BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Jack Scott, Chair
2005-2006 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 753
AUTHOR: Morrow
INTRODUCED: February 22, 2005
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: April 20, 2005
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Lynn Lorber
SUBJECT : Confidential medical services: parental
notification
SUMMARY
This bill places conditions on the inclusion of the
confidential medical services notice with other notices
that are sent to parents.
BACKGROUND
Current law requires school districts to annually notify
students in grades 7-12, and the parents of those students,
that school authorities may excuse a student from school to
obtain confidential medical services without the consent of
the parent. Current law authorizes this notice to be
included with any other notice given to parents.
ANALYSIS
This bill requires certain conditions to be met if the
confidential medical services notice is to be included with
other notices to parents. The conditions are as follows:
1) The notice must be printed on a piece of paper
separate from any other notice or information.
2) If the notice is included with any other notice in a
multi-notice packet, the piece of paper with the
notice about confidential medical services must be at
least the same size as the largest piece of paper in
the packet.
3) The notice must be printed in a boldface font that is
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at least 12 point and centered on the piece of paper.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Similar legislation passed by this Committee . This
Committee passed a similar bill (see prior
legislation) last year with the addition of language
specifying that the bill does not limit the right of a
student to obtain confidential medical services during
the school day without the consent of his or her
parent. Staff recommends, consistent with action
taken by this committee on previous legislation, that
this bill be amended to specify that this bill does
not limit the right of a student to obtain
confidential medical services during the school day
without the consent of the parent or guardian of the
student.
2) Mandated costs . This bill imposes a mandate on school
districts to print the notice separately, with certain
font and paper size. The Senate Appropriations
Committee estimated costs of a similar bill (see prior
legislation) at $200,000 to $280,000 annually.
3) Related legislation . AB 1154 (La Suer) prohibits
school authorities from excusing any student from
school for any reason without the consent of the
student's parent.
4) Prior legislation . SB 1221 (Morrow/2004) was very
similar to this bill. SB 1221 failed passage in
the Assembly Education Committee.
AB 1041 (Runner/2003) prohibited school authorities from
excusing a student from the school campus before the
end of the school day without the written consent of
his or her parent. AB 1041 failed passage in the
Assembly Education Committee.
AB 2084 (Briggs/2002) and AB 558 (Briggs/2001) were very
similar to AB 1041. Both bills failed passage in
the Assembly Education Committee.
SUPPORT
California Catholic Conference
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California Family Alliance
California Federation of Teachers
Campaign for Children and Families
Concerned Women for America
Eagle Forum of California
Traditional Values Coalition
Numerous individuals
OPPOSITION
None received