Click here for the 2007 Legislative Guide
Click here for the 2008 Scorecard (.pdf)

Equality California-Sponsored Legislation

SB 777 - Student Civil Rights Act

The Safe Place to Learn Act requires the California Department of Education to regularly monitor what steps school districts have taken to ensure compliance with the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, AB 537 (Kuehl). The legislation will help to ensure that current school safety standards regarding harassment and discrimination are fully and properly implemented.

Status: Introduced February 23, 2007. Passed Senate on May 24 by a 23-13 vote. Passed by Assembly on September 11 by a 42-19 vote. Signed by Governor Schwarzenegger; will become law on January 1, 2008.

Lead Author: Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica)

Sponsor: Equality California

RESOURCES:

• SB 777 Fact Sheet (.pdf)
• SB 777 Sample Letter of Support (.doc)
• Official Legislative Documents

PRESS RELEASES:

• Governor Signs Six LGBT Bills, Secures Protections for LGBT Youth
  10-12-2007
• Assembly Approves Bill to Protect all California Students from Bias and Harassment
  9-11-2007
• Assembly Committee Approves Anti-Bias Protections for California Students
  7-11-2007
• Assemblymember Laura Richardson Heads into Runoff for Congressional Seat
  6-27-2007
• Senate Passes Student Civil Rights Act, Protecting All California Students
  5-24-2007
• Senate Judiciary Committee Votes to Keep Discrimination Out of Publicly-Funded Schools
  4-17-2007
• New Legislation Aims To Keep Discrimination Out Of Publicly-Funded Schools, Programs
  2-26-2007