Assembly Bill No. 34
CHAPTER 282
An act to add Article 5.6 (commencing with Section 234.6) to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, relating to pupils.
[ Approved by Governor September 12, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State September 12, 2019.]
The Safe Place to Learn Act requires the State Department of Education to assess whether local educational agencies have taken certain actions related to educational equity, including adopting a policy that prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on specified characteristics, such as disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of the specified characteristics. At the beginning of the first semester or quarter of the regular school term, existing law requires the governing board of a school district to notify the parent or guardian of a minor pupil regarding the right or responsibility of the parent or guardian under specified provisions. Existing law requires that notice to include, among other things, a copy of the school district’s written sexual harassment policy, as it relates to pupils.
This bill would, commencing with the 2020–21 academic year, require each local educational agency, as defined, to ensure that specified information on bullying and harassment prevention is readily accessible in a prominent location on the local educational agency’s existing internet website in a manner that is easily accessible to parents or guardians and pupils. The bill would require local educational agencies to include specified State Department of Education policies and the policies adopted by a local educational agency relating to hate violence, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and suicide prevention and resources relating to these topics. The bill would, contingent upon the enactment of AB 1767 of the 2019–20 Regular Session, also require each local educational agency to ensure that the local educational agency’s policy on pupil suicide prevention in kindergarten and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, is readily accessible on the local educational agency’s existing internet website, as specified above. By requiring school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to ensure specified information on bullying and harassment prevention is readily accessible in a prominent location on the local educational agency’s existing internet website, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
- McFarland Unified School District Policy on Pupil Suicide Prevention in Grades 7-12
- McFarland Unified School District Policy on Pupil Suicide Prevention in Grades K-6
- The Definition of Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex as Described in Section 230
Section 230 prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex in the denial of benefits of any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other program or activity. This section specifically covers athletics and is required to include all athletic rights set forth in Education Code section 221.8.
- Title IX Information (Click here to access the information)
- Link to the Athletes’ Bill of Rights on the District’s Website
This link is to be connected to the district’s Athletes’ Bill of Rights pursuant to requirements of Title IX.4 The Athletes’ Bill of Rights must be in English and Spanish and at a reading level that high school students can comprehend.
- McFarland Unified School District Policy on Sexual Harassment, as It Pertains to Pupils, Pursuant to Education Code section 231.5
Section 231.5 requires a district to have a written policy on sexual harassment, regardless of whether or not the actions meet the Title IX definition of sexual harassment. In addition to being published on the district’s website, the policy must be displayed in a “prominent location” at its school site(s). Prominent location is defined as “that location, or those locations, in the main administrative building or other area where notices regarding the institution’s rules, regulations, procedures, and standards of conduct are posted.
- McFarland Unified School District Policy, Preventing and Responding to Hate Violence as Described in Education Code section 233
Section 233 provides several guidelines for the State Board of Education to establish regarding the prevention of hate violence. The guidelines include training for teachers, administration, and staff, guidelines to develop non-discriminatory instructional and counseling methods, and instructional curricula that promotes understanding, awareness, and appreciation for the contribution of people with diverse backgrounds. These guidelines are to be created on the condition that they do not create a state mandate of increased costs to the LEA. Note that this is the only policy posting that is required, only if the policy exists, whereas the remainder of the policies described are required.
- McFarland Unified School District Anti-discrimination, Anti-harassment, Anti-intimidation, and Anti-bullying Policies
These policies focus on prohibiting discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics. The statute draws from several different statutes to define the protected characteristics. First is the Penal Code’s definition of hate crimes. The protected characteristics of the victim are: disability, gender, nationality, race orientation, religion, sexual orientation, and association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This includes immigration status. Second is the Education Code’s defined protected classes: disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.
- McFarland Unified School District Anti-cyberbullying Procedures
The only guidance given on this topic is that the local educational agency shall adopt a procedure for preventing acts of bullying, including cyberbullying, on or before December 31, 2019. Beyond adopting a policy, there is no further guidance as to what this policy should include.
- Social Media Bullying & other Resources
- Statewide Anti-Bullying Resources, Including Community-based Organizations
- Additional Information and Links for Preventing Bullying and Harassment
Other important links.
- Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs
This site addresses creating a safe environment for youth with disabilities and federal civil rights laws.
- Bullying at School (PDF)
This CDE publication addresses bullying behavior and hate-motivated behavior, including definitions, effects, and prevention strategies.
- Cyberbullying - Definition, Prevention, and Reporting
Cyberbullying happens when children bully each other through electronic technology. Find out why cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying, what you can do to prevent it, and how you can report it when it happens.
- Cyberbullying Research Center
The Cyberbullying Research Center is a clearinghouse of information about cyberbullying among adolescents. It provides information on the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying, as well as resources on how to prevent and respond to online aggression.
- GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
This network provides resources and support for schools to implement effective and age-appropriate anti-bullying programs to improve school climate for all students.
- Massachusetts Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resources
Massachusetts law led to the Model Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan and implementation of model practices in school staff professional development in bullying prevention.
- National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students. Bullying is defined as a form of unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and that is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. This site describes physical, verbal, social bullying, and cyberbullying and features resources.
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service
Select A-Z Topics, and then select Bullying.
- National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council’s mission is to be the nation’s leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime.
- National School Safety Center
The National School Safety Center (NSSC) serves as an advocate for safe, secure, and peaceful schools worldwide and as a catalyst for the prevention of school crime and violence. The NSSC provides school communities and their school safety partners with quality information, resources including bullying and cyberbullying, consultation, and training services.
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
The site provides a summary of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program developed by the Olweus Group. It is a comprehensive model that defines bullying/cyberbullying and utilizes annual surveys, classroom curriculum, implementation resources, and training.
- Organizations and Resources that Support Youth
A list of California organizations providing support to youth and their families who have been subjected to school-related discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying/cyberbullying, including resources for youths affected by gangs, gun violence, and psychological trauma caused by violence at home, school, and in the community.
- PACER National Bullying Prevention Center
The organization provides classroom, family, and community resources and materials related to bullying and cyberbullying prevention, activities and events, and stories. Spanish language materials are available 
- Stop Bullying
Stopbullying.gov is a national organization that provides information for students and adults defining bullying/cyberbullying, and offering advice on how to address the issues, resources, and materials.
- Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. It includes classroom resources and materials on bullying, cyberbullying, and school climate among many other topics related to tolerance.
