.
HOOVER.
MCCARTY.
THREE ZERO.
THE BILL IS ON CALL.
I WILL WAIT FOR THE REST OF
THE COMMITTEE TO TO ADD ON.
UM.
THE BILL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE
FOR COMING OUT FOR THIS BILL.
SARAH NEWMAN, WOULD YOU?
WHICH BILL WOULD YOU LIKE TO?
WE WILL MOVE ON.
THANK YOU.
JIM.
ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO 907.
THE SECOND OF MY MY THREE BILLS TODAY.
OKAY.
THIS IS FILE NUMBER SEVEN,
SENATE BILL 907, UH, BY SENATOR NEWMAN.
ACTUALLY.
ONE SECOND.
WE HAD A LITTLE THREE CARD MONTE
PROBLEM WITH THE NOTEBOOKS
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU.
1263 OKAY.
TO CATCH THIS IS FILE NUMBER 14, SENATE BILL 1263.
DO YOU HAVE A WITNESS?
DO NOT.
SO.
EFREN HERRERA.
TERRIFIC.
THANK YOU.
SORRY ABOUT THAT LITTLE HICCUP.
UH, MR.
CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS, I'M PLEASED TO HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT SB 1263,
WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE CALIFORNIA COMMISSION
ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING TO CONVENE
A WORKING GROUP COMPOSED OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS,
TEACHER EDUCATORS,
AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT EXPERTS TO REVIEW
CALIFORNIA'S TEACHER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT,
ALSO KNOWN AS THE TPA, AND ITS CURRENT FORM,
WITH AN EXPRESS FOCUS ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION
AND ITS IMPACTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING COMMITTEE STAFF,
STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR BILL SPONSORS FOR
THEIR WORK ON THE RECENT AMENDMENTS
THAT SIGNIFICANTLY AMEND THE BILL TO NO
LONGER ENTIRELY ELIMINATE THE TPA,
BUT INSTEAD FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE IT.
THESE AMENDMENTS REMOVE MOST OF THE OPPOSITION,
AND WE EXPECT MORE GROUPS TO MOVE
TO A NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER THEY HAVE TIME
TO REVIEW THE NEW VERSION OF THE BILL.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, TEACHING CANDIDATES IN CALIFORNIA
ARE REQUIRED TO FULFILL MULTIPLE REQUIREMENTS AS
A CONDITION OF BEING ISSUED A PRELIMINARY TEACHING
CREDENTIAL TO INCLUDE SUBJECT MATTER PROFICIENCY,
TEACHER PREPARATION, COURSE REQUIREMENTS,
600 HOURS OF CLINICAL PRACTICE,
READING INSTRUCTION COMPETENCY,
AND A TEACHER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT.
AS CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED,
THE TPA HAS BECOME A LARGELY
DUPLICATIVE AND UNDULY ONEROUS PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT,
ONE WHICH HAS THE NET IMPACT OF DETRACTING
FROM A TEACHER CANDIDATE'S
ABILITY TO FOCUS ON APPLYING THE CONCEPTS AND SKILLS
OF TEACHER PREPARATION IN REAL
CLASSROOMS WHILE OVERSEEING
BY MENTOR TEACHERS DURING SUPERVISED
CLINICAL PRACTICE.
WHILE WELL-INTENTIONED,
THE INTENSE DEMANDS CURRENTLY
PLACED UPON TEACHING CANDIDATES IN PREPARING FOR
THE TPA TEND TO HAVE THE PERVERSE EFFECT OF ACTUALLY
REDUCING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF TEACHER PREPARATION,
SPECIFICALLY BY UNDERMINING THE CAPACITY OF TEACHER
CANDIDATES TO FOCUS ON THEIR CLINICAL PRACTICE.
IT IS A WIDELY ACCEPTED FACT THAT CALIFORNIA
IS FACING A VERY SUBSTANTIAL,
ONGOING TEACHER SHORTAGE THAT WE WILL NEED
TO ADDRESS FOR THE 20 2324 SCHOOL YEAR.
COUNTIES REPORTED NEARLY 25,000
TEACHER HIRES WERE NEEDED TO FILL NEW
OR RECENTLY VACATED POSITIONS.
THE STATE'S EXISTING EDUCATOR PIPELINE, HOWEVER,
IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THAT KIND OF DEMAND.
THE 2022 2023 COMMISSION ON TEACHER
CREDENTIALING TEACHING
REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ATTESTED TO THAT,
AND FOUND THAT THE NUMBER OF NEW TEACHING
CREDENTIALS ISSUED DURING
THAT PERIOD WAS ACTUALLY THE LOWEST
IN THE HISTORY OF THAT REPORT.
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL
TEACHER ASSESSMENT PROCESS
AND TO ENSURE A DIVERSE AND PREPARED
EDUCATOR WORKFORCE.
SB 1263 WILL REQUIRE THE COMMISSION ON TEACHER
CREDENTIALING TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP,
WHICH WILL ASSESS THE CURRENT
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE TEACHER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS,
AND TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING
HOW TO IMPROVE THESE ASSESSMENTS.
THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE WORKGROUP
TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCERNING THESE ASSESSMENTS
BY MARCH 1ST OF NEXT YEAR,
FOR THE COMMISSION TO VOTE AND ADOPT A SET OF
RECOMMENDATIONS BY JULY 1ST OF NEXT YEAR,
AND FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE ADOPTED
AND IMPLEMENTED NOT LATER THAN JULY 1ST OF 2028.
THROUGH ITS AMENDED PROVISIONS,
SB 1263 WILL PROVIDE A BETTER BASIS FOR
TEACHERS AND TEACHER EDUCATORS TO
MAKE MEANINGFUL RECOMMENDATIONS
ON HOW BEST TO IMPROVE
THE TPA HERE TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF SB 1263.
AS MANDY REDFERN ON BEHALF OF
THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
ALSO WITH US IS EFREN HERRERA.
FROM CTA TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU.
AND I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR I VOTE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, ASSEMBLY EDUCATION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DOCTOR MANDY REDFERN,
AND I AM THE ELECTED CHAIR OF CTA'S
CREDENTIALS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
STATE COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE TEACHER PERFORMANCE
ASSESSMENTS OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS
HAS LED TO THE TPAS BECOMING HIGH STAKES
BARRIERS FOR ASPIRING EDUCATORS.
THE CTC'S DATA SHOWS THAT
THE TPAS DISPROPORTIONATELY
HARM ASPIRING BIPOC EDUCATORS,
CREATING A BARRIER TO A MORE
DIVERSE EDUCATOR WORKFORCE,
WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE MORE THAN 10,000
TEACHER VACANCIES.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL WILL
LEAD TO IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TPA
FOR CANDIDATES WITHOUT COMPROMISING ADHERENCE
TO THE TEACHER PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS,
AS WELL AS PROVIDE POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM
SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE WORKGROUP.
THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS,
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REACH CONSENSUS
THAT THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE TPAS IS FRAUGHT WITH CONCERN,
AND WE KNOW THAT THE FIRST STEP IN ADDRESSING
A PROBLEM IS ADMITTING THAT THERE IS ONE TEACHER.
CANDIDATES ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRED
TO COMMIT A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF TIME TO FULFILL THE TPA REQUIREMENTS,
WHICH DETRACTS FROM THE MORE MEANINGFUL
CLINICAL PRACTICE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF
TEACHER CANDIDATES ARE TAKING
ON SIGNIFICANT STUDENT LOAN DEBT
DURING THE TPA PROCESS.
CANDIDATES ALSO PARTICIPATE IN COURSEWORK
AND CLINICAL PRACTICE,
WHICH ARE ALL DUPLICATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
89% OF RESPONDENTS TO THE CTA SURVEY
REPORTED THAT THE CURRENT ITERATION
OF THE TPA HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT
ON THEIR PERSONAL LIVES.
AS SUCH, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION
TO ADDRESS THE UNNECESSARY
AND HARMFUL BARRIERS THAT
THE TPA IS CAUSING CANDIDATES.
CTA IS HERE HERE TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS
IN EVERY STEP OF THIS PROCESS.
WE'RE ALSO COMMITTED TO KEEPING A WATCHFUL
EYE TO ENSURE THAT OUR SYSTEM IS MEETING
THE NEEDS OF OUR CANDIDATES SO THAT THEY CAN
MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL CALIFORNIA STUDENTS.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR I VOTE.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY DISH YOU WANT.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
UM, PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
BRIAN HOWE WITH THE.
CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION.
WE'RE IN STRONG SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
KATHLEEN FAY ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA STATE PTA,
WE SUPPORT THE BILL.
MR.
CHAIRMAN, I'M BRIAN REEVES.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF.
OF TRUST WEST.
WE'VE CHANGED OUR POSITION.
WE'RE NOW IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF AND SENATOR
NEWMAN FOR WORKING OUT AN AGREEMENT.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
WITH CHILDREN NOW DOING, UH, BRIAN RIVAS COMMENTS.
CHAIR AND MEMBERS JONATHAN.
FELDMAN, CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
AND SUPPORT.
JONATHAN HOWARD HERE ON BEHALF OF THE.
CALIFORNIA COMMISSION.
ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
THANKS TO THE SPONSORS AND THE AUTHOR.
TIFFANY BARKER ON BEHALF OF CFT AND SUPPORT.
THANKS.
ADRIAN MIOTTI.
IRVINE UNIFIED.
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ENGLISH TEACHER, HIGH SCHOOL.
AND CTA MEMBER ON THE STATE COUNCIL.
CREDENTIAL.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
HI AGAIN, CHRIS BOUCHER.
HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER,
BEVERLY HILLS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CASSIE MANCINI ON.
BEHALF OF CTIA IN SUPPORT.
I.
I'M CAITLIN REDFERN.
A STUDENT AT LACONIA.
HIGH.
SCHOOL, AND I'M.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT.
ANY WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
SEEING NONE.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
MOTION'S BEEN MADE BY MR.
ALVAREZ, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR FLORA.
QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SENATOR NEWMAN.
UM, UH, I WANT TO, UH, UH, ESPECIALLY THANK,
UH, THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION,
UH, AND, UH, UM, THE NEGOTIATIONS,
THE AGREEMENT THAT YOU REACHED,
UH, TO, UH, NOT ENTIRELY, UH,
AT THIS POINT, ELIMINATE THE, UH,
THE TPA, UM, BUT, YOU KNOW,
TO WORK ON HOW TO IMPROVE IT.
UM, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS,
YOU KNOW, ARE READY AND PREPARED,
UH, TO TEACH, UH, ESPECIALLY, UM,
IN ADDRESSING MANY OF THE, THE ISSUES,
UH, WHETHER IT'S DEALING WITH, UH,
STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA OR, UM, YOU KNOW,
SOME OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE,
UH, EMBEDDED INTO THE TPA.
UM, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT, UH, UH,
IT IS MEETING THE GOAL OF, OF OF OF, UH, UH,
ENSURING THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE
PREPARED TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS
WHILE AT THE SAME TIME NOT BEING
AN UNNECESSARY BARRIER.
UM, THAT IS FURTHER CONTRIBUTING TO
OUR TEACHER SHORTAGE, AS WELL AS,
UH, TO OUR EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY
OUR TEACHER WORKFORCE.
SO, UM, VERY IMPORTANT.
BILL, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE BILL.
SENATOR NEWMAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE?
YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY DONE MY CLOTHES FOR ME, MR.
CHAIR, AND I DO APPRECIATE IT, BUT I WANT TO SALUTE,
UH, CTA ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT?
THEY'RE WHAT THEY SET OUT TO DO,
AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO,
UH, IS, IS REALLY TWO THINGS.
ONE IS TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS ARE, IN FACT,
GETTING THE BEST BY WAY OF TRAINING,
ASSESSMENT, GUIDANCE, MENTORSHIP,
BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY,
THAT WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING
THAT IMPEDES THE VERY SERIOUS
CHALLENGE OF EXPANDING OUR
TEACHER EDUCATOR PIPELINE,
BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT IT PROPERLY REFLECTS
THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE STUDENTS
WHOM THEY WILL TEACH.
AND SO I THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT WORK
AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
THANK YOU, MADAM SECRETARY.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
FINAL ITEM 14 SB 1263.
THE MOTION IS DUE.
PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR.
SUSHI.
MAYOR.
SUSHI I FLORA.
FLORA I ADDIS.
ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I BONTA.
HOOVER.
MCCARTY.
THREE.
OH, THE BILL IS ON CALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A FILE NUMBER SEVEN.
UH, SENATE BILL 907.
LAST FOR SENATOR NEWMAN'S BILLS.
WE STILL GOT MORE THAN TEN BILLS TO GO.
I PROMISE.
I PROMISE THAT'S MY LAST.
THIS IS MY LAST BILL, I PROMISE.
END OF THE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.
AS YOU KNOW, MR.
CHAIR, AND MEMBERS, I AM PLEASED TO HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT SB 907,
A DISTRICT BILL WHICH, WHEN PASSED,
WILL IMPROVE REPRESENTATION AND ELECTORAL
PARTICIPATION IN ORANGE COUNTY BY
MAKING TWO VERY SENSIBLE CHANGES TO
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
FIRST, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TRUSTEES FROM
THE CURRENT 5 TO 7 MEMBERS, AND SECONDLY,
SHIFTING THE BOARD'S ELECTIONS FROM
THE PRIMARY BALLOT AS CURRENTLY
CONDUCTED AND INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
MY OFFICE HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION ON AMENDMENTS THAT WILL
NOW MOVE THEM TO NEUTRAL.
THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD INCREASE
THE NUMBER OF TRUSTEES AS
PART OF THE NEXT DECENNIAL REDISTRICTING
PROCESS IN 2030,
WHILE SHIFTING THE ELECTION OF BOARD TRUSTEES
TO THE GENERAL ELECTION STARTING IN 2026.
THE ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
FORMED IN 1977 AND JOINTLY GOVERNED BY
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT,
IS RESPONSIBLE,
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIAL
EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO MORE THAN 91,000
STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE AMONG THE COUNTY'S
MOST VULNERABLE AND DISADVANTAGED.
THE OC BOE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING
AND DEVELOPING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT
THE NEARLY HALF MILLION STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ORANGE
COUNTY'S 28 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
AS WELL AS SERVING AS THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY
OF LAST RESORT FOR CHARTER SCHOOL
APPLICATIONS REJECTED BY LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS.
SINCE ORANGE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WAS ESTABLISHED IN ITS MODERN FORM,
ITS POPULATION HAS NEARLY DOUBLED FROM 1.8
MILLION PEOPLE IN 1977 TO ITS CURRENT
POPULATION OF NEARLY 3.2 MILLION,
MAKING ORANGE COUNTY NOW THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY
BY POPULATION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
OF THE STATE'S TEN LARGEST COUNTY,
ORANGE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY ONE OF
ONLY FOUR WHOSE COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION
HAVE ONLY FIVE TRUSTEES.
FURTHER, IN THE NEARLY FIVE DECADES
SINCE THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION,
ORANGE COUNTY'S POPULATION HAS ALSO
BECOME INFINITELY MORE DIVERSE.
ACCORDING TO THE 2000 CENSUS.
AT THAT TIME, MORE THAN 50%
OF OC POPULATION WAS WHITE.
AS OF THE MOST RECENT CENSUS,
THAT SHARE HAD DROPPED TO LESS THAN 30% 37%,
WITH ORANGE COUNTY HAVING NOW BECOME
A RESOUNDINGLY MINORITY MAJORITY COUNTY.
EXPANDING THE BOARD FROM ITS CURRENT FIVE
TRUSTEES TO SEVEN WILL ENSURE THAT IT
MORE FULLY REFLECTS THAT DIVERSITY WITHIN
ITS ELECTED MEMBERSHIP OVER TIME.
MOVING THE ELECTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD
OF EDUCATION TRUSTEES INTO THE NOVEMBER
GENERAL WILL ALSO ENSURE HIGHER PARTICIPATION
BY THAT MORE DIVERSE ELECTORATE.
THIS WOULD BE A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN NOT ONE,
NOT ONE, BUT TWO DIRECTIONS.
FIRST, AS MENTIONED, IT WILL
RESULT OVER TIME IN A BOARD
THAT MORE CLOSELY REFLECTS OC'S CHANGING POPULATION.
AND SECONDLY, JUST AS IMPORTANTLY,
INCLUDING INCLUDING THE VOTE
FOR COUNTY BOARD TRUSTEES
ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT WILL GIVE VOTERS
A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE AND CONNECT
WITH CANDIDATES AND THE EVENTUAL ELECTED BOARD
MEMBERS AS PART OF THE CRITICAL TASK
OF RECONNECTING RESIDENTS TO CIVIC INSTITUTIONS
LIKE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,
ABOUT WHICH THEY ARE INCREASINGLY INCREASINGLY
DISCONNECTED AND ABOUT WHICH THEY ARE OFTEN
QUITE MISINFORMED WHEN IT COMES TO IMPORTANT
CONVERSATIONS AROUND EDUCATION AND ACCESS.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS MATTERS A GREAT DEAL HERE
TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IS LUCA GRECO,
A PARENT AND THE ADVOCACY CO-CHAIR FOR
THE CAPISTRANO SCHOOL DISTRICT PTSA,
THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ORANGE COUNTY
AND A MEMBER OF FOURTH DISTRICT PTA.
I AM RESPECTFULLY ASKING FOR YOUR I VOTE TODAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
IN 1816.
THOMAS JEFFERSON WROTE, I AM CERTAINLY
NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR
FREQUENT AND UNTRIED CHANGES
IN LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONS,
BUT I KNOW ALSO THAT LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS
MUST ADVANCE AND KEEP PACE WITH TIME.
THE ORANGE COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED
DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST FIVE DECADES,
YET THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ORANGE COUNTY REMAINS
THE SAME AS THE PTA ADVOCATE FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.
I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THE FOURTH DISTRICT PTA,
REPRESENTING OVER 100,000 MEMBERS, SUPPORTS SB 907.
IT IS AN UNDISPUTABLE FACT THAT
THE VOTER PARTICIPATION IS
HIGHER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION
THAN IN THE PRIMARIES.
IN MY OPINION, UNLESS THE GOAL IS
TO SUPPRESS THE VOTER TURNOUT,
THERE IS NO REASON TO OPPOSE THIS CHANGE.
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS
ESTABLISHED IN ITS MODERN FORM IN 1977.
ALISO VIEJO, MY HOMETOWN, DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL 2001.
IRVINE, THE LARGEST CITY IN ORANGE COUNTY,
GREW FROM 11,000 PEOPLE IN 1977 TO 330,000 NOW.
ORANGE COUNTY'S POPULATION HAS
GROWN FROM 1.8 TO 3.2 MILLION.
INCREASING THE BOARD SIZE FROM
5 TO 7 MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
ORANGE COUNTY, BEING THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY.
COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA, WOULD BENEFIT
FROM SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS.
THIS WOULD ENHANCE REPRESENTATION
ACROSS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES,
ENSURING EVERY AREA HAS A VOICE
IN EDUCATIONAL POLICIES.
MORE MEMBERS ALSO WILL FOSTER
GREATER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN
THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS NOT A BILL, JUST ABOUT NUMBERS.
IT'S ABOUT ENSURING FAIR ELECTIONS
AND BETTER REPRESENTATION
FOR ORANGE COUNTY'S DIVERSE POPULATION.
LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND ENSURE OUR EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS EVOLVE WITH TIME'S.
ALSO, I APPRECIATE THE AUTHOR'S
WILLINGNESS TO TAKE AMENDMENTS.
PLEASE VOTE YES.
THANK YOU.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
KATHLEEN FAY ON BEHALF OF ORANGE
COUNTY'S FOURTH DISTRICT PTA.
WE SUPPORT THE BILL.
TIFFANY MAUCK ON BEHALF OF CFT AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
DERRICK HOLLINGSWORTH,
PARENT OF STUDENTS IN FULLERTON,
IN SUPPORT.
ALEJANDRO FLORES FULLERTON RESIDENT IN SUPPORT.
CASSIE MANCINI ON BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT.
ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC
COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD MORNING, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO TESTIFY TODAY.
TOM SHEEHY, ON BEHALF OF THE ORANGE
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION,
AND WE ARE HERE IN OPPOSITION TO SB 907,
IN ITS CURRENT FORM.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE AUTHOR
AND HIS STAFF ON A SET
OF AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD REMOVE OUR OPPOSITION,
AND WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE AUTHOR'S
WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMPLETING
THIS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
AND GETTING AN OUTCOME THAT
WILL BE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.
WITH ME HERE TODAY, I HAVE FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT
AND CURRENT TRUSTEE, MISS MARY BARKEY,
AND WE ARE BOTH HERE TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
DID YOU WANT TO, UH, UH,
HAVE ANY COMMENTS AT THIS POINT?
OR YOU WANT TO JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS?
OKAY.
WE'RE GOOD, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS
IF THERE ARE ANY.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR MARTIN
RADOSEVICH ON BEHALF OF BOB.
NAYLOR, WHO CAN'T BE HERE REPRESENTING FELSTED IN.
OPPOSITION.
THANK YOU.
HI, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE GOKEY.
I REPRESENT SUNCOAST PREP ACADEMY
AND I'M OPPOSED TO THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
LANCE CHRISTIANSON, CALIFORNIA POLICY CENTER,
AND AGREE WITH SENATOR NEWMAN THAT
WE NEED TO ADJUST REPRESENTATION.
UH, WHEN THE BILL IS AMENDED,
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT
AND HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE
IS ADJUSTED JUST AS ACCORDINGLY TO REPRESENT
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, MY NAME IS GLADYS GONZALEZ.
I AM A HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
AND I AM IN OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL.
WE ARE THE GARCIA.
FAMILY FROM LANCASTER AND WE OPPOSE SB 907.
HI, MY NAME IS NIKKI NICOLA.
I'M FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND I OPPOSE.
BILL SB.
907.
MY NAME IS BAILEY.
ACKLAND AND I.
OPPOSE.
SB 907.
HI, I'M WENDY EKLUND FROM PLACENTIA,
ADVOCATE FOR SCHOOL CHOICE,
REPRESENTING FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.
AND WE OPPOSE SB 907.
THANKS.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
BRING IT BACK TO MR.
ALVAREZ.
THANK YOU.
UH, I AM IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, SO I DON'T HAVE
ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY.
SO I'D LIKE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS TO
THE AUTHOR AND TO BE THE OPPOSITION.
UM, WHAT IS THE.
SO CURRENTLY THE ELECTIONS OCCUR WHEN.
CURRENTLY THE THE ELECTION FOR THE BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OCCURRED DURING THE PRIMARY,
AND IT'S A SO-CALLED ONE AND DONE ELECTION.
YOU CAN YOU CAN WIN ELECTION IN A LOW
TURNOUT PRIMARY WITH A VERY LOW VOTE,
ESPECIALLY RELATIVE TO THE LARGER ELECTORATE
THAT WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE GENERAL.
THANK YOU.
UM, AND IS THERE OPPOSITION FROM
THE BOARD ON MOVING THE ELECTION DATE?
UM, MR.
ALVAREZ, IF I MAY, AS I SAID, WE'RE WORKING ON A SET
OF AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD REMOVE OUR OPPOSITION.
I DON'T I SHOULDN'T SAY I MY
CLIENT DOESN'T SEE THEM MOVE
TO NOVEMBER AS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE LEGISLATION.
THANK YOU.
UM.
THE SECOND THING YOU DO IS YOU
GO FROM IT WAS THIS WOULD
BE ALIGNED TO STATE AND STATE PRIMARIES, I ASSUME.
UH, NO.
SO WHAT?
WHAT THE.
SORRY, UH, SORRY.
GENERAL ELECTIONS OF STATES.
SO NOVEMBER'S OF THE YEARS, I GUESS, RIGHT?
WELL, EXACTLY.
SO.
OKAY.
YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON THE YEAR, IT'S EITHER 3 OR 2.
RIGHT.
BUT BUT THE ELECTION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN
THE HIGHER TURNOUT GENERAL ELECTION.
THANK YOU.
UM, WHAT IS THE CURRENT?
UM.
YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHIC
SHIFTS IN ORANGE COUNTY.
UM.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP OF THE BOARD?
JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY.
I WANT TO LET MR.
SHI ANSWER, BUT I WANT TO.
I WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT THAT THE INTENT
HERE IS NOT TO CHANGE THE CURRENT MAKEUP.
IT'S TO ENSURE, OVER TIME, MOST OF ALL,
THAT CONSTITUENTS HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THIS
BOARD IS AS REPRESENTATIVE AS POSSIBLE.
BUT GO AHEAD.
NO, I JUST I WANT TO KNOW WHAT
THE CURRENT REPRESENTATION IS.
SURE.
UH, ASSEMBLYMAN ALVAREZ, THANK YOU.
TOM SHEEHY, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION IN ORANGE COUNTY,
THERE'S FIVE TRUSTEES.
CURRENTLY, THERE IS A CUBAN AMERICAN,
THERE'S A JEWISH AMERICAN, TWO FEMALES.
THERE'S A CAUCASIAN MEDICAL DOCTOR.
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD,
UM, IS A CAUCASIAN GENTLEMAN.
AND, UM.
IS THERE OPPOSITION FROM THE BOARD
ON GOING TO SEVEN MEMBERS?
IS THAT ONE OF THE POINTS OF.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO NEGOTIATE AMENDMENTS
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW?
WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AUTHOR
ON WHAT COULD REMOVE OUR OPPOSITION.
AND HE IS THE THE ISSUE THAT
WE HAVE RAISED ALL ALONG.
THIS IS A PUBLIC ISSUE.
SO I'M NOT RAISING ANYTHING NEW.
MR.
NEWMAN'S HEARD US TESTIFY THIS
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
THE PROBLEM WITH HOW HIS BILL
IS IN ITS CURRENT FORM,
AND WHY WE'RE STILL OPPOSED IS BECAUSE UNDER
THE PROVISIONS IN HIS BILL, AS IT IS TODAY, UM,
IF IT WERE PASSED AND SENT TO
THE GOVERNOR AND SIGNED INTO LAW,
IT WOULD TRIGGER A MID MID CYCLE
REDISTRICTING BECAUSE
IT WOULD ADD TWO MORE TRUSTEE DISTRICTS.
SO IT WOULD FORCE MY CLIENT TO GO BACK
INTO THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.
THAT WOULD BE THERE'S A NUMBER
OF PROBLEMS WITH THAT.
NUMBER ONE, IT WOULD BE VERY DISRUPTIVE
TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
NUMBER TWO, IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
MY CLIENT SPENT IN TOTAL FOLLOWING
THE FAIR MAPS ACT.
THEY SPENT $684,000.
AND WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE ADDED UP EVERY INVOICE,
EVERY PURCHASE ORDER AND EVERY RECEIPT FOR LATE
NIGHT PIZZAS FOR ALL THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
SO A MID CYCLE REDISTRICTING IS GOING TO
COST IN THE MID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS,
AS THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SAID,
AND IT WILL BE VERY DISRUPTIVE.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SENATOR ON OPTIONS TO,
UM, ELIMINATE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
AND WHEN WE AND WE LOOK FORWARD
TO COMPLETING THAT PROCESS
AND HAVING A GOOD OUTCOME, I'LL LET YOU RESPOND.
LET ME BE EXPLICIT.
LET ME.
GO AHEAD.
I'LL LET YOU RESPOND.
BUT YOU KNOW THE OPPOSITION WHEN
YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
YOU SAID YOU'RE HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
SO I ASKED YOU A QUESTION AND WE'RE
NOT NEGOTIATING AMENDMENTS.
I'M ASKING YOU A QUESTION ABOUT DO YOU
HAVE OPPOSITION OF GOING FROM 5 TO 7?
AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T TRIGGER
MID CYCLE REDISTRICTING?
WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
OKAY.
WOULD YOU.
LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING.
TO BE CLEAR.
YOU KNOW I'M PREPARED TO.
IN FACT I'VE COMMITTED TO TAKING AUTHOR
AMENDMENTS MOVING FORWARD.
THAT WOULD THAT THAT WOULD PROVIDE THAT THAT
THE EXPANSION WOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN AND ACCORDING
TO THE NEXT DECENNIAL CENSUS REORGANIZATION
SO THAT THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVELY 20, 32.
UH, AND THAT'S, THAT IS TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION
THE VERY VALID CONCERN
ABOUT A MID A MIDTERM REDISTRICTING
AND THE COST THAT MIGHT ENTAIL.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S
THE BILL THAT WILL WILL ACTUALLY
MAKE ITS WAY AFTER APPROPRIATIONS
TO THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER CONCERNS, SENATOR NEWMAN,
THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED TO YOU BY
THE OPPOSITION BEYOND THOSE TWO?
I ACTUALLY KNOW.
I MEAN, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE OPPOSITION.
I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD SPACE, UH,
TO REMOVE THEIR OPPOSITION,
AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
UH, SO, NO, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK
WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.
THANK YOU.
SENATOR.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
SEN.
NEWMAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ENGAGING.
WE WE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS BILL.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOUR OPPOSITION.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT, UH,
OR YOU'RE WORKING ON FINALIZING
AN AGREEMENT FOR AMENDMENTS
THAT WILL BE TAKEN IN THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
UM, SO TODAY WE ARE VOTING ON THE BILL AS IS.
UH, BUT, UH, UH, IT IS WITH
THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, UH,
UM, UH, WE ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT
YOU WILL BE REACHING A,
UH, AGREEMENT WHERE THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION WILL BE REMOVING THEIR OPPOSITION.
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE, UH, ABOVE ALL.
YOUR EFFORTS.
YOUR INTENT TO MAKE THE ORANGE
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MORE
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHANGING
POPULATION OF ORANGE COUNTY.
UH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE?
UH.
THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE.
AND I'M GRATEFUL TO THE OPPOSITION FOR,
UH, GETTING THAT POINT.
THANK YOU TO MY WITNESS AND ALL THE OTHER, UH,
FOLKS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS CONVERSATION
TO VALIDATE THE NEED FOR BOTH OF THESE CHANGES.
I WANT TO I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR,
BECAUSE I THINK IT GOT MUDDIED ALONG THE WAY.
THE INTENT HERE, UH, IS NOT PARTISAN.
IT IS NOT POLITICAL, NOR IS IT SPECIFICALLY
IN RELATION TO, YOU KNOW,
SOMETIMES FRAUGHT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
CHARTERS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WHAT THIS IS, IS EXACTLY WHAT
THE CHAIR ARTICULATED, WHICH IS,
UH, AN APPROPRIATE CHANGE, UH,
YOU KNOW, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT,
UH, THE SIZE OF THE COUNTY SINCE
THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND THE CHANGES IN DIVERSITY.
AND THE GOAL HERE IS TO HAVE, OVER TIME,
AN ELECTED BOARD THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE
OF THAT DIVERSITY
AND IS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY VOTER
IN THE COUNTY BY CHANGING
THE ELECTION DATE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.
WITH THAT, UH, LET ME REAFFIRM THAT WE
ARE GOING TO TAKE THOSE AMENDMENTS
PRIOR TO THE APPROPRIATIONS HEARING
AND ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE TODAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE MOTION MADE BY MR.
ALVAREZ, SECONDED BY MR., UH, VICE CHAIR FLOOR.
MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FILE.
ITEM SEVEN, SB 907.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MERCI.
MERCI, MERCI.
FLORA.
NO.
ADDIS.
ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I HOOVER MAKATI.
ALL RIGHT, 2 TO 1.
THE BILL IS ON CALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
MEMBERS.
THANK YOU.
CHAIR.
OKAY.
SINCE SENATOR STERN IS SUCH A GENTLEMAN.
UH, HE IS, UH, ALLOWING SENATOR
LYMAN TO JUMP THE LINE, UH,
TO PRESENT, UH, UH, FILE NUMBER 11,
SENATE BILL 1195.
MHM.
THIS BILL HAS A SUPPORT SUPPORT RECOMMENDATION.
WELCOME, SENATOR LYMAN.
AND SINCE THIS BILL DOES HAVE A SUPPORT SUPPORT,
I AM JUST GOING TO INTRODUCE OUR PRIMARY WITNESS,
EMMA, WHO WILL BE SAYING SOME
WORDS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS EMMA AND I AM AN INCOMING SENIOR
AT AT SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS BILL STEMMED FROM THE IDEA I HAD ONE DAY,
AS I PREPARED FOR MY AP TEST IN THE SPRING OF 2023.
I WAS TAKING TWO ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS
THAT YEAR AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
TAKEN IN THE FALL AND AP WORLD
HISTORY TAKEN IN THE SPRING.
I WONDERED WHY ISN'T THERE AN OPTION FOR STUDENTS
WHO TAKE AP CLASSES IN THE FALL SEMESTER?
I FELT OVERWHELMED WITH TRYING TO BALANCE STUDYING
FOR MY OTHER AP EXAM AND CLUB SOCCER.
I KNOW MANY FRIENDS AND STUDENTS
WHO AGREE THAT THEIR
CONFIDENCE IN TAKING AN AP EXAM FOR A CLASS
THEY TOOK IN THE SPRING IS WAY HIGHER THAN TAKING
AN AP EXAM FOR A CLASS THEY TOOK IN THE FALL.
SOME OF MY CLASSMATES HAVE EVEN
SAID THEY ARE SIMPLY NOT TAKING
THE AP EXAM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FEEL FULLY PREPARED.
A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ALSO
BUSY WITH EXTRACURRICULARS LIKE CLUBS AND SPORTS.
ALONG WITH JOBS AND SOCIAL TIME,
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL AS PREPARED
FOR THE EXAM IN MAY FOR A CLASS
THAT WON'T FINISH IN JANUARY.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH STUDYING IS INVOLVED,
STUDYING DOESN'T EQUAL REAL LIFE TEACHING.
THIS FIVE MONTH GAP LEAVES MANY
STUDENTS FEELING HOPELESS,
ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU START TO ADD
MULTIPLE AP CLASSES AND EXAMS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THIS YEAR I TOOK FOUR AP CLASSES,
TWO IN THE FALL AND TWO IN THE SPRING.
I FELT MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AND PREPARED FOR
THE EXAMS WITH THE CLASSES I TOOK IN THE SPRING,
BECAUSE THE CONTENT WAS MORE FRESH
AND I DIDN'T FEEL GREAT
ABOUT THE ONES I TOOK IN THE FALL,
EVEN THOUGH I STUDIED.
OVERALL, THE GOAL FOR TAKING THESE AP
CLASSES IS TO GET COLLEGE CREDIT,
AND THE TEST IS ALREADY TOUGH ENOUGH WITH
THE SCALE FROM 1 TO 5 AND 3 TO 5 BEING PASSING.
BUT MOST COLLEGES DON'T EVEN ACCEPT A THREE.
SB 1195 IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE
I SEE MY FRIENDS, CLASSMATES,
AND EVEN MYSELF STRUGGLING WITH THIS PROBLEM.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT STUDENTS IN COMING YEARS
WILL REAP THE BENEFITS AND BE ABLE
TO HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE THE AP
EXAM AT THE END OF THE FALL TERM.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR I VOTE.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UM, PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR.
CHAIR.
DOROTHY JOHNSON, ON BEHALF
OF ACTS OF THE ASSOCIATION
OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE.
THANK YOU.
ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT?
ANY WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION?
SEEING NONE.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION.
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE, MR.
ALVAREZ.
I JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU TO THE AUTHOR AND TO YOUR
WITNESS AS A PARENT OF AN INCOMING,
UH, HIGH SCHOOLER.
EDUCATION HAS CHANGED.
AND, YOU KNOW, I WASN'T AWARE THAT STUDENTS ARE NOW
TAKING A YEAR'S WORTH OF A COURSE IN A SEMESTER.
AND WHAT YOUR BILL IDEA DOES IS IT ALLOWS
THAT IF YOU'RE TAKING THAT COURSE,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN EXTENSIVE
PERIOD OF TIME WHEN SOME OF THAT,
YOU KNOW, OVER COURSE, I'VE FORGOTTEN
SOME THINGS IN CLASS THAT
I'VE LEARNED THAT HAPPENS AT
LEARNING LOSS DOES HAPPEN.
AND SO, UM, I APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING
ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS WHO
WILL NOW BE SERVED BY THIS,
AND I'D BE HAPPY TO MOVE THE ITEM.
THANK YOU.
VICE CHAIR FLOOR.
UH, THANK.
YOU, SENATOR, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOU BECAUSE
YOU TAKE HINTS VERY, VERY WELL.
BUT I ALSO REALIZE NOW WHY YOU DIDN'T
WANT THIS BILL ON CONSENT.
YOUR NIECE DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB,
INCREDIBLE PRESENTATION.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE.
MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EMMA,
FOR COMING ALL THE WAY FROM
SANTA BARBARA TO TESTIFY.
UH, YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB, AND I.
YOU KNOW, I'M ON BEHALF OF MY DAUGHTER,
WHO'S IN HIGH SCHOOL,
WHO'S TAKING A LOT OF AP COURSES.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR IDEA.
UH, SENATOR LIMO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE?
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN I VOTE.
THANK YOU.
UH, MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FILE.
ITEM 11, SB 1195.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
HI.
MAYOR SUU KYI, I FLORA.
FLORA I ADDIS.
ALVAREZ.
I BONTA.
EYE TO EYE.
HOOVER.
MAKATI.
FOUR ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
CONGRATULATIONS.
ALL RIGHT, SENATOR STERN, THE GENTLEMAN,
FILE NUMBER 15.
SENATE BILL 1277.
OKAY IF I GO IN FILE ORDER?
UM, WHICHEVER YOU PREFER.
OKAY.
UM.
WE ARE GOING TO BRING YOU SB 1277 FIRST,
IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
YES.
SO THIS IS THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE,
UH, ON HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION.
UM.
I WOULD SAY THIS BILL IS SOMEWHAT PERSONAL FOR
ME BECAUSE A VERY SPECIAL TEACHER TO ME,
WHEN I WAS IN EIGHTH GRADE, MRS.
IKES CHANGED MY WHOLE LIFE WHEN SHE,
UH, DECIDED NOT TO JUST HAVE US,
UM, GO READ DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
AND SORT OF BE DONE WITH THINGS.
BUT WHEN I WAS GETTING SWASTIKAS
PAINTED WITH WITE-OUT ON
THE BACK OF MY GREEN JANSPORT BY
KIDS IN GEOMETRY CLASS AND, UH,
FINDING HOOK NOSES AND SS THINGS
CODED INTO OUR SCHOOL NEWSPAPER,
SHE DECIDED TO STOP CLASS FOR
A WEEK AND INTRODUCE US.
AND NOT JUST ME, AND NOT JUST THE STUDENTS WHO
WERE DOING THIS TO ME IN A PUNITIVE WAY,
BUT TO TEACH THROUGH IT, UM,
TO TEACH THROUGH HATRED.
AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE BECAUSE SHE INTRODUCED ME TO.
UM, HENRY ROSMARIN AND SIDONIA LAKS,
AND A NUMBER OF HOLOCAUST
SURVIVORS WHO I MADE FRIENDS
WITH AS A 12 YEAR OLD KID.
UM, AND IT WOKE ME UP INTO BEING
A DIFFERENT KIND OF PERSON,
APPRECIATING EVERYTHING FROM LIKE THAT.
I HAVE A BATHROOM TO, TO GO TO, UH,
TO THAT LUNCH IS GOING TO BE
ON THE TABLE AND ALL KINDS
OF STUFF THAT KIND OF FLIES OUT OF YOUR HEAD
WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO BE A TEENAGER.
UM, BUT NOT EVERYONE'S LUCKY
ENOUGH TO JUST HAVE MRS.
IKES EVERYWHERE.
AND WE HAVE TEACHERS STRUGGLING WITH TEACHING THIS
KIND OF TOUGH CURRICULUM HERE IN THIS MOMENT.
UM, ESPECIALLY AS TERMS LIKE
THE HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE
BECOME EVER POLITICIZED AND EVER CHARGED.
UM, THAT IT'S BECOMING KIND OF A DEAD
LETTER IN OUR EDUCATION CODE.
UM, WE'RE CURRENTLY SURVEYING THE THE SYSTEM
UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL TO
SEE WHO'S EVEN TEACHING ABOUT HOLOCAUST
AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION IN CLASS.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHETHER FOLKS ARE
JUST SORT OF CHECKING THE BOX,
I THINK A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE STILL
STRUGGLING WITH HOW TO TO APPROACH
THE MATERIAL AND NOT JUST
THE MATERIAL ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST,
BUT HOW TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS
THAT AFFECT THEIR STUDENTS.
UM, WHAT HAPPENED TO BOSNIAN MUSLIMS?
UM, IN, IN, IN THE 90S OR WHAT HAPPENED TO
THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY,
OR THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY IN THE 1970S AND,
AND THINGS THAT SORT OF MAKE YOU YOU THINK
ABOUT WHERE YOU COME FROM, TOO.
UM, SO THE LEGISLATURE IS INVESTED
IN THIS TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE,
UH, FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.
UM, WE'VE BEEN PUSHING FUNDING TOWARDS IT,
AND WE'VE ALREADY EDUCATED HUNDREDS
OF TEACHERS AROUND CALIFORNIA.
UM, AND PUTTING TOGETHER A VERY
DIVERSE GROUP OF FOLKS TO THEN
GO BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES
AND START DOING THE WORK.
THE FEEDBACK'S BEEN AMAZING.
WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET $5 MILLION MORE IN
THE BUDGET TO EXTEND THIS PROGRAM OUT TO 2029,
BUT THIS BILL WOULD BUILD IT INTO THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
SO IT'S NOT JUST SORT OF A NONPROFIT
OPERATING THIS WORK ON THE OUTSIDE,
BUT THAT IT'S REALLY STAMPED AND LEGITIMIZED
BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
AND ABLE TO BECOME A RESOURCE FOR
FOLKS LIKE OUR LEAD WITNESS HERE,
WHO'S OUT OF THE ELK GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND OTHERS WHO HAVE TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO TRAIN TEACHERS WHO
HAVE TO FIND RESOURCES FOR THEM,
ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER DISTRICTS,
RURAL DISTRICTS THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE,
UM, A MISS BLACK LIKE LIKE ELK GROVE DOES.
UM, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE
THIS RESOURCE THERE TOO.
SO THIS TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE IS CURRENTLY ACTUALLY
MEETING DOWN IN LA AT THE USC RIGHT NOW.
UM, AT THE WHERE THE SHOAH FOUNDATION
IS HOSTING THEM.
AND WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 40 ETHNIC
STUDIES TEACHERS EVEN IN THIS THING.
UH, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS, HISTORY TEACHERS,
A MATH TEACHER WHO'S TEACHING ABOUT
STATISTICS AND HOW FACTS MATTER WHEN YOU'RE
ANALYZING THESE KINDS OF THINGS.
AND I'M I'M INSPIRED GETTING
OFF THE INTERNET AND GETTING
AROUND THIS TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE, TO ME,
GIVES ME A LOT OF HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND GETTING
IN THESE CLASSES WITH THESE TEACHERS.
UM, I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO DO SO.
EVERYONE'S GOT A TEACHER IN THEIR COMMUNITY
WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS.
I THINK I SHARED WITH SOME OF YOU
SOME DIRECT TESTIMONY FROM THEM.
UM, SO HOPEFULLY NOW WITH THIS BILL
AND A FEW OF THE AMENDMENT.
THE AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING TODAY.
UM, WITH THE COMMITTEE'S CONSENT
TO IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE SEVEN OF
YOUR YOUR ANALYSIS TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE'RE SORT OF INCLUSIVE,
THAT WE'RE NOT SORT OF LIMITED TO JUST
THE JUST A FEW INSTANCES OF GENOCIDE,
BUT THAT WE SORT OF WE USE THE WORDS
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, UM,
AND THAT WE MAKE THIS A VERY BIG TENT SO WE CAN
MOVE THE STATE EDUCATION FORWARD IN CALIFORNIA.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR
I VOTE AND I'M I'M HONORED TODAY TO HAVE UM,
NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATORS OF
THE TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE,
JEFF WEINER WHO'S DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
AT JFCS THERE HOLOCAUST CENTER.
UH, BUT ALSO DANIELLE BLACK, WHO RUNS CURRICULUM
AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT ELK GROVE,
AND HIS FORMER HISTORY TEACHER HERSELF.
MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
PLEASE PROCEED.
ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIRS AND COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS DANIELLE BLACK, AND I'M A PROGRAM.
SPECIALIST FOR.
CURRICULUM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
IN ELK GROVE UNIFIED.
AS MENTIONED, I SUPPORT TK 12 HISTORY
SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHERS,
AND I ALSO SERVE ON THE BOARD
FOR THE NONPROFIT CENTRAL
VALLEY HOLOCAUST EDUCATORS NETWORK CV TEN,
WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY CHILD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR LIZ
IGRA AND HER MISSION AT THE TIME WAS TO PROVIDE
HOLOCAUST WILL STILL CURRENTLY SHE'S STILL SHE'S
DOWN IN LA RIGHT NOW RUNNING A TRAINING.
SO HER MISSION WAS TO PROVIDE HOLOCAUST
EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS,
UM, AND TO SUPPORT THEM IN DOING THIS WORK.
I ATTENDED ONE OF HER TRAININGS
14 YEARS AGO AS A TEACHER,
AND AS SHE LIKES TO SAY, I NEVER LEFT.
AND SO I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE CENTRAL VALLEY
HOLOCAUST EDUCATORS NETWORK FOR ABOUT 14 YEARS,
AND WE WERE ABLE TO BECOME PART OF
THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE,
WHERE WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO CONNECT AND COLLABORATE
WITH OTHER GENOCIDE AND HOLOCAUST
EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.
AND WHAT THE COLLABORATIVE HAS ALLOWED US TO DO IS,
INSTEAD OF WORKING IN SILOS,
WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO AMPLIFY THE WORK AND GET
TO MORE TEACHERS AND THEREBY MORE STUDENTS.
UM, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THIS TYPE OF IMPACT,
UH, TRAINING CAN HAVE FOR TEACHERS.
AND AS THE SENATOR MENTIONED, THAT YOU HAVE
TEACHERS FROM ALL OVER CONTENT AREAS.
SO AN ART TEACHER TOOK ONE OF OUR CHILDREN
OF THE HOLOCAUST TRAININGS
AND THEN BROUGHT THE CREATED
AN ACTIVITY WHERE STUDENTS
WERE THEN CREATING PORTRAITS OF CHILDREN
WHO WERE LOST TO THE HOLOCAUST,
AND THEN PROVIDING A SHORT PARAGRAPH ABOUT THEM.
THESE WERE DISPLAYED AT AN OPEN HOUSE.
SO ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE AMPLIFYING AND SHARING
THESE STORIES IN A WAY THAT'S
MEANINGFUL AND DIFFERENT THAN WE MIGHT
BE DOING IN JUST A HISTORY CLASS.
UM, IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
THINGS THAT HAS COME OUT OF
THE COLLABORATIVE IS GIVING TEACHERS
THE CONFIDENCE TO TEACH THIS TOPIC.
SO NOT JUST THE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE,
BUT CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT,
KNOWING THAT THE RESOURCES THAT THEY'RE USING ARE
COMING FROM INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE RELIABLE.
UM, THAT ALSO MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
PART OF THE CALIFORNIA COLLABORATIVE
ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH
THESE EXPERIENCES THEMSELVES.
SO THAT FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, UM,
IS ALSO BEEN VERY IMPORTANT.
UH, THE CURRICULAR RESOURCES BY
THE TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE,
INCLUDING MATERIALS THAT CVN HAS DEVELOPED,
UM, HAS BEEN USED IN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS,
IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.
AND WE ALSO WORK WITH PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS.
COULD I ASK YOU TO WRAP UP, PLEASE?
THE CALIFORNIA COLLABORATIVE HAS
ESTABLISHED A FOUNDATION,
A NETWORK FOR PROVIDING SYSTEMIC TRAINING FOR
OUR TEACHERS THAT NEEDS TO BE SUSTAINED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MY NAME IS JEFF WEINER.
I'M THE PUBLIC.
POLICY DIRECTOR.
AT JEWISH FAMILY.
AND CHILDREN'S.
SERVICES IN THE BAY.
AREA, AND OUR HOLOCAUST CENTER
FACILITATES THE CALIFORNIA.
TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE.
UM, THANKS TO THREE YEARS.
OF FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE, AS.
THE SENATOR MENTIONED,
THE TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE IS.
A PARTNERSHIP.
OF 14 LEADING CALIFORNIA.
GENOCIDE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND SURVIVORS OF.
GENOCIDE.
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENT.
ALL PARTS OF.
THE STATE AND.
TEACH ABOUT A BROAD RANGE OF.
GENOCIDES.
THEY DEVELOP CURRICULA AND RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS,
AND THEY PROVIDE EDUCATOR TRAININGS,
WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
AND AS YOU HEARD RIGHT NOW IN LOS ANGELES, THE.
ENTIRE OR ALMOST THE ENTIRE.
COLLABORATIVE SHORT OF.
DANIELLE AND A.
COUPLE OF OTHERS.
ARE MEETING.
FOR THEIR, UM, THEIR LARGEST MEETING YET.
THE SUMMER INSTITUTE AND STATE
SUPERINTENDENT TONY THURMOND
JUST SPOKE THIS MORNING AND ADDRESSED THE GROUP.
SO, UM, I'VE BEEN TOLD TO SKIP THROUGH A LOT OF MY.
TESTIMONY.
AND I'LL MAKE MY WAY TO
THE END AND JUST KIND OF, UM.
TRY AND HAMMER.
HOME THIS FINAL POINT, WHICH IS THAT
CALIFORNIA WAS THE FIRST STATE
IN THE NATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING
OF HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE.
AND, UM, WHILE THAT'S AN.
AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT, WHAT WE.
KNOW IS THAT MANY TEACHERS, MOST TEACHERS, FRANKLY,
DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE TOOLS
AND THE CONFIDENCE TO BE ABLE TO TEACH IT.
AND SO WE THINK THAT CALIFORNIA
OUGHT TO BE THE FIRST STATE IN
THE NATION TO ALSO PROVIDE THIS KIND
OF SYSTEMIC TEACHER TRAINING.
UM, SO WE SHOULD SET A STANDARD
FOR OTHER STATES TO FOLLOW.
AND BY PASSING THIS IMPORTANT BILL,
YOU CAN HELP CALIFORNIA CONTINUE ITS ROLE
AS A LEADER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HATE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
IF ANY.
TIFFANY MOCK ON BEHALF OF CFD IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
KATHLEEN FAY ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA
STATE PTA IN SUPPORT.
MR.
CHAIR.
MR.
CHAIR CLIFF BURGE.
ON BEHALF OF THE JEWISH PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE,
THE LARGEST COALITION OF.
JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS.
IN THE NATION.
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT
THE BILL IS SUPPORTED BY 30 YEARS AFTER AMERICAN.
JEWISH COMMITTEE.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, HILLEL, SAN DIEGO HILLEL,
SILICON VALLEY ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE,
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF THE BAY AREA,
JEWISH FEDERATION OF LOS ANGELES, OVER 40.
MAJOR JEWISH.
ORGANIZATIONS IN.
CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR.
CHAIR, AND MEMBERS, PAMELA GIBBS,
REPRESENTING THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION,
AND WE'RE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE BILL.
GOOD AFTERNOON, BRIAN RICKS OF THE LOS ANGELES
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL
A WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
TWO MINUTES EACH.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MAYA STEINHARDT.
I AM A JEWISH EDUCATOR IN SACRAMENTO,
AND I AM SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO 1277.
HAVING A COLLABORATIVE.
ON GENOCIDE AND HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IS A GOOD THING.
UNFORTUNATELY, ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN.
THIS COLLABORATIVE DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE
THE CURRENT GENOCIDE.
IN GAZA.
THE UNITED.
NATIONS.
AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
HAVE DETERMINED THAT ISRAEL'S
CURRENT ACTIONS IN GAZA AMOUNT
TO PLAUSIBLE GENOCIDE.
34 COUNTRIES AND A WIDE VARIETY OF RESPECTED
HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS,
INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH.
THE NELSON MANDELA.
FOUNDATION AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, ALL SUPPORT.
SOUTH AFRICA'S UN CASE.
FOR.
INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ISRAEL FOR
THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF.
GENOCIDE.
THIS HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED,
AND YET THE COLLABORATIVE REMAINS SILENT.
WE ARE IN A NEW ERA.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE.
SOPHISTICATED.
CONSUMERS OF NEWS AND INFORMATION.
TODAY'S YOUTH ARE SKEPTICAL.
HOW CAN MEANINGFUL, EFFECTIVE EDUCATION.
OCCUR.
WHILE IGNORING THE ONGOING GENOCIDE IN GAZA,
YOUTH ARE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE SITUATION
AND ABSENCE FROM THE DISCUSSION.
DELEGITIMIZES IT AND IT PARALYZES
THIS CRITICAL EFFORT.
WE MUST NOT WAIT FOR THE HINDSIGHT OF HISTORY
WHEN THE PRESENT OFFERS A TEACHABLE MOMENT.
MY JUDAISM TEACHES ME THAT NOT ONE OF
US IS FREE UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE.
ENDING HATE, PREVENTING WAR AND GENOCIDE,
AND CREATING MORE JUST SOCIETIES IS DEPENDENT
ON HAVING EMPATHY FOR ALL PEOPLE.
THE COLLABORATIVE DOES NOT TEACH THIS.
GENOCIDE IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN ONE GROUP
OF PEOPLE DEHUMANIZES ANOTHER.
FAILING TO RECOGNIZE AND INCLUDE
WHAT IS READILY APPARENT
PERPETUATES THE CONDITIONS UNDER
WHICH GENOCIDE OCCURS.
I MUST ADD THAT THIS BILL USES
THE UN DEFINITION OF GENOCIDE.
THE UN HAS DETERMINED THAT ISRAEL'S
ACTIONS IN GAZA AMOUNT TO GENOCIDE.
I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL SENSITIVITY
SURROUNDING THE CRISIS IN GAZA,
AS WELL AS THE VERY REAL THREAT OF ANTI-SEMITISM
AS A JEWISH EDUCATOR.
BUT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE COURAGEOUS
AND APPLY THE FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLY THE FUNDS
EARMARKED IN THIS BILL FOR MORE INCLUSIVE TRAINING
THAT HONESTLY REPRESENTS TODAY'S WORLD.
THE COLLABORATIVE DOES NOT PREPARE
TEACHERS FOR CRITICAL EMPATHY,
BUILDING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR STUDENTS,
AND FURTHERS DANGEROUS PALESTINIAN
GENOCIDE DENIALISM.
COMPREHENSIVE TEACHER TRAINING
AND MATERIALS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED,
BUT SB 1277 AND THIS COLLABORATIVE
ARE NOT THE ANSWER.
THANK YOU.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS SETH MORRISON.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE SB 1277.
ON BEHALF OF JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE,
WE APPRECIATE THE NEED FOR GENOCIDE EDUCATION,
AND WE KNOW THAT EXISTING LAW
MAKES THAT A REQUIREMENT.
BUT WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS
IT ENABLES A BIASED GROUP.
DOMINATED BY PRO-ISRAEL ORGANIZATIONS TO
SET THE TONE FOR GENOCIDE EDUCATION.
THIS WILL NOT ENSURE UNBIASED EDUCATION.
IN FACT, IN THE TESTIMONY FROM MY FRIENDS HERE,
YOU HEARD HOLOCAUST, HOLOCAUST,
HOLOCAUST, AND BY THE WAY,
THERE WERE SOME OTHER GENOCIDES.
THAT IS NOT THE TEACHING WE WANT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER ADVOCACY
ORGANIZATION OR GROUP OF
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS DOMINATED
BY PARTISANS ON ONE ISSUE.
TO BE GIVEN SO MUCH INFLUENCE
OVER WHAT OUR TEACHERS TEACH,
NOT TO MENTION BEING GIVEN SIGNIFICANT STATE FUNDING
AT THE TIME WHEN WE ARE CUTTING ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS.
IF A PRIVATE GROUP CAME TO
THE STATE AND ASKED FOR FUNDING
TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE,
AND THE DOMINANT MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WERE
AVID SUPPORTERS OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT,
WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT THEY ARE GOING
TO PROVIDE UNBIASED EDUCATION?
TODAY.
AS MY FRIENDS HAVE MENTIONED,
THE COLLABORATIVE IS HOSTING THEIR SUMMER INSTITUTE
ON THEIR WEBSITE WHERE THEY ARE
RECRUITING TEACHERS TO ATTEND.
THEIR SPEAKERS THAT THEY FEATURE ARE ADL,
USC, SHOAH FOUNDATION,
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, LA, FACING HISTORY,
AND MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE.
THEY ARE ALL PRO-ISRAEL ANTI-PALESTINE
ORGANIZATIONS.
YOU DIDN'T HEAR A WORD IN THEIR WEBSITE ABOUT
EXPERTS FROM ALL THESE OTHER GENOCIDES.
CAN I ASK.
YOU TO WRAP UP, PLEASE?
SURE.
THIS BILL.
REALLY?
IT IS DONE BY PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OPPRESSION
OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.
AND WE ASK YOU TO VOTE NO, THANK.
YOU, THANK YOU.
WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
NAME, AFFILIATION AND POSITION
ON THE BILL, PLEASE.
JOSEPH FAROUK, POLICY COORDINATOR,
ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL ON
AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS.
WE ARE OPPOSED UNLESS AMENDED.
THANK YOU.
HI.
DAVID MANDEL, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 100,000
MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF JEWISH
VOICE FOR PEACE IN CALIFORNIA.
I'M A HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEY
LOCALLY HERE IN SACRAMENTO,
ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CALIFORNIA.
AND WE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
DANIEL STEINHART.
SACRAMENTO RESIDENT CALIFORNIA VOTER,
IN OPPOSITION TO.
THIS BILL.
FOR THE REASONS STATED.
ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS
IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
MR.
VICE CHAIR FLOOR.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
AND SENATOR, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
UM, OVER THE LAST REALLY SINCE THE BEGINNING
OF THE YEAR WHEN WE GOT BACK TO SACRAMENTO.
I KNOW YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE JEWISH
CAUCUS HAVE BEEN GRAPPLING WITH A LOT.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR
THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THIS,
BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS A VERY CHALLENGING
TIME FOR YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT YOU.
I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE
AND LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING IT.
THANK YOU, MISS BONTA.
I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FOR
BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD.
AND, UH, UH, AS A BAY AREA ASSEMBLY
MEMBER WHO ACTUALLY SPENT
TIME WORKING WITH JEWISH FAMILY
SERVICES 20 YEARS AGO,
AS WELL AS THE MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE
AND FACING HISTORY,
UH, THAT WERE REFERENCED IN THE OPPOSITION.
I KNOW THOSE, UH,
ORGANIZATIONS TO BE ONE FOCUSED ON.
ON TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE AND UN RECOGNITION.
UM, SO I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE
YOU BRINGING FORWARD THIS
MEASURE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE
GENOCIDE AND AND TO DO SO THAT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES,
UH, THE HOLOCAUST AND THE IMPACTS OF THAT.
IT'S A BALANCED, SIMPLE MEASURE THAT
ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH, UH,
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BEING ENGAGED WITH
BY THE STATE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO,
UM, TO SUPPORT THE AND ADVANCE
THE STATE'S THE STATE'S WORK.
IT'S BEEN DONE AD INFINITUM, UH, ON MANY ISSUES.
AND AND I KNOW THAT GIVEN THE HISTORY
OF THIS PARTICULAR ORGANIZATION, UH,
AND THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS IN
TERMS OF THE COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH THE STATE,
THAT WE CAN GET TO A POINT WHERE
WE ARE IN FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF ALL TYPES OF GENOCIDE AND REALLY
APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT.
WITH THAT AS.
WELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR,
AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
TO YOUR WITNESSES AS WELL,
FOR THEIR TESTIMONY AND EXPERTISE
AND DEDICATION TO CALIFORNIA STUDENTS.
AND OFTEN WHEN I MAKE COMMENTS,
I SAY THIS I WAS A TEACHER FOR
20 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM.
SOME OF MY WORK WAS WITH IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
AND DEVELOPING PROGRAMS FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
AND MUCH OF MY PASSION FOR THAT WORK CAME
FROM BEING A DESCENDANT OF JEWISH PEOPLE.
I'M IN THE JEWISH CAUCUS WITH YOU
AND APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE.
AND, UM, AND IT'S ALWAYS STUNNING
TO ME WHEN I HEAR THE FIGURES
OF HOW FEW PEOPLE EITHER BELIEVE
THE HOLOCAUST HAPPENED OR,
UM, OR, OR HAVE ANY SENSE OF WHAT HAPPENED
DURING THE JEWISH HOLOCAUST.
AND I'LL JUST SAY THESE FIGURES IN CASE
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY SAID THEM,
BUT I WAS LOOKING AT A 2020 SURVEY THAT
SAID 63% OF US MILLENNIALS AND GEN
ZERS DID NOT KNOW THAT 6 MILLION JEWS
WERE KILLED DURING THE HOLOCAUST.
23% SAID THEY BELIEVE THE HOLOCAUST
WAS A MYTH OR EXAGGERATED.
12% SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE HOLOCAUST,
WHICH IS JUST ASTOUNDING.
SO I WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU
FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK, UM, PARTICULARLY IN THESE TIMES,
IT'S A DIFFICULT SUBJECT TO TALK ABOUT.
AND A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T WANT TO ADMIT
HOW IMPORTANT THIS CONVERSATION IS.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES
HERE FOR THEIR COMMENTS AND SUPPORT
AND SUPPORT OF SOMETHING THAT IS
A JEWISH CAUCUS PRIORITY BILL.
I THINK IT'S REALLY A TESTAMENT TO THIS COMMITTEE.
AND WITH THAT, OF COURSE, I SUPPORT THE BILL.
THANK YOU.
SARAH STERN, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, HOW WAS THE, UH,
THE THE MEMBERSHIP OR THE MAKEUP
OF THE COLLABORATIVE,
UH, DETERMINED.
UM, I MIGHT DEFER TO, UH, TO JFK'S HERE JUST
TO COMMENT ON IT, BUT I KNOW IT'S A.
THERE'S.
HOW MANY 14 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS
I THINK INVOLVED,
INCLUDING REDBUD RESOURCE ORGANIZATION, RED BUS.
RED REDBUD RESOURCE GROUP TEACHES
INDIGENOUS HISTORY,
THE TWIG PROJECT,
WHICH TEACHES ON GENOCIDES IN RWANDA AND GUATEMALA,
THE UYGHUR GENOCIDE ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER.
AND MAYBE, JEFF, I CAN TURN OVER TO HIM.
JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GOVERNANCE.
YEAH.
WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OF REVIEWERS THAT EACH
TIME THERE WAS A ROUND OF FUNDING FROM THE STATE
AND SOME GRANTS WERE GRANTED OUT TO THESE VARIOUS
GENOCIDE INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.
THEY WERE.
THOSE GRANT APPLICATIONS WERE REVIEWED
BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL.
THE PANEL IS MADE UP OF TEACHERS,
ACTIVE K-12 TEACHERS,
AND ALSO SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS ON GENOCIDE.
THANK YOU.
AND AND AS UH, SENATOR STERN INDICATED, UH,
THERE IS REPRESENTATION WITHIN THE COLLABORATIVE,
UH, NOT ONLY FOR, UH,
THOSE FROM THOSE THAT ARE FOCUSED ON,
ON THE HOLOCAUST, BUT ALSO FROM, UH, FOR,
UH, GENOCIDES, EITHER IN THE OR, UH,
IN ARMENIA OR IN CAMBODIA OR,
OR THE UYGHURS OR OTHER OTHER COMMUNITIES.
IS THAT CORRECT?
THAT'S CORRECT.
AND IF I COULD JUST ADD A QUICK POINT ON THAT.
SO, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.
UM.
MR.
CHAIR, THE THE 14 INSTITUTIONS THAT
MAKE UP THE COLLABORATIVE INCLUDE
INSTITUTIONS THAT COVER THE INDIGENOUS
AMERICAN GENOCIDE,
THE CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE, RWANDAN GENOCIDE,
THE GUATEMALAN GENOCIDE,
THE BOSNIAN GENOCIDE AND
THE GENOCIDE OF UIGHUR PEOPLES.
AND I JUST WANT TO ADD,
IN RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE COMMENTS
THAT WAS MADE EARLIER BY THE OPPOSITION WITNESS,
I DON'T THINK THAT THEY LOOKED AT OUR SCHEDULE
FOR THE SUMMER INSTITUTE WHEN
THEY SAID IT WAS THE WHOLE LINEUP
WAS TEACHING ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.
I'M GOING TO READ FOR YOU THE AGENDA
RIGHT NOW AND SOME OF THE SESSIONS.
SO THE UYGHUR GENOCIDE AND UNDERREPORTED,
UNDERREPORTED HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS, UM,
UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX GENOCIDE
IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA,
UM, THE ROLE BLAH, BLAH BLAH.
LET ME SEE.
UM.
EXCUSE ME.
I'M GOING FORWARD.
COMMUNIST GENOCIDE TESTIMONY FROM CAMBODIA
MUCH MORE THAN LIVES LOST,
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND THE RISK
OF CULTURAL EXTINCTION,
AND TEACHING THE HUMAN STORY.
THE GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI IN RWANDA.
AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS, ACTUALLY.
BUT I'LL SPARE YOU THE TIME.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
UM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?
AND THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT WE REQUESTED A COPY OF
THE MATERIALS AND TO DATE IT HAS NOT BEEN SUPPLIED.
DID YOU JUST SAY THAT IT WAS AVAILABLE
ON THE INTERNET ON THE WEBSITE?
THIS, UH, AGENDA.
I JUST READ OFF.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S POSTED ON OUR SITE YET.
I'M NOT 100% SURE.
UH, THAT IS NOT.
AND IN REGARDS TO THE WAY THAT THE COLLABORATIVE'S
GOVERNING STRUCTURE IS APPLIED,
HAVING THE REQUIREMENT TO APPLY TO THE COLLABORATIVE
WOULD REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF
GROUPS FACING ONGOING GENOCIDES TO GO OUT OF THEIR
WAY TO HAVE THEIR STORIES AND HISTORIES HEARD.
A BETTER GOVERNING SYSTEM WOULD BE TO
PROACTIVELY SEEK OUT, UH, MEMBERS.
AND SO THE GOVERNING SYSTEM OF THIS COLLABORATIVE
IMPLIES THAT IT WILL PLACE
AN ADDED BURDEN TO MEMBERS EXPERIENCING
AN ACTIVE GENOCIDE, AND THAT IF, UH,
INDIVIDUALS FROM GROUPS WHO HAVE BEEN TARGETED ARE
NOT ORGANIZED ENOUGH TO GET A GRANT TOGETHER,
THEY WILL NOT BE ADDED TO THIS COLLABORATIVE,
MAKING THE GOVERNING STRUCTURE INHERENTLY BIASED.
ALL RIGHT.
WHAT I AND I ABLE TO MAKE A COMMENT TO THAT OR.
SURE.
YEAH.
I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE WE WE ACTUALLY DO
THE ONE OF THE BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE IS TO ACTIVELY
SEEK OUT NEW GENOCIDE INSTITUTIONS,
TO INCLUDE GENOCIDES WHERE THERE
ARE GAPS IN WHAT WE'RE TEACHING.
I'LL JUST GIVE TWO VERY QUICK EXAMPLES,
BECAUSE WE WERE INSTRUMENTAL
IN HELPING BUILD UP SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
ONE IS THE TEACHERS COLLABORATIVE IDENTIFIED
A CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE SURVIVOR
AND A CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE SCHOLAR WHO
WEREN'T IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.
PUT THEM TOGETHER AND HELP THEM
CREATE A 500 AND 1C3 TO
EDUCATE AND TRAIN TEACHERS ON THE CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE
THAT DIDN'T EXIST AND WOULDN'T
HAVE HAD IT NOT BEEN
FOR THE PROACTIVE WORK OF THE COLLABORATIVE.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THERE WAS AN INDIGENOUS, UM,
TEACHER TRAINING ORGANIZATION
WHO WAS FOCUSED ALL THEIR
TEACHER TRAINING ON INDIGENOUS NATIVE CULTURE,
BUT WAS NOT TEACHING ABOUT
THE GENOCIDE OF NATIVE AMERICANS.
WE GOT INTO WE IDENTIFIED THAT GROUP,
GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEM,
HELPED THEM BUILD UP CURRICULA FOR TEACHERS TO TRAIN
SPECIFICALLY ON THE GENOCIDE OF NATIVE AMERICANS.
AND THEY'RE ALSO NOW A PART OF THE COLLABORATIVE
AND HAVE DISTRIBUTED THAT TRAINING ACROSS THE STATE.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
IN THE INTEREST OF TIME,
I THINK I'M GOING TO TRY TO, UH, WRAP THIS UP.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE
THE OPPOSITION'S COMMENTS.
UH, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY A,
A A VERY REAL AND VERY IMPORTANT UH,
UH, DEBATE ABOUT,
UH, UH, WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA,
WHETHER THAT CONSTITUTES A GENOCIDE OR NOT.
UH, BUT I, I, UH, YOU KNOW, I MOVED PRIMARILY,
BUT BY THE STATISTIC THAT MISS
ADDIS SHARED THAT 60%,
63% OF MILLENNIALS AND GEN XERS DID NOT EVEN KNOW
OF THE HOLOCAUST OR KNOW THAT THE HOLOCAUST,
UH, RESULTED IN THE IN THE DEATHS
OF 6 MILLION JEWS AND, UH,
AND AND FOR ME, THAT THAT HIGHLIGHTS
THE ABSOLUTE NEED, UH,
YOU KNOW, FOR THIS INITIATIVE TO,
TO MOVE FORWARD, UM,
NOT ONLY TO TEACH ALL OF OUR CALIFORNIA STUDENTS
ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST, BUT ABOUT,
UH, THESE OTHER, UH, HOLOCAUST, LIKE,
UH, THESE OTHER GENOCIDES.
I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE AND THANK YOU, SENATOR STERN,
FOR TAKING THE AMENDMENT, UH,
THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT TO,
UH, TO ADD INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THE LIST OF GENOCIDE SPECIFIED.
UM, AND SO THAT CLEARLY LEAVES AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR THIS DEBATE TO BE ONGOING.
UM, SENATOR STERN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO, UH, CLOSE?
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
UM, I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS
AND PLEAD WITH YOU ALL, UM,
ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE
NOT IN THE JEWISH CAUCUS,
UM, WHO MAY NOT HAVE A HISTORY IN THIS,
THIS WORLD AROUND HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION.
PLEASE SIGN ON.
UM, WE WOULD WE WANT THIS TO BE, UH, BIGGER THAN.
YES, AS IT WAS PUT.
HOLOCAUST, HOLOCAUST, HOLOCAUST.
I'M REALLY TRYING TO.
JUST RESTRAIN MYSELF FOR THE PAIN.
UM.
THAT IT TRIGGERS IN ME, UM,
TO HEAR THESE WORDS USED SO
LOUDLY AND PROVOCATIVELY.
UM, IT IS HARD TO GET THROUGH.
UM, BUT IF IT'S HARD FOR ME,
CAN YOU IMAGINE IF YOU'RE AN 11TH
GRADE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM
AND THE PRESSURE YOU FEEL?
UM.
JUST BECAUSE THERE IS AN AWFUL WAR
GOING ON DOES NOT MEAN WE CAN BURY
OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND LET HISTORY
DIE AS A DISTANT MEMORY.
UM, STUDENTS DON'T ONLY KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM,
BUT WHAT THE HISTORY OF ALL THE OTHER
PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS COUNTRY IS.
AND, UM, THAT IGNORANCE IS
THE HOTBED FOR HATE GOING FORWARD.
SO I REALLY DO APPRECIATE, CHAIR, YOUR SUPPORT,
THE COMMITTEE'S THOUGHTFUL AMENDMENTS
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY INCLUSIVE.
I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT.
I HATE THAT THE LIST MAY GROW.
IN OUR LIFETIMES, BUT HOPEFULLY
WITH THIS COLLABORATIVE
WE CAN PUT IT INTO THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL.
I'D RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SECRETARY.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
FILE ITEM 15, SB 1277.
THE MOTION IS TO PASS, AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI.
AYE.
MAYOR SUU KYI I.
FLORA.
FLORA I ADDIS.
ADDIS I ALVAREZ.
BONTA I BONTA I.
HOOVER.
MCCARTY.
OR ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
MR.
LAST BILL.
OKAY.
SENATOR, WOULD YOU MIND ADDING
ME A CO-AUTHOR TO THAT BILL?
THANK YOU.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SENATE AUTHORS
TO PRESENT THEIR BILLS.
OH, OKAY.
THAT'S RIGHT.
YOU HAVE ONE MORE BILL.
UH, FILE NUMBER 16, UH, SENATE BILL 1283.
AND THERE HE.
IS.
OKAY.
UM.
THANK YOU.
MEMBERS.
UH, WE'LL SWITCH MODES, BUT, UM.
THIS IDEA OF IGNORANCE AND DISINFORMATION
IS STILL, UH,
PRESENT IN THE MOTIVATION FOR THIS BILL AS WELL.
UM.
SB 1283 WOULD EXPLICITLY GRANT
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUR LEAS,
THE AUTHORITY TO LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE USE OF
SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES.
UM, WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY DISTRACTIONS
IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND THAT ARE.
MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TEACH IN THIS STATE.
UM, AND VERY HARD TO LEARN.
I DO APPRECIATE THIS CHAIR'S LEADERSHIP
AND THIS COMMITTEE'S LEADERSHIP ON THAT FRONT.
UM, ON DEALING WITH DEVICES LIKE
THESE SITTING IN YOUR POCKET
ALL DAY AND WHAT THEY DO TO YOUR
ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE,
TO EMPATHIZE, TO LEARN BASIC SOCIAL SKILLS.
UM, AND WE THINK THAT THIS,
THIS BILL BUILDS ON CHAIR YOUR
LEADERSHIP IN THE SMARTPHONE ARENA TO REALLY MAKE
CLEAR THAT SOCIAL MEDIA ALSO
OUGHT TO HAVE POLICIES IN
OUR LEAS AROUND THE STATE, UM, AND USING TOOLS TO,
TO PROHIBIT, TO LIMIT OR IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT
SO CHOOSES NOT TO UM, THE BILL IS, UH,
DEFERENTIAL TO THAT LOCAL CONTROL A SCHOOL,
A SCHOOL BOARD COULD DECIDE NOT TO TAKE
US UP ON OUR OFFER IN SB 1283.
UM, I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN
SOME AMENDMENTS PROPOSED, UM,
IN THIS COMMITTEE, WHICH ARE ON
PAGE SEVEN OF YOUR ANALYSIS.
AND, AND THEN THERE ARE ALSO FURTHER
AMENDMENTS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE,
UH, COMMITTEE OF, OF, OF SECOND REFERRAL
HERE AND ASSEMBLY PRIVACY.
UM, AND I DO WANT TO SPECIFY THAT
I'M GOING TO ACCEPT THOSE TODAY.
UH, BUT I ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT,
UM, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, IF, IF THE WAY WE, WE REFERRED TO
THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT,
WHICH IS REALLY THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT WE TOOK ON
THE SENATE FLOOR TO MAKE SURE THAT IF IF A BILL,
IF A SCHOOL DECIDED TO BAN SOCIAL
MEDIA OR TO LIMIT ITS USE,
UM, THAT THAT WOULDN'T GIVE THEM, SAY,
CARTE BLANCHE TO GO SEARCH EVERY STUDENT'S
PHONE OR TO SURVEIL THEIR STUDENTS,
UM, THAT THEY HAVE RIGHTS.
UM, AND THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
PRIVACY ACT, UNDER CURRENT LAW,
AS THE ANALYSIS POINTS OUT, PROVIDES THOSE RIGHTS.
UM, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM,
WE KNOW WE KNOW THAT THERE'S
GOING TO BE CONCERNS WITH,
UH, OUR PARTICULAR CROSS-REFERENCE
BEING STRIPPED OUT.
BUT I APPRECIATE, UM, OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH
THE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE NEXT CHAIR,
THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT ISSUE RESOLVED.
UM, AND THAT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES
TO STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS,
BUT BUT ALSO ON ISSUES OF, SAY,
SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED
IN OUTING STUDENTS,
UM, OR USING A BILL LIKE THIS TO SAY,
WE'RE GOING TO GO SEARCH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCOUNTS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE
POSTING ONLINE FOR PURPOSES OF FINDING
OUT WHAT YOUR GENDER IDENTITY MAY BE.
UH.
THIS IS NOT THE POINT OF THIS BILL,
BUT WE THINK THAT THAT KIND OF
CLARIFICATION WILL BE HELPFUL.
SO IN OUR CURRENT CONVERSATIONS,
WE'RE ENCOURAGED BY BOTH THE CHAIR'S AMENDMENTS,
WHICH WILL ACCEPT AS WELL AS OUR CONVERSATIONS
THUS FAR WITH THE ASSEMBLY PRIVACY COMMITTEE.
AND WE'VE BEEN ALSO WORKING WITH
THE LGBTQ CAUCUS ON THAT FRONT AS WELL.
UM, I'LL WRAP UP JUST WITH
THE SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING,
UM, WHICH YOU ALL MAY HAVE SEEN THE MOST RECENT ONE,
BUT THE BASIC STAT IS THOSE WHO ARE
SPENDING MORE THAN THOSE STUDENTS,
WHO ARE CHILDREN, WHO ARE SPENDING MORE
THAN THREE HOURS A DAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
FACE TWICE THE RISK OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS,
INCLUDING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.
UM, AND THAT THAT ADDICTION THAT IS PERVADING
YOUNG PEOPLE IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.
UM, WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE VERY WELL MAY BE AND SOME
PEOPLE PICK THEIR PLATFORM AND I RESPECT THAT.
BUT OUR SCHOOLS NEED TO BE A DIFFERENT
KIND OF ENVIRONMENT.
UM, ONE WHERE KIDS AREN'T LOOKING
AT WHO TO TAKE A VIDEO
OF AND PUT ON A FIGHT PAGE ON THEIR SNAPCHAT,
UM, WHERE THEY'RE NOT LOOKING
TO BODY SHAME A CLASSMATE.
UM, FOR, YOU KNOW, WHEN,
WHEN THEY'RE IN THE RESTROOM.
UM, THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT
THIS BLACK HOLE OF SOCIAL
MEDIA IS ALLOWING TO INVADE OUR SCHOOLS IS TOXIC.
IT'S DANGEROUS.
AND I WANT TO SAY,
IN ADDITION TO MY LEAD WITNESSES HERE,
I DO APPRECIATE THAT THE TECH INDUSTRY
IS SUPPORTING THIS BILL, TOO.
UM, BECAUSE IT'S TIME THAT THEY
STEP UP AND DO THEIR PART.
UM, SO WE APPRECIATE OUR WORK
WITH BOTH THE SCHOOL BOARDS,
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, THE TEACHERS,
BUT ALSO HAVING TECH HERE TO SAY WE REALLY
SHOULDN'T BE IN YOUR SCHOOLS WITH THIS,
THIS, UM, WITH THIS KIND OF, THESE KIND OF APPS.
UM, SO WITH THAT, HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.
RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR I VOTE.
I DID WANT TO OFFER OUR LEAD WITNESSES HERE.
UH, MARK BERKMAN WITH THE ORGANIZATION
FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY,
AS WELL AS PATRICIA RUCKER WITH CALIFORNIA
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
PLEASE PROCEED.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS MARK BERKMAN.
I'M THE CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY,
THE FIRST AND LEADING CONSUMER
PROTECTION ORGANIZATION
FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
I WANT TO THANK SENATOR STERN FOR AUTHORING SB 1283,
WHICH WILL ENSURE THE PHYSICAL
AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA
STUDENTS BY FINALLY ENABLING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LIMIT
STUDENT SOCIAL MEDIA USE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
IF THE.
DISTRICT SO CHOOSES.
WE ARE PROUD TO SPONSOR THIS BILL.
THIS LEGISLATION IS INCREDIBLY TIMELY.
AS SENATOR STERN JUST MENTIONED THE OTHER WEEK,
THE SURGEON GENERAL CALLED FOR WARNING
LABELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS,
ADVISING PARENTS THAT USING THE PLATFORMS
MIGHT HARM ADOLESCENTS MENTAL HEALTH.
AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH K THROUGH
12 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY KNOWS
WELL THAT STUDENT SOCIAL MEDIA USE DURING
THE SCHOOL DAY IS LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT
ADDITIONAL TIME SPENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTING LEARNING
AND CAMPUS CLIMATE.
IN OUR OWN RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIP WITH UCLA
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING OVER 14,000
TEENS, A STAGGERING 53% SELF-REPORTED USING SOCIAL
MEDIA FOR MORE THAN FIVE HOURS DAILY.
THAT IS A LOT OF TIME, AND IN THAT TIME,
OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING HARMED.
A BREATHTAKING 46% OF TEENS SELF-REPORT
BEING A VICTIM OF CYBER BULLYING.
CYBER BULLYING VICTIMS ARE ABOUT TWO AND
A HALF TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE.
A STUDY CONDUCTED AMONG 14 YEAR
OLDS FOUND THAT INCREASED
SOCIAL MEDIA USE CORRELATED
WITH POOR SLEEP HARASSMENT,
LOWER SELF-ESTEEM, NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE,
AND HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION.
THESE FINDINGS, AMONG MANY,
MANY OTHERS, INDICATE REAL,
ONGOING HARM FROM SOCIAL MEDIA HARM
THAT COULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY
MITIGATED BY REDUCING TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING
THE SCHOOL DAY AND HAVING OUR
STUDENTS FOCUS ON LEARNING.
WE ARE PROUD CALIFORNIA IS LEADING THE WAY.
THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY
STANDS IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
MHM.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS PATRICIA RUCKER WITH
THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
UM, FOR ME AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER AND PRACTICALLY
AS A PERSON WHO'S LOOKED AT THIS
POLICY AND ISSUES RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY
IN THE SCHOOLS AND IN OUR CLASSROOM,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
WE'RE AT A MOMENT IN TIME WHERE WE
ACTUALLY ARE OPERATING WITH MORE MONEY THAN SENSE.
SOMETIMES SOCIAL MEDIA IS A VERY GOOD THING.
THERE ARE PLUSES AND MINUSES TO
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN CLASSROOMS,
THE PLUSES AND MINUSES OF STUDENTS
BEING ENGAGED IN A COMMUNITY
THAT REACHES BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR,
OF WHERE THEY LIVE,
AND EVEN THE STATES WHERE THEY LIVE.
BUT THERE ARE ALSO PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
CTA HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND ENGAGED
WITH THIS COMMITTEE
FOR YEARS ON THE ISSUES OF TECHNOLOGY.
WE SUPPORTED AB 272 BY YOU, MR.
MAYOR TSUCHI, WHICH HAD BEEN UTILIZED BY MANY
OF OUR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS TO ACROSS
THE STATE TO CREATE SAFER AND STANDARDIZED POLICIES
ABOUT THE USE OF SMARTPHONES ON CAMPUS.
THIS BILL IS SIMPLY EXPANDING
THE AUTHORITY OF LEAS TO REGULATE
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY STUDENTS
WHILE THEY'RE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS,
OR UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL.
I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT THE STATISTICS
AND THE STUDIES THAT MY COLLEAGUE
HAS ALREADY QUOTED TO YOU ABOUT
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA,
BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE
HEALTH IMPACTS FOR STUDENTS,
THERE IS AN IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN
STUDENTS ARE USING THEIR PHONES
AND ARE SITTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATING
WITH THEIR FRIENDS,
THERE'S A DELETERIOUS IMPACT ON THEIR LEARNING,
A DELETERIOUS IMPACT ON THE INTERFERENCE
WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM.
BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE HARMFUL
BEHAVIORS THAT HAPPEN AT SCHOOL THAT
MAY START AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL,
BUT THAT CONTINUE ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.
SO IN THE CASE OF THIS BILL,
A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO LIMIT AND PROVIDE
POLICIES AND SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS TO
HAVE A POLICY ABOUT HOW AND WHEN
AND AND THE MANNER IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN
REGULARLY AND ROUTINELY USE THEIR
CELL PHONES AND HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA,
JUST SIMPLY MAKES SENSE.
AS A TEACHER WHO HAS WORKED IN CLASSROOMS BACK
IN THE 20TH CENTURY WHEN WE BARELY HAD TVS,
AND I PERSONALLY WORKED ON A CAMPUS
THAT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A LIBRARY,
THIS IS A POLICY THAT NOT ONLY
IS TIMELY AND IMPORTANT,
BUT FOR EVERY SINGLE CALIFORNIA TEACHER,
MAKES SENSE FOR THE NEEDS THEY HAVE TO
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSTRUCTION
PROVIDED IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY,
TO ENSURE THAT THE STUDENTS WHO
SIT IN THEIR ROOMS FEEL SAFE,
FEEL ABLE AND READY TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR
INSTRUCTION AND IN THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM.
THESE POLICIES IN THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE THAT
MUCH NEEDED CLARITY AND WILL GIVE LEAS
A GUIDANCE IN LISTENING TO AND ADDRESSING
A VERY IMPORTANT AND WIDESPREAD IMPACT,
NOT ONLY IN THEIR SCHOOL CAMPUSES,
BUT THAT CAN IN MANY WAYS SPREAD
OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AND CTA URGES YOU TO SUPPORT THIS BILL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WITNESSES IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ALL RIGHT.
NOW, WITNESSES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
IT'S NOT WORKING.
KATHLEEN FAY FOR CALIFORNIA STATE PTA.
IN FAVOR?
THANK YOU.
LIZZIE KUTSUNA HERE ON BEHALF OF TECNA AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
PAMELA GIBBS WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.
LUCA GRECO PARENT AND SUPPORT.
MITCH STEIGER WITH CFT.
ALSO IN SPORT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CARLOS MACHADO WITH CALIFORNIA.
SCHOOL BOARDS AND.
SUPPORT.
ANY WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL,
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HELLO CHAIR AND MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS RACHEL BALDWIN AND I'M A LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCATE AT ACLU CALIFORNIA ACTION.
THE ACLU IS.
DISAPPOINTED TO BE.
OPPOSING SB 1283 TODAY.
WE REMOVED OUR OPPOSITION A MONTH.
AGO AFTER WORKING CLOSELY WITH SENATOR STERN ON.
MAY.
20TH AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS.
THAT THE AUTHOR.
HAS ACCEPTED DO.
REMOVE THE MAY.
20TH LANGUAGE.
AND ESSENTIALLY.
REVERT THE BILL TO ITS INITIAL FORM.
AND WHILE.
WE'RE AWARE OF.
AND INVOLVED.
IN ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NEXT COMMITTEE AND.
THIS AND WITH THE.
AUTHOR'S OFFICE.
WE DO HAVE TO RESPOND TO THE BILL.
AS IT WILL BE IN PRINT.
LEAVING THIS COMMITTEE AND.
WANTED TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES, A COUPLE OF.
MINUTES, UM, TO.
JUST LIFT.
UP THE THE CONCERNS AND.
THE RISKS OF REMOVING PRIVACY PROTECTIONS OUT.
OF THIS BILL.
IN 2015.
GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNED INTO LAW THE CALIFORNIA.
ELECTRONIC.
COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY.
ACT, OR.
CAL ECPA, WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED
THE NATION'S BEST PRIVACY LAW.
UNDER CAL ACPA, NO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ENTITY
CAN SEARCH OUR PHONES OR OUR ONLINE
ACCOUNTS WITHOUT GOING TO A JUDGE GETTING
OUR CONSENT OR SHOWING IT'S AN EMERGENCY.
GOVERNMENT ENTITY HAS BEEN WELL UNDERSTOOD
TO UNDERSTAND TO INCLUDE LEAS AND PUBLIC.
SCHOOLS AND.
MINORS ARE ALSO COVERED UNDER THIS LAW.
DISTRICTS.
LIMITING OR PROHIBITING STUDENT SOCIAL MEDIA USE IS
DIFFERENT THAN REGULATING THE USE OF A SMARTPHONE,
WHICH CURRENT LAW ALREADY ALLOWS.
THAT'S BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOUGH TO KNOW SOMETIMES
WHAT A STUDENT IS DOING ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
UNLESS YOU LOOKED OVER THEIR SHOULDER OR
SEARCHED THROUGH THEIR PHONE OR DEVICE.
THIS WOULD BE A PROBLEM.
FOR MANY REASONS.
WITHOUT PRIVACY PROTECTIONS,
FORCING A STUDENT TO HAND OVER OR UNLOCK THEIR
PHONE FOR A SEARCH WITHOUT THEIR WILLING
CONSENT IS A VIOLATION OF ACPA.
UNLESS THE EDUCATOR HAS A WARRANT AND THEREFORE
SB 1283 HAS INTRODUCED, AND AFTER.
THESE COMMITTEE'S AMENDMENTS WOULD
BRING SIGNIFICANT RISK TO SCHOOLS.
BY ENCOURAGING TEACHERS TO BREAK PRIVACY
LAWS THEY MAY NOT BE AWARE OF.
WE SHOULD ALSO THINK THROUGH WHAT SCHOOLS MIGHT
SEE AND WHAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO WITH IT.
WHAT ABOUT A STUDENT'S USE OF LGBTQ RESOURCES
LEADING TO A FORCED OUTING,
PRIVATE PHOTOS OF A MINOR AND OTHERS
FISHING EXPEDITIONS ABOUT A BLACK OR
BROWN KID THAT SOMEONE'S LOOKING FOR
AN EXCUSE TO PUSH OUT OF SCHOOL.
THAT'S WHY WE WORKED WITH SENATOR STERN,
WHO'S BEEN VERY COLLABORATIVE
ON THE MAY 20TH AMENDMENTS,
WHICH ENSURED THAT EDUCATORS
KNEW THE LAW AND STUDENTS
KNEW THEIR RIGHTS TO CONSULT A PARENT
AND ONLY VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO A DEVICE
SEARCH WITH THOSE PROTECTIONS REMOVED.
WE SHOULD ALL BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BILL.
WE'VE OFFERED FURTHER PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS IN OUR OPPOSITION
LETTER AND TO THE SENATOR AND COMMITTEE CONSULTANTS,
AND WE URGE THE SENATOR TO ONLY MOVE
THIS BILL FURTHER IF PROTECTIVE
GUARDRAILS FOR STUDENTS
AND EDUCATORS ARE REINTRODUCED.
THANK YOU.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
MISS MARTIN.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS BILL, SENATOR.
AND I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF CLARIFY
THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS
REMOVED BY THE EDX COMMITTEE
THAT CAUSED THE ACLU TO.
MOVE BACK TO AN OPPOSED POSITION.
AND SO I'LL JUST ASK THAT QUESTION
AND SEE IF IT'S WHAT I THINK IT IS.
YOU WANT ME TO?
I'LL START, MAYBE, AND THEN TURN IT OVER.
UM.
HIGH LEVEL THREE.
THREE AMENDMENTS.
THEY MOVE.
WE'VE MOVED INTO A NEW SECTION OF THE CODE.
I THINK ACLU HAS AN ISSUE WITH THAT.
AND THERE WAS AN UNDEFINED TERM
IN THERE ON EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES WHICH WAS STRUCK, WHICH WASN'T THE ISSUE.
THE IT IT HAD TO DO WITH A,
A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE THAT WE
SPELLED OUT IN GREAT DETAIL.
UM, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRIOR VERSION,
INCLUDING VERBIAGE,
THAT WOULD BE IN THE DISCLOSURE AROUND
PUPILS RIGHTS UNDER ECPA.
UM, SO IT WAS, I WOULD SAY, VERY, VERY THOROUGH AND,
AND REALLY PRESCRIBED WHAT THAT WRITTEN
DISCLOSURE NEEDED TO BE FROM,
UH, FROM A SCHOOL TO ADVISE STUDENTS OF THEIR,
OF THEIR RIGHTS.
UM, TO THE, TO MISS BAGWELL'S POINT.
UM, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS CAN'T JUST HAVE THEIR,
THEIR PHONES SEARCHED OR BE FORCED
TO GIVE OVER THEIR PASSWORDS
BY THE SCHOOL OR BE SURVEILLED BY THE SCHOOLS.
UM, WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
UM, AS THE ANALYSIS POINTS OUT,
IT DOES CURRENTLY APPLY.
APPLY.
SO IT WASN'T A MATTER OF MAKING
ECPA APPLY TO TO TO STUDENTS
RIGHTS BECAUSE THE UNDERLYING LAW, WE BELIEVE,
DOES APPLY TO ANY SUBDIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT,
WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IT.
AND I CAN ALLOW THE OPPOSITION TO CLARIFY FURTHER,
BUT THE ISSUE WAS THAT THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT
OF DETAIL SPECIFIED ABOUT WHAT THAT WRITTEN
DISCLOSURE LOOKED LIKE FOR THAT STUDENT.
UM, AND THE WRITTEN FORM, IT OUGHT TO BE.
AND SO THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS STRUCK THAT,
BUT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE
WOULD STILL BE A REFERENCE
TO ECPA MAYBE NOT IN THAT SORT OF LEVEL OF DETAIL,
WHERE WE'RE SPELLING OUT A TEN
LINE WRITTEN DISCLOSURE
OF EXACTLY WHAT'S SAID, AND I'M NOT SURE,
MAYBE SOMETHING A LITTLE SIMPLER,
OR SIMPLY THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO,
TO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH.
UM, BUT THAT THAT WAS SORT OF THE, THE, THE ISSUE.
AND I THINK DUE TO SOME TIMING PURPOSES,
WE DIDN'T GET THAT SORT OF THE NEW CROSS REFERENCE
IRONED OUT HERE IN COMMITTEE TODAY.
UM, BUT I CAN ALLOW OPPOSITION TO COMMENT,
AND I'M HAPPY TO DEFER TO THE CHAIR AS WELL.
THANK YOU, SENATOR, AND THANK YOU,
ASSEMBLYMEMBER BONTA.
UM, YEAH.
SO, UM, THE SENATOR IS CORRECT ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE
OF THE THE THREE DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS.
I'LL JUST ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE COLOR THAT,
AS A SENATOR SAID,
THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE WORKED WITH THE AUTHOR'S
OFFICE ON INTRODUCING INTO THIS BILL,
THEY DID NOT CHANGE IN ANY WAY.
THEY WERE, UM,
ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT IN THE CONTEXT
OF A CLASSROOM SETTING OR A SCHOOL SETTING, UM,
WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK
THAT A MINER OR AN EDUCATOR
MAY BE FULLY AWARE OF CALIFORNIA'S PRIVACY LAWS.
IN FACT, IN ACLU'S WORK IN SCHOOLS
AND AND IN PRIVACY,
KIND OF THROUGHOUT THE STATE,
WE OFTEN SEE THAT SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS ARE
NOT AWARE OF CALIFORNIA'S PRIVACY LAWS,
NOR WOULD A MINER ALWAYS BE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS.
IF A TEACHER SAID, HEY,
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT ON TIKTOK?
SHOW ME YOUR PHONE.
UNLOCK IT FOR ME, RIGHT?
YOU KNOW, IF THAT WAS SAID,
I'M NOT SURE THAT, YOU KNOW,
YOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WOULD KNOW THAT ACTUALLY,
THEY THEY DO NEED TO VOLUNTARILY CONSENT.
THEY CAN THEY CAN CONSULT A PARENT.
THEY CAN CONSULT AN ATTORNEY.
THOSE ARE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW,
EVEN AS A MINOR.
AND SO THE LANGUAGE WE WORKED WITH THE SENATOR'S
OFFICE ON DID REQUIRE A DISCLOSURE,
A SPECIFIC WRITTEN DISCLOSURE
TO THE MINOR SPECIFYING
THESE ARE YOUR RIGHTS UNDER COLLECT.
BUT THERE WAS SOME FLEXIBILITY
ON WHAT THAT COULD LOOK LIKE.
BUT, UM, THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
DID FULLY REMOVE THAT,
UM, THAT PROVISION OF RIGHTS, UM, FROM THE BILL.
UM, IT'S CONCERNING TO US BOTH BECAUSE WE WANT
TO MAKE SURE MINORS KNOW THEIR RIGHTS,
BUT ALSO BECAUSE BY PROVIDING THOSE RIGHTS,
WE'RE ALSO ENSURING THE SCHOOL KNOWS THEM.
RIGHT?
BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES PROVIDING
THEM AND THE EDUCATOR KNOWS THEM.
AND SO WHILE WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A, YOU KNOW,
AN UNDERSTANDING FROM THIS COMMITTEE AND OTHERS OF
WHAT CALLICARPA IS AND ITS APPLICATION TO SCHOOLS,
WE HAVEN'T SEEN A VERSION OF AMENDMENTS FROM
THE LEGISLATURE YET THAT IS REALLY CENTERED
AROUND MINOR CONSENT AND AFFIRMING AND ENSURING
THAT WE'RE PROTECTING OUR MINORS RIGHT?
TO CONSENT TO, YOU KNOW,
MINORS RIGHT TO PRIVACY, FRANKLY.
AND SO WE'RE GOING TO REMAIN
VERY CONCERNED UNTIL WE SEE
SOMETHING CONCRETE THAT ASSUAGES THAT THAT ISSUE.
LET ME LET ME JUST ADD, UH, FROM THE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE'S PERSPECTIVE, I MEAN.
UH, CERTAINLY.
UM, ABSOLUTELY WANT TO ENSURE THAT, UH,
STUDENTS PRIVACY RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.
THE THE MAIN CONCERN, UM,
THAT THAT WE HAD WAS THAT IN NO OTHER AREAS OF.
OF, UH, EDUCATION POLICY.
DO WE ALLOW MINORS TO WAIVE, UH, ANY RIGHTS?
AND SO.
WE WANTED TO.
UH, ONE DEFER TO THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE TO, YOU KNOW,
BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE EXPERTISE ON THE ON
THE PRIVACY ISSUES THAN THAN THIS COMMITTEE.
BUT BUT THE FROM THE EDUCATION POLICY PERSPECTIVE,
IT WAS ADDRESSING THE CONCERN,
NOT NOT CREATING A PRECEDENT FOR
A MINOR TO BE ABLE TO WAIVE,
UH, THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS.
AND THAT'S, THAT WAS THE, THE PRIMARY CONCERN THAT,
THAT THIS COMMITTEE RAISED.
IT TO.
TO ME, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE THE ISSUE IS KIND
OF IT'S MORE THAN SEMANTICS BETWEEN
KIND OF A WAIVER OF A RIGHT VERSUS
A RECOGNITION OF A VOLUNTARY CONSENT.
UM, AND I'M ALWAYS KIND OF CONCERNED WITH POLICIES,
UH, HAVING BEEN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
UH, THE THREE OF US SHARE THAT IN COMMON.
UH, THAT WE KIND OF SET A POLICY
AND THEN DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT
WHAT THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION
OF THAT IS IN THE MOMENT.
AND SO I ACTUALLY THANKFUL FOR THE OPPOSITION'S
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
LIKE THERE WILL BE A TEACHER WHO WILL SAY, HEY.
LET ME SEE THAT.
RIGHT.
AND, UH, AND, AND IN THAT MOMENT, WE WANT A STUDENT
TO BE FULLY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THEIR ABILITY TO,
UH, NOT CONSENT TO THAT, UH,
OR TO VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO
HANDING OVER THEIR PHONE.
UH, SO I JUST I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STRIKE
A BALANCE IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS FOR THAT,
UH, NATURAL CIRCUMSTANCE TO ACTUALLY
BE PROTECTIVE OF MINORS.
RIGHT.
AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT WAS WHAT
THE COMMITTEE'S INTENT WAS
TO REALLY BE PROTECTIVE OF, UH,
THE MINORS RIGHT TO PRIVACY.
SO, UH, JUST TO THE AUTHOR,
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN COMMIT
TO WORKING ON AS IT MOVES INTO PRIVACY
TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT.
IT'S WORKED OUT.
YES.
UM, I'M.
I'M HAPPY TO COMMIT, AND I DON'T FEEL
LIKE I'M EVEN GETTING AHEAD OF
THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEIR
THEIR CONCERNS ARE ACTUALLY
NOTED IN THE ANALYSIS OF WHERE
THAT THAT THEY STILL THEY ALSO
WANT TO HAVE SOME KIND OF DISCLOSURE
ON RIGHTS TO STUDENTS.
SO I THINK THAT THAT CROSS REFERENCE AND THAT
CLARIFICATION ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE IN THERE.
AND I'M COMMITTED TO THAT.
I GUESS THE THE, THE POLICY DEBATE OR OR THE,
THE, THE NUANCE HERE TO IT,
AS NOTED IN THE ANALYSIS THAT
THERE'S THAT THERE'S ONE
SET OF VIEWS THAT I THINK
THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE HOLDS.
AND I THINK THE CHAIR ALSO EXPRESSED, WHICH ARE,
I THINK, SOMEWHAT PERSUASIVE,
THAT IN THAT EXAMPLE, UH, MISS BAGWELL GAVE,
IS THE STUDENT GOING TO FEEL SORT OF.
PRESSURE TO GIVE THAT CONSENT COULD SAY,
OH, IT'S VOLUNTARY,
BUT IF YOUR TEACHER'S TELLING YOU IT'S VOLUNTARY,
BUT SIGN IT, RIGHT.
DO YOU NEED THAT SORT OF PARENTAL
PROTECTION AND THAT THAT LAYER
OF SORT OF CONSENT OR DISCLOSURE
AS IN ADDITION TO THAT,
TO THE MINOR SORT OF INHERENT RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW?
SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE WHAT I DON'T YET HAVE
TOTAL CLARITY ON EXACTLY HOW IT'LL BE LANDED.
BUT AS THEY NOTE IN THE ANALYSIS,
THAT THE POWER TO OBTAIN CONSENT OF PRIVATE
INFORMATION FROM A FROM A PUPIL WHO COULD
BE A YOUNG CHILD IS INADVISABLE,
AND THAT THAT POWER IS LESS LIKELY
TO BE ABUSED IF THE ENTITY
THAT THAT THAT MUST SEEK CONSENT
OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN,
AS IS THE STANDARD WITH OTHER LAWS
GOVERNING A MINOR'S PRIVACY
AND ABILITY TO CONSENT, THAT THAT SAID, WHAT I,
WHAT I, WHAT I DON'T WANT IS FOR THAT, UM,
THAT DISCLOSURE OR ADVISEMENT
ONLY TO GO TO THE PARENT.
RIGHT.
I THINK, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR TO
BUILD TEACHER TRUST IN THE CLASSROOM,
UM, TO BUILD AND REALLY GIVE STUDENTS SOME,
SOME, SOME WEIGHT IN THIS TO HAVE THAT,
THAT ADVISEMENT ON THAT AND OR THAT
DISCLOSURE ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.
UM, UH, BUT BUT WHO WHO SIGNS THE FORM?
THAT QUESTION, I THINK, IS STILL AN OPEN ONE.
SO, SO.
JUST AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, WE ALL KNOW THAT
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, UH,
PARENTS AND STUDENTS HAVE TO GO IN AND SIGN A BUNCH
OF DIFFERENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF POLICIES.
AND AND THAT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY,
I THINK, FOR, UH,
BOTH THE PARENT AND THE STUDENT TO
BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, LIKE,
LEGITIMATELY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY,
UM, AND BE MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT
THIS PARTICULAR EXAMPLE.
UH, AND SO I THINK THAT WE IT SOUNDS
LIKE YOU WILL GET THERE WITH THAT.
I ALSO DO HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE MOMENT AFTER THIS,
YOU KNOW, INTERACTION.
UH, AND AS THIS BILL MOVES THROUGH,
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE AUTHOR TO ALSO
CONSIDER THE FACT THAT, UM.
WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN IS THAT
RESULT IN A NEGATIVE INTERACTION,
AND THEN THAT NEGATIVE INTERACTION
RESULTING IN A CONSEQUENCE
FOR THE STUDENT IN EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT.
SOME OF THE WAYS TO BE ABLE TO AVOID
THAT ARE TO BE VERY DIRECTIVE WITH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND WHEN THEY SET
THOSE POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THAT,
YOU KNOW, BASICALLY EXERCISING ONE'S
RIGHT DOESN'T LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY.
UH, DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
SO JUST AS A THOUGHT FOR THE CHAIR,
UH, AND, UH, AND THE AUTHOR,
AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORK THIS BILL THROUGH,
UM, I'D ALSO.
OF A PROACTIVE.
COMMENTARY AROUND THE MOMENT AFTER.
I'M DEFINITELY WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS
BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU TO THE OPPOSITION FOR KIND OF UPLIFTING
WHAT THE THE PRIMARY CONCERNS ARE.
I BELIEVE YOU'LL GET THERE.
AND I WILL BE LOOKING ON THE FLOOR
TO SEE IF THAT WAS ACHIEVED.
AND I'LL RESERVE MY VOTE.
YOU JUST A QUICK COMMENT.
UH, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT, UH.
UH, STUDENTS HAVE A LESSER EXPECTATION
OF PRIVACY ON LIKE, SAY,
UM, UH, DRUG SEARCHES, LIKE IN,
IN THEIR, IN THEIR LOCKERS.
UM, BUT IF WE WERE TO ASSUME, YOU KNOW,
THE ANALOGY OF STUDENTS HAVING A PRIVACY
RIGHT TO WHAT'S IN THEIR LOCKERS,
WE WOULDN'T WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO WAVE,
YOU KNOW, WITH THE ANNUAL FORM,
THEIR RIGHTS TO THAT PRIVACY TO THEIR LOCKER.
AND I THINK THAT'S, YOU KNOW,
KIND OF A SIMILAR SITUATION
WHEN WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS
HERE THAT, YOU KNOW.
THE ANY SEARCH OF A SOCIAL MEDIA?
UH, YOU KNOW.
AS WELL AS ANY WAIVER OF IT SHOULD BE ON
A ON A SPECIFIC FACTUAL CASE BY CASE BASIS.
AND WE WOULDN'T WANT, YOU KNOW,
CREATE A PRECEDENT WHERE A STUDENT CAN WAIVE,
YOU KNOW,
THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT
OF THE PARENTS, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT.
WE DON'T ALLOW STUDENTS TO WAIVE THEIR
RIGHTS IN ANY, ANY OTHER UH,
UM, UH, SITUATION WITHOUT
THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PARENTS.
YOU KNOW, THESE ARE MINORS.
AND SO, YEAH, I THINK WE'RE WE'RE TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT ALL OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UH, THE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE CONSULTANT
IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE
IN TOUCH WITH THE PRIVACY,
UH, COMMITTEE, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ADDRESS ALL OF THE CONCERNS.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE A WORKING AGREEMENT
THAT ABSOLUTELY WANTS
TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS, THE PRIVACY
RIGHTS OF STUDENTS.
UH, IT'S JUST HOW DO WE MAKE IT WORK?
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING.
AND ALSO, ASSEMBLY MEMBER BONTA,
GREAT IDEA ABOUT THE SCHOOL
DISCIPLINE PIECE THAT WE ACTUALLY
DIDN'T THINK OF THAT.
AND JUST THINK SENATOR STERN AND I JUST SAID,
LET'S LET'S WORK ON THAT.
SO THAT'S FANTASTIC IDEA.
UM.
I THINK THE INTENTION AND THE ORIGINAL CALLICARPA
DISCLOSURE WAS NEVER TO HAVE STUDENTS,
UM, DO A BLANKET WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHTS.
I THINK SIMILARLY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, UM, YOU KNOW,
KIND OF DELEGATING THAT RIGHT TO PARENTS,
WE WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE A SIMILAR CONCERN RELATED
TO EXACTLY WHAT ASSEMBLY MEMBER BONTA
SAID IN THAT STACK OF PAPERS THAT YOU GET
TO SIGN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
AS A PARENT, WHAT IF THERE IS A WAIVER
THAT FOLKS DON'T SEE IN WHICH
A PARENT IS JUST BLANKET SIGNING AWAY
THEIR CHILD'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY,
AS WELL, EXPLICITLY AUTHORIZING
THE SCHOOL TO HAVE ESSENTIALLY
FULL ACCESS TO A CHILD'S ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.
WE AREN'T AWARE OF ANY SCHOOLS
THAT DO THAT RIGHT NOW,
BUT YOU COULD SEE HOW THAT WOULD PLAY OUT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT
THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH
PARENTAL CONSENT THAT WE'LL WANT TO LOOK AT AS WELL,
AND ALSO THAT THE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
IS NOT SOMETHING
THAT ACLU AND OUR PARTNERS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH.
THE, UM, ISSUE IS JUST THAT UNDER CAL ACPA,
WHICH IS A DIFFERENT LEGAL STANDARD
THAN A DRUG SEARCH OF A LOCKER,
THERE IS IT DOES EXPLICITLY SAY
IN THERE THAT WE NEED THE,
UM, CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR.
I BELIEVE THE TERM IS AUTHORIZED OR
AUTHORIZED POSSESSOR OF THE DEVICE.
AND SO IN THIS CASE, THAT IS THE MINOR.
AND SO IT A, UM, SIMPLY THE CONSENT OF
A PARENT IS NOT SUFFICIENT UNDER CAL ACPA,
IT WOULD NEED TO BE A DUAL CONSENT OF BOTH AND.
RIGHT.
SO I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT
THE PARENTAL CONSENT WELL POINT
WELL TAKEN IS NOT SUFFICIENT UNDER
CALIFORNIA PRIVACY LAW.
OKAY, CHAIR, I WOULD JUST IMAGINE
THAT IT WOULD BE MORE,
UH, IT'S LIKE EITHER THE POSITIVE OR THE NEGATIVE.
I'M THINKING OF IT MORE OF AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE EXISTENCE OF CAL EPA,
THAT A STUDENT DOES HAVE THE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY,
THAT A STUDENT DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO NOT GRANT,
UH, THAT CONSENT IS VOLUNTARY,
THAT A STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT
TO NOT GRANT THAT CONSENT,
SHOULD IT, UH, SHOULD THE OPPORTUNITY,
YOU KNOW, BE REQUESTED OF THEM?
UH, AND STUDENTS AS MINORS, YOU KNOW,
JOINTLY DO HAVE TO SIGN THOSE,
UH, ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS OF POLICY
AT THE BEGINNING OF, OF THE YEAR.
SURE.
AND SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I'M.
YEAH.
NO, I HEAR YOU SO, SO MAYBE LIKE A ANNUAL
CONSENT OR AN ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF,
OF STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS TO SOCIAL MEDIA,
BUT ON A CASE BY CASE,
DUAL CONSENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR SEARCH.
BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO
CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION,
UH, AS IT MOVES TO THE PRIVACY.
YOU'LL GET THERE, CHAIR.
ALL RIGHT.
OKAY.
UH, MR.
HOOVER.
BUT, SENATOR, I JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BILL
FORWARD AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORK
ON ALL THESE WONDERFUL THINGS.
UH, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ADDED AS A CO-AUTHOR
IF YOU'RE MAKING AMENDMENTS ALREADY.
SO JUST, UH, WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE, BUT,
UH, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS.
THANK YOU.
WE'LL ADD YOU AND I DON'T KNOW, MR.
CHAIR, AT YOUR DISCRETION, I THINK, UM,
MISS RUCKER WITH CTA JUST HAD A BRIEF COMMENT.
SURE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY AT THE TIME WHEN
THE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE THAT
WERE BEING BROUGHT UP AND OBJECTED
TO BY THE ACLU WERE DONE,
THE SENATOR'S OFFICE DID REACH OUT TO
CTA TO DISCUSS IF THESE AMENDMENTS
WERE GOING TO CHANGE OUR POSITION
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
WE UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF MAKING THIS CHANGE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS
A VERY HIGH LEGAL STANDARD
AND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRIVACY
THAT STUDENTS HAVE WITH
A LOCKER SEARCH AND THE PRIVACY
THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO EXPECT
WITH REGARD TO THEIR PHONES AND THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA.
I HAVE BEEN AROUND THIS CONVERSATION
ABOUT STUDENT PRIVACY,
AND ABOUT OPTING OUT AND OPTING
OUT RIGHTS AS ASSEMBLY MEMBER
BONTA POINTED OUT THAT PARENTS
ROUTINELY DO FOR A LONG TIME.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT BACK IN 2001,
THERE WAS A FEDERAL LAW
THAT ACTUALLY GAVE MILITARY RECRUITERS
THE RIGHT TO LOOK
AT STUDENT RECORDS AND TO TALK TO
STUDENTS WITHOUT THE PERMISSION
OF PARENTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF MILITARY RECRUITMENT.
AND PARENTS HAD TO COME IN AND KNOWINGLY OPT
OUT OF HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT OCCUR.
THIS IS NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH THIS BILL,
AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY CTA
IS CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE BILL.
THE ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE IN PREPARATION
FOR THIS HEARING WAS QUITE
THOUGHTFUL IN LAYING OUT WHAT
THE PARAMETERS AND CONCERNS WERE,
AND WE BELIEVE THE AMENDMENTS
THAT WILL BE WORKED OUT IN
THE NEXT HEARING WILL NOT ONLY SATISFY THE CONCERNS
ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO MEET THAT STANDARD AND MAKE
SURE WE ARE NOT OVERWRITING EXISTING LAW,
BUT ALSO TO HELP PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS ARE.
THERE IS AN ASSUMPTION IN THIS
CONVERSATION THAT PEOPLE
THAT THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF
FOLKS INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS,
EITHER THEY FULLY KNOW WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE FOR
PRIVACY PROTECTION OR THEY'RE QUITE SAVVY.
UM, IN THIS CASE, THE STUDENTS ARE
PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE SAVVY
THAN THEIR PARENTS ARE ABOUT
WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO.
UM, BUT THE BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT.
AS ASSEMBLY MEMBER BONTA POINTED OUT,
SCHOOLS DO HAVE A PROCESS THAT THEY
GO THROUGH AND USE TO DO THIS,
OPTING OUT OR TO DO THIS PRIVACY PROTECTION
AND DO THIS CHECK OFF AND MAKE THESE ROUTINES.
SO I HAVE NO CTA, HAS NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE THAT
THE CHANGES PROPOSED ARE BEING CONSIDERED,
WON'T ALSO BE ADAPTED AND DRAFTED BY
DISTRICTS GOING FORWARD TO MAKE
THE PROCESS WORK AND TO HAVE SOME
COMMON SENSE APPROACH FOR IT.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT.
OKAY, SO, UM, I THINK WE'RE READY
TO WRAP UP, UH, YOU KNOW,
CONVERSATIONS TO BE CONTINUED WITH THE THE POLICY
COMMITTEE THAT HAS THE EXPERTISE ON THESE,
THESE PRIVACY ISSUES, BUT WITH THE EDUCATION,
UH, POLICY CONCERNS ADDRESSED,
UM, I, I CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW,
FULLY SUPPORT THE, THE OVERALL INTENT,
UH, AS, AS A PARENT OF A TEENAGE DAUGHTER,
I MEAN, SEEING ALL THE, THE DATA OF,
OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN PARTICULAR ON,
ON TEENAGE GIRLS, UH,
BEING DRIVEN BY SOCIAL MEDIA
AND A LOT OF WAYS, YOU KNOW,
IT APPEARS THE DATA IS SHOWING THAT IT'S IT'S
MORE THE SOCIAL MEDIA THAN THE SMARTPHONES.
I MEAN, THE SMARTPHONES CLEARLY ARE
THE TOOLS TO ENGAGE WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
BUT THE REAL PROBLEM, UH, APPEARS TO BE THE,
UH, MORE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
UM, AND SO I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD
ADD ME AS A CO-AUTHOR TO YOUR BILL,
UM, AS WELL AS YOUR PREVIOUS BILL, BY THE WAY.
UM, AND.
UH, ASK UH UH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO CLOSE.
I SO APPRECIATE THAT THE HONORS RETURN DOUBLY, MR.
CHAIR.
UM, THE THING I WOULD JUST SAY IN MY CLOSE IS
THE THOROUGHNESS OF THIS DEBATE
IS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
AND WE'LL ADHERE TO IT DILIGENTLY AND AND BRING YOU
GUYS A PRODUCT THAT YOU'RE ALL PROUD TO VOTE FOR.
UH, BEFORE THIS, BEFORE THE FLOOR.
IF WE GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO JUST KEEP MOVING.
UM, BUT I WILL SAY, THOUGH,
IS THE HOPE IS IF WE DESIGN THIS RIGHT,
AND IF SCHOOL BOARDS,
UM, AND, AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS, UM,
APPROACH THIS AUTHORIZATION IN THE RIGHT WAY,
THAT THESE REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HIGH PRESSURE
SITUATIONS ARE NOT ACTUALLY GOING
TO BE THE NORM OR EVEN THE COMMON OCCURRENCE
THAT THERE WOULD THAT THERE'S A.
THERE'S A ABILITY ONCE YOU MAKE BROAD POLICY.
WE'VE SEEN IT DOCUMENTED WHEN
IT COMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA USE,
WHERE IF YOU'RE THE ONE STUDENT WHOSE MOM OR DAD
OR PARENT DOESN'T LET YOU USE THE PLATFORM,
YOU'RE THE ODD PERSON OUT, RIGHT?
YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THAT FOMO OR
THAT SOMEONE'S TALKING ABOUT YOU,
OR YOU'RE NOT ON THE SNAPCHAT,
OR YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING
ON AND YOU'RE OUT OF THE LOOP.
BUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE EXPERIMENTS,
AND IT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE IN PRIVATE
SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAVE REALLY
STEPPED OUT AND TAKEN THE LEAD,
WHICH IS A BIGGER ISSUE AROUND THE INEQUITIES WHERE
KIDS GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL, GET MORE PROTECTIONS,
HAVE MORE PHONE LOCKERS,
HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE THEIR
SOCIAL MEDIA APPS ACTUALLY DISABLED JUST ENTIRELY.
SO WHEN YOU'RE ON THE WIFI,
IT JUST DOESN'T WORK, RIGHT.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF,
ARE WE SEARCHING TO MAKE SURE
YOU'RE ON IT OR NOT ON IT?
IT IT'S IT'S IT'S KNOCKED OUT BY,
BY A BLOCK WITHIN THERE.
THE WI-FI SYSTEM ON THE CAMPUS,
THERE'S SOME PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE PURSUING THAT.
BUT IF WE CAN GET CRITICAL MASS OF STUDENTS, UM,
ALL FEELING TOGETHER THAT THEY
ARE GOING TO GET OFF THE APP,
PICK THEIR HEADS UP AND BE
WITH EACH OTHER AT SCHOOL.
LOOK, IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE TEENAGE LIFE
ANY LESS CRAZY OR UNCOMFORTABLE,
AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.
BUT THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY BUILD RESILIENCE
IN THIS NEXT GENERATION.
AND SO ONCE THAT CRITICAL MASS HAPPENS,
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT STUDENTS,
NOT JUST OUR TEACHERS AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS,
OUR PTA, CSB, EVERYBODY, BUT THE STUDENTS ARE GOING
TO TAKE THAT LEADERSHIP UP THEMSELVES AND SAY,
WE ALL WANT OFF, WE ALL WANT OFF THIS,
THESE APPS AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE TOGETHER
AND THAT THERE'S YOU CAN'T BREAK THAT SEAL THEN.
SO HOPEFULLY IF WE GET THAT SORT
OF COLLECTIVE ACTION HAPPENING,
IT DOESN'T END UP IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES OF,
YOU KNOW,
UM, THIS INSTANCE OF CYBER BULLYING
WHERE A SEARCH THEN
BECOMES NECESSARY AND YOU HAVE
TO TRY TO GET CONSENT.
WE HOPE WE DON'T GET THERE AT ALL
AND THAT WE INSPIRE COLLECTIVE ACTION,
BOTH COURAGE BY OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TO TAKE THIS STEP
WITH THE NUDGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE,
AND REALLY TO EMPOWER STUDENTS
THEMSELVES TO SAY NO MORE.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR FUTURE IN OUR OWN HANDS AND,
UM, BE WITH EACH OTHER IN PERSON, LIVE.
UM, IT WORKS.
SO WITH THAT, RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
THANK YOU.
UM, MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
OKAY.
UM, LET ME JUST CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD
THAT THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE'S
AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROCESSED IN
THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE TO ALLOW,
UM, FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE.
SO WITH THAT, MADAM SECRETARY,
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FILE.
ITEM 16, SB 1283.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO PRIVACY.
MERCI MERCI MERCI MERCI.
FLORA.
ADIS.
ADIS I ALVAREZ.
BONTA I BONTA I HOOVER.
HOOVER I MCCARTHY.
FOUR ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, SENATOR GONZALEZ.
THIS IS FILE NUMBER TEN, SENATE BILL 1182.
>> OKAY.
OH, YEAH.
RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR.
CHAIR.
AND MEMBERS, I'M HERE TO PRESENT SB 1182,
WHICH WILL REQUIRE CROSS-AGENCY
COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION
ON HOW CALIFORNIA CAN KEEP ITS SCHOOLS SAFE IN
AN ERA OF EXTREME IMPACTS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.
CALIFORNIA MAINTAINS, AS YOU MAY KNOW, OVER 125,000
ACRES OF SCHOOL GROUNDS, 730,000,000FT²
OF FACILITY SPACE, AND 10,000 SCHOOL FACILITIES,
OF WHICH 40% ARE AT LEAST 50 YEARS OLD.
SB 1182 WILL ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PLAN THAT WILL
BETTER POSITION CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS
TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE THE GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES
THAT WE'RE FACING WITH CLIMATE RISK.
UM, AND SO THIS COORDINATED GUIDANCE
WILL BE HELPFUL IN THAT RESPECT.
AND TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT TODAY
I HAVE MITCH STEIGER WITH CFT.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
MEMBERS AND STAFF.
MITCH STEIGER WITH.
CFT, A UNION OF EDUCATORS
AND CLASSIFIED PROFESSIONALS,
PROUD.
TO CO-SPONSOR THIS BILL, ALONG WITH A LARGE.
COALITION OF OTHER.
LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS,
ALL OF WHOM ARE BROUGHT.
TOGETHER BY THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM,
AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR THIS SPECIFIC SOLUTION.
AND THE NEED IS GREAT.
THE REALITY IS THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE
NOT READY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE.
UM, THEY ARE NOT.
READY FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE NOT READY FOR.
WHAT'S COMING IN THE FUTURE.
AND WE NEED TO DO.
A LOT TO GET THERE.
MY SON'S SCHOOL IS ABOUT TO CELEBRATE
ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY,
UM, BUILT AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE A LOT MORE WORRIED.
ABOUT THE GREAT.
DEPRESSION AND WAR IN EUROPE.
THAN ABOUT A CLIMATE.
CHANGE PROBLEM.
THAT WE DIDN'T REALLY EVEN.
KNOW EXISTED YET.
AND AS A RESULT.
THAT SCHOOL AND.
MANY OTHERS ARE NOT READY FOR THE EXTREME HEAT.
EVENTS, THE WILDFIRE.
AFFECTED AIR.
THEY DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENTLY.
EFFICIENT.
HVAC SYSTEMS, THEY DON'T HAVE COOL ROOFS,
ALL THESE THINGS THAT WE NEED.
AND SO AS A RESULT, THE EFFECTS
ON BOTH OUR MEMBERSHIP
AND OUR STUDENTS ARE PRETTY MASSIVE.
UH, THE EVIDENCE IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT FOR EVERY
RISE IN TEMPERATURE ABOVE 75 DEGREES,
HUMAN COGNITIVE FUNCTION DECLINES.
IT GETS HARDER TO TEACH,
IT'S HARDER FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN,
AND OUR SCHOOLS JUST CAN'T FUNCTION
THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD.
AND SO TO CALIFORNIA'S COLLECTIVE CREDIT,
WE'RE DOING A LOT TO TRY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
WE ARE THROWING A LOT OF TIME
AND ENERGY AND MONEY AT THIS PROBLEM,
BUT WE'VE NEVER REALLY TAKEN A STEP BACK
AND TAKEN A HOLISTIC LOOK AT THE WHOLE
PROBLEM AND ANALYZED WHAT SHOULD WE DO FIRST,
WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE?
WHAT'S THE MOST EFFICIENT?
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL DOES.
IT PUTS TOGETHER THAT PLAN.
IT BRINGS TOGETHER ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS SO THAT
WE CAN HAVE THE BEST PLAN POSSIBLE SO THAT
WE CAN GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR ALL OF THOSE
BUCKS THAT WE'RE THROWING AT THIS PROBLEM,
AND BE AS POSITIONED AS WELL
AS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO DEAL
WITH THE CURRENT AND COMING
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND SO WE STRONGLY URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, SENATOR GONZALEZ.
MR.
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE,
MY NAME IS JILLIAN.
RODRIGUEZ, AND I AM THE.
CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER AT TEN STRANDS, A.
CALIFORNIA BASED NONPROFIT.
FOCUSED ON ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL.
AND CLIMATE.
LITERACY IN THE K-12.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
OUR ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF INNOVATION.
OFFICER, ANGIE MCGOWAN.
WAS A LEAD AUTHOR IN THE 2023 STUDY A CALL TO
ACTION CLIMATE RESILIENT CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS,
JOINTLY RELEASED WITH STANFORD UNIVERSITY.
THE REPORT'S CENTRAL RECOMMENDATION
IS FOR OUR STATE TO
DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT SCHOOLS,
WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON CLIMATE ADAPTATION
OF SCHOOL FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
THANKFULLY, LEADERS IN CALIFORNIA ARE MAKING
POSITIVE HEADWAY AND INVESTING IN THIS AREA,
INCLUDING CAL SHAPED FUNDING THROUGH
THE ENERGY COMMISSION.
SCHOOLYARD GREENING THROUGH CAL.
FIRE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE FUNDING THROUGH.
THE STRATEGIC.
GROWTH COUNCIL.
BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE
THESE AND FUTURE EFFORTS ARE
COORDINATED AND PROMOTE RESPONSIVE,
EQUITABLE INVESTMENT IN.
ENERGY.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE MUST ALSO ENSURE INVESTMENTS ARE
SCALED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
SENATOR GONZALEZ GAVE YOU THE SCOPE
OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
UM, AND JUST TO REALLY, 40% OF THESE
SCHOOLS ARE 50 YEARS OLD.
WE ARE NOT READY FOR WHAT'S COMING
AND WHAT'S HAPPENING CURRENTLY.
RECENT STUDIES HAVE FOUND TREMENDOUS INEQUITIES
ACROSS CALIFORNIA, AND ACCESS TO HEALTHY,
MODERN SCHOOL FACILITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE
EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHALLENGES,
FROM HIGH HEAT WILDFIRES, AIR POLLUTION,
SEA LEVEL RISE, AND STORM BASED FLOODING.
ACROSS CALIFORNIA, TOO MANY FACILITIES ARE OUTMODED,
ESPECIALLY FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION,
AND TOO MANY ARE NOT TAKING STEPS
TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE.
ADDITIONALLY, MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO
NOT HAVE UP TO DATE FACILITY PLANS,
AND FOR THOSE THAT DO, THERE'S LITTLE CONSISTENCY
IN FOCUSING ACROSS THESE PLANS.
A STATEWIDE MASTER PLAN WILL POSITION LOCAL
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LEVERAGE LOCAL,
STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES,
SUCH AS THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FOR
SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE AND HEAT PUMPS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU VOTE I ON SB 1182
TO SAFEGUARD OUR CHILDREN AND HELP NAVIGATE
THE MASSIVE CLIMATE RELATED CHALLENGES THAT
OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES INCREASINGLY FACE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PUBLIC COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, PLEASE.
MR.
CHAIRMAN MEMBERS.
MIKE WEST ON BEHALF OF THE STATE
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT.
KAYLA ROBINSON ON BEHALF OF THE BUILDING
DECARBONIZATION COALITION.
SUPPORT.
THANKS.
NORLAND ASHBROOK ON BEHALF OF
REWIRING AMERICA IN SUPPORT.
NICOLE WATERMAN ON BEHALF OF THE.
CHILDREN'S PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT.
CASSIE MANCINI ON BEHALF OF CSA IN SUPPORT.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
KAREN AMIGONE, ON BEHALF OF A VOICE
FOR CHOICE ADVOCACY IN SUPPORT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, SAM NASH,
ON BEHALF OF THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.
AFTERNOON.
BRIAN RIX.
ON BEHALF OF LOS ANGELES UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN.
SUPPORT.
JUAN ALTAMIRANO WITH THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND.
ALSO ON.
BEHALF OF GREEN.
SCHOOLYARDS.
AMERICAN CHILDREN NOW IN SUPPORT.
KATHLEEN FAY ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA
STATE PTA IN SUPPORT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY WITNESSES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
SEEING NONE.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL?
SEEING NONE.
BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE, MISS ADAMS.
VERY BRIEFLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR THIS, BILL.
UM, I, UH, REPRESENT THE CENTRAL COAST,
WHICH PEOPLE WOULD NOT THINK OF AS HAVING
SCHOOLS THAT FACE THESE ISSUES.
BUT ABSOLUTELY, WE ALSO HAVE SCHOOLS, EVEN IN VERY,
VERY BEAUTIFUL AREAS OF THE STATE.
VERY, VERY, UM, YOU KNOW, WHERE THERE'S BEEN
LOTS OF CONSERVATION AND GREENING, ETC..
WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS WHERE SCHOOLS
HAVE VERY HIGH LEVELS OF HEAT.
TOO MUCH BLACKTOP, ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING.
AND SO I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE COORDINATED EFFORT
THAT YOU'RE BRINGING AND JUST UPLIFT.
WHAT AN IMPORTANT TOPIC THIS IS FOR
THE ENTIRE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU.
SEEING NO FURTHER COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GONZALEZ, SENATOR GONZALEZ, FOR CONTINUING
TO CHAMPION THIS CAUSE.
UM, I'D BE HONORED IF YOU CAN ADD
ME AS A CO-AUTHOR TO YOUR,
UH, MEASURE ONCE AGAIN, AS YOU DID LAST YEAR.
UM, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I, I'VE BEEN IMMERSED
IN THESE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UH, UH,
ABOUT HOW DO WE PREPARE OUR SCHOOLS TO,
TO ADAPT TO THE REALITIES OF, OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
UH, YOU KNOW, IN OUR DISCUSSIONS
ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOND,
UM, YOU KNOW, CLEARLY THE NEED FAR EXCEEDS,
UH, YOU KNOW, ANY AMOUNT OF A SCHOOL BOND
THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING.
DISCUSSING.
UH, BUT I ABSOLUTELY RECOGNIZE, UH, THE URGENCY,
YOU KNOW, OF, UH, AS, UH, MR.
STEIGER TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
UH, STUDENTS, STAFF, YOU KNOW,
BECOMING ILL FROM THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME HEAT,
UH, AT TOO MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS.
AND SO, UM, WHILE THE THE,
THE CHALLENGES OF OF OF THE COST
IMPLICATIONS WILL CONTINUE,
I IMAGINE, TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR THIS BILL.
BUT, UH, IN TERMS OF THE NEED FOR THIS BILL,
I ABSOLUTELY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.
AS ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
ARDIS AND THE MANY COALITION PARTNERS.
I SPEAK TO YOU.
NOT JUST AS A SENATOR, BUT AS A MOM.
OF THREE SONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
UM, AND I WANT TO JUST THANK
YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK
WITH ME AND ALONG WITH THE COALITION FOR THIS,
AND ALSO THANKS TO MISS RODRIGUEZ,
MBARKI, AS WELL AS MR.
STEIGER FOR THEIR TESTIMONY TODAY.
RESPECTFULLY ASKED FOR AN I VOTE.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
YES, MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
FINAL ITEM TEN SB 1182.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
MAYOR SUU KYI, MAYOR SUU KYI, I FLORA.
ADDIS ADDIS I ALVAREZ BONTA I BONTA I HOOVER.
HOOVER I MCCARTY.
FOUR ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE 14 MINUTES UNTIL
THE BEGINNING OF FLOOR SESSION.
UH, AND SO WE WILL, UM, ALLOW, UH,
COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO ADD ON, UH,
AND TO LIFT THE CALL FOR ANY BILLS
THAT HAVE ALREADY PASSED.
YEAH.
SO WE'LL START WITH FILE ITEM FIVE, SB 691.
THE MOTION IS TO PASS, AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS,
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR BOTH VOTING.
I ALVAREZ TO.
EYE.
TO EYE.
HOOVER.
HOOVER NOT VOTING.
MCCARTY.
FOR VOTES.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM SIX, SB 897.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS.
BOTH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
VOTING I ADDIS ADDIS I BONTA.
NOT.
VOTING.
BONTA NOT VOTING.
HOOVER.
HOOVER I.
MCCARTY.
FIVE ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM SEVEN SB 907.
THE MOTION IS DUE.
PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS.
THE CHAIR VOTING I.
THE VICE CHAIR VOTING NO.
ADDIS.
I WANT TO, I WANT TO I HOOVER.
HOOVER.
NO.
MCCARTY.
42.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 11 SB 1195.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS WITH
THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I ADDIS.
ADDIS I.
HOOVER.
HOOVER I.
MCCARTY.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
BY ITEM 14, SB 1263.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
ADDIS.
AT IS EYE TO EYE TO EYE.
HOOVER.
EYE.
MCCARTY.
060.
I'M SORRY.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 15 SB 1277.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS,
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I.
HOOVER.
HOOVER I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
SEVEN ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 16 SB 1283.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO PRIVACY,
WITH THE CHAIR VOTING I THE VICE
CHAIR NOT VOTING ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 19, SB 1440.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS,
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
ALVAREZ.
I.
BONTA.
BONTA I.
HOOVER.
HOOVER I.
MCCARTY.
I.
SEVEN ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
OKAY.
WE'RE STARTING.
WE'RE STARTING BACK AT THE TOP WITH CONSENT.
ALVAREZ.
I.
MCCARTY.
I.
070.
THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS ADOPTED.
BY ITEM 1AB 1955.
THE MOTION IS TO CONCUR IN THE SENATE
AMENDMENTS WITH THE CHAIR VOTING I.
THE VICE CHAIR VOTING NO.
ALVAREZ.
ONE.
ALVAREZ I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
5 TO 2.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM FIVE, SB 691.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASS AS AMENDED TO APPROPRIATIONS
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM SIX, SB 897.
THE MOTION IS TO PASS, AS AMENDED,
TO APPROPRIATIONS,
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM SEVEN SB 907.
THE MOTIONS DO PASS TO APPROPRIATIONS
WITH THE CHAIR VOTING I.
VICE CHAIR VOTING NO.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
5 TO 2.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM TEN SB 1182.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS,
WITH THE CHAIR VOTING I
AND THE VICE CHAIR NOT VOTING.
ALVAREZ.
I.
MCCARTY.
I.
SIX ZERO.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 11 SB 1195.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS WITH
THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I.
070.
THE BILL IS OUT.
FILE ITEM 14, SB 1263.
THE MOTION IS DUE PASSED TO APPROPRIATIONS
WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR VOTING I.
MCCARTY.
MCCARTY I70.
THE BILL IS OUT.
THAT IS IT.
NO WE JUST DID 14.
MHM.
YEP.
ALL RIGHT, IT'S A WRAP.
THIS HEARING IS ADJOURNED.