BILL NUMBER: SB 552	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section  51220.7   51882 
to the Education Code, relating to schools.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 552, as amended, Padilla. Schools:  adopted course of
study: sciences.   health education. 
   (1)  The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12,
inclusive, is required to include courses in science, among other
areas of study. That study is required to include the physical and
biological aspects of science.   The Comprehensive
Health Education Act of 1977 requires the State Department of
Education to prepare and distribute to school districts guidelines
for the preparation of comprehensive health education plans, and, in
cooperation with county offices of education that desire to
participate, to assist school districts in developing comprehensive
health education plans and programs. 
   This bill would require  the adopted course of study in
science to include education in   school districts to
offer grade 9 or 10 pupils who are enrolled in health classes at
least 15 minutes of instruction on  organ procurement and tissue
donation that would be designed to develop a knowledge of the
potentially life-saving achievement involved in  registering
as an  organ and tissue  donor  
transplantation  . By requiring school districts to provide
organ procurement and tissue donation instruction, this bill would
impose a state-mandated local program.
   (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

   SECTION 1.    The Legislature finds and declares as
follows:  
   (a) There are more than 100,000 people on the national organ
transplant waiting list, and more than 21,000, or 21 percent, of
those people live in California.  
   (b) Currently only 18 percent of California drivers are designated
as organ or tissue donors.  
   (c) Californians who apply for a California drivers license are
asked whether or not they would like to donate their organs and
tissue. It is important that, if we are asking that question, we are
allowing the individual to make an informed decision.  
   (d) There is an urgent need to educate the public about organ and
tissue donation. 
   SEC. 2.    Section 51882 is added to the  
Education Code   , to read:  
   51882.  A school district shall offer grade 9 or 10 pupils who are
enrolled in health classes at least 15 minutes of instruction on
organ procurement and tissue donation designed to develop a knowledge
of the potentially life-saving achievement involved in organ and
tissue transplantation. Nonprofit organizations, including among
others, Donate Life California, shall provide school districts with
the information that will be provided through the instruction
required pursuant to this section. 
   SEC. 3.    If the Commission on State Mandates
determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of
Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.  
  SECTION 1.    Section 51220.7 is added to the
Education Code, to read:
   51220.7.  In addition to the required areas of study in science
specified in subdivision (e) of Section 51220, education on organ
procurement and tissue donation shall be offered and designed to
develop a knowledge of the potentially life-saving achievement
involved in registering as an organ and tissue donor. 

  SEC. 2.    If the Commission on State Mandates
determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of
Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.