Keeping California Students Safe: Three Key Updates to School Safety Laws

School safety is a topic of paramount importance for parents, educators, and the community. In California, new legislation is constantly evolving to address a range of potential emergencies and challenges. It's important to remember that the California Education Code regarding school safety applies to all schools within the state, including public, private, and charter schools. Here are three important updates to California's school safety laws that you should be aware of, with key implementation dates to keep in mind.

1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Response Procedures

What's new: As part of a comprehensive school safety plan, schools will now need to include specific procedures for responding to a sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening medical emergency on school grounds. This update encourages schools to integrate evidence-based core elements, such as CPR training and the strategic placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). For example, a school's plan might state: "In the event of a suspected sudden cardiac arrest, designated staff members trained in CPR and AED usage will immediately respond with the nearest available AED while another staff member calls 911."

When it takes effect: This update becomes part of the comprehensive school safety plan when it is next reviewed and updated on or after July 1, 2025.

2. Enhanced Bullying and Cyberbullying Training

What's new: The California Department of Education is developing and will post an online training module to help all members of the school community—including staff, administrators, parents, and students—better understand and address bullying and cyberbullying. A critical part of this new module is the inclusion of information on how to support students who are bullied for being, or being perceived as, neurodivergent. Schools must annually make this training available to all certificated and other school-site employees who regularly interact with students. For instance, the training might include examples of identifying cyberbullying, such as: "Posting hurtful comments or spreading rumors about someone online," or strategies to address bullying: "Intervening safely when witnessing bullying and reporting the incident to a trusted adult."

When it takes effect: This law was passed as Senate Bill 939 (SB 939) and became effective on January 1, 2025.

3. Best Practices for School Shooter Drills

What's new: Recognizing the need for a trauma-informed approach to emergency preparedness, the California Department of Education is now required to curate and post best practices for school shooter and other armed assailant drills. This guidance will include recommendations for drills that are age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate, along with training tools for staff. While schools are encouraged to comply with these best practices, they will not be mandated by the state. An example of age-appropriate language for a lower elementary drill might be: "We are going to practice a safety drill where we will be very quiet and still in a safe place." For older students, the language might be more direct while still emphasizing safety and minimizing fear.

When it takes effect: The Department of Education is required to post these best practices on its website on or before June 15, 2025. This law was enacted as Assembly Bill 1858 (AB 1858), which became effective on January 1, 2025.

Important Disclaimer: Please note that the language provided above for examples of school safety procedures and training content is for illustrative purposes only. Each school should tailor its specific language and protocols to its unique needs, student population, and school environment, in accordance with the guidance provided by the California Department of Education. These updates represent a significant step forward in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all California students in all school settings. By being aware of these changes and their effective dates, we can all contribute to a safer school community.