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.