BILL ANALYSIS ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1256| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD READING Bill No: SB 1256 Author: Hancock (D) Amended: As introduced Vote: 21 SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 8-0, 3/24/10 AYES: Romero, Huff, Alquist, Hancock, Liu, Price, Simitian, Wyland NO VOTE RECORDED: Maldonado SUBJECT : Ed Roberts Day SOURCE : Author DIGEST : This bill designates January 23 each year as Ed Roberts Day, and calls for the day to be observed by the public schools as a day of special significance. The bill also requires the Governor to annually proclaim January 23 as Ed Roberts Day. ANALYSIS : Existing law designates a number of days as having special significance, when public schools are encouraged, but not required, to conduct suitable commemorative exercises integrated into regular school programs. Current law establishes the following days as having special significance: 1.April 6 of each year as California Poppy Day. 2.April 21 of each year as John Muir Day. CONTINUED SB 1256 Page 2 3.The second Wednesday in May as the Day of the Teacher. 4.May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day. Existing law also requires the Governor to proclaim various days to remember individuals. These days include September 28 as Cabrillo Day; January 15 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day, and April 21 as John Muir Day. This bill: 1.Makes various findings and declarations concerning the life and contributions of Ed Roberts. 2.Designates January 23 of each year as Ed Roberts Day, to be a day having special significance when all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises remembering the life of Ed Roberts, recognizing his accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of other Californians with disabilities, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions that Ed Roberts and other Californians with disabilities have made to the state. 3.Requires the Governor to annually proclaim January 23 as Ed Roberts Day. Background Ed Roberts (1939-1995) was an international leader and education in the independent living and disability rights movement. He was the first severely disabled student to attend UC Berkeley and helped create the first student-led disability services program in the country. Ed Roberts advocated for the rights of individuals with disabilities to fully participate in society and served as the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation from 1975-1983. Related and Prior Legislation SB 572 (Leno), Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009 . Designated May 22 of each year as a special day of significance for SB 1256 Page 3 remembering the life and contributions of Harvey Milk. Passed the Senate with a vote of 23-14 on 9/8/09. SB 944 (Runner) -- 2009-10 Session . Designates February 6 of each year as Ronald Reagan Day and establishes that day as a special day of significance in the public schools. (On Senate Third Reading File) FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No SUPPORT : (Verified 3/24/10) California Federation of Teachers California Foundation for Independent Living Centers Center for Independent Living Developmental Disabilities Board Area 5 Development Disabilities Council of Contra Costa University of California Berkeley Disabled Students' Union University of California Berkeley Disabled Students' Program World Institute on Disability ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office, this bill will encourage schools to conduct commemorative exercises to recognize Mr. Robert's accomplishments and raise awareness of issues faced by individuals with disabilities. CPM:cm 3/24/10 Senate Floor Analyses SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE **** END ****