BILL NUMBER: SB 1253	CHAPTERED  08/26/02

	CHAPTER  253
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 26, 2002
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 24, 2002
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 14, 2002
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 12, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 8, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 17, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 3, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Figueroa
   (Principal coauthor:  Senator Margett)
   (Principal coauthors:  Assembly Members John Campbell and Liu)
   (Coauthor:  Senator Speier)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aroner, Bill Campbell, Chavez, Cox,
Hertzberg, Longville, and Robert Pacheco)

                        JANUARY 9, 2002

   An act to amend Section 48901.5 of the Education Code, relating to
instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1253, Figueroa.  Pupils:  signaling devices.
   Existing law prohibits a school from permitting the possession or
use of any electronic signaling device that operates through the
transmission or receipt of radio waves by pupils of the school while
the pupils are on campus, attending school-sponsored activities, or
while under the supervision and control of school district employees,
without the prior consent of the principal or his or her designee.
   This bill would, instead, authorize school district governing
boards to regulate the use of electronic signaling devices and would
preclude prohibiting a pupil from using an electronic signaling
device if it is determined to be essential for the health of the
pupil, as prescribed.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  It is not the intent of the Legislature to encourage
pupils to use electronic signaling devices at school.  Nevertheless,
the Legislature recognizes that the governing boards of school
districts are in the best position to determine what policy on the
use and possession of electronic signaling devices is best for their
schools.
  SEC. 2.  Section 48901.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   48901.5.  (a) The governing board of each school district, or its
designee, may regulate the possession or use of any electronic
signaling device that operates through the transmission or receipt of
radio waves, including, but not limited to, paging and signaling
equipment, by pupils of the school district while the pupils are on
campus, while attending school-sponsored activities, or while under
the supervision and control of school district employees.
   (b) No pupil shall be prohibited from possessing or using an
electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed
physician and surgeon to be essential for the health of the pupil and
use of which is limited to purposes related to the health of the
pupil.