BILL NUMBER: AB 2532 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 1096 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 29, 2002 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 29, 2002 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 28, 2002 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 27, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 15, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 23, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 1, 2002 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Rod Pacheco, Bogh, and Frommer (Principal coauthor: Senator Speier) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Longville, Reyes, and Zettel) FEBRUARY 21, 2002 An act to add Section 49415 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2532, Rod Pacheco. Textbook weight. Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils. This bill would require the State Board of Education, on or before July 1, 2004, to adopt maximum weight standards for elementary and secondary school textbooks. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Backpacks of elementary and secondary school pupils often contain textbooks, binders, calculators, personal computers, lunches, a change of clothing, sports equipment, and more. (b) Elementary and secondary school pupils are carrying backpacks weighing as much as 40 pounds. (c) Chiropractors, physical therapists, and pediatricians are seeing an increased number of children for spinal column injuries, nontraumatic back pain, and significant postural changes from overloaded backpacks. (d) Chiropractors and pediatricians recommend that backpacks not exceed more than 15 percent of a pupil's body weight. (e) In 1999, more than 3,400 pupils between 5 and 14 years of age, inclusive, sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to backpacks or book bags according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. SEC. 2. Section 49415 is added to the Education Code, to read: 49415. On or before July 1, 2004, the State Board of Education shall adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks used by pupils in elementary and secondary schools. The weight standards shall take into consideration the health risks to pupils who transport textbooks to and from school each day.