BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                          SB 453 (Correa)
          
          Hearing Date: 05/26/2011        Amended: 05/24/2011
          Consultant: Jacqueline Wong-HernandezPolicy Vote: Education 7-0
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          BILL SUMMARY: SB 453 would expand the definition of bullying to 
          include acts motivated by specified actual or perceived 
          characteristics of the victim. This bill adds bullying, as 
          specified, to the list of acts for which expulsion may be 
          recommended; this bill adds "persistent bullying", as defined, 
          to the list of acts for which expulsion shall be recommended by 
          a principal, as specified. This bill requires school safety 
          plans to include policies and procedures relating to bullying, 
          as specified.
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                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions                2011-12                  2012-13      
             2013-14                      Fund
           
          Safety Plans                                              
          Potentially significant costs                   Local
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          STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE. 

          Existing law prohibits the suspension or the recommendation of a 
          pupil for expulsion from school unless a school district 
          superintendent or school principal determines that the pupil has 
          committed certain specified acts, including having engaged in an 
          act of bullying.  Existing law defines bullying to include an 
          act of sexual harassment or hate violence, threats or 
          intimidation directed against school pupils or personnel, or 
          bullying committed by electronic means, as specified.  
          (Education Code � 48900) 

          This bill expands the definition of bullying to include acts 
          motivated by specified actual or perceived characteristics of 
          the victim. The degree to which this additional specification of 
          what constitutes bullying is actually an expansion of the 








          SB 453 (Correa)
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          definition is unclear. Because the definition applies to 
          offenses for which a pupil may be recommended for suspension of 
          expulsion, this provision is not a mandate.

          This bill authorizes changes to school safety plans with regard 
          to bullying. Specifically, it provides that "as comprehensive 
          school safety plans are reviewed and updated, all plans, to the 
          extent that resources are available, may include the policies 
          and procedures relating to bullying listed in subdivision (b) of 
          Section 32286.5." This cross-referenced provision lists policies 
          and procedures to: (1) protect students against bullying; (2) 
          establish a process for advocates to assist parents and victims; 
          (3) inform teachers and other staff of best practices related to 
          bullying prevention and intervention; and (4) provide 
          information to pupils on bullying prevention and intervention.