State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond celebrated the signing this week by California Gov. Gavin Newsom of several pieces of legislation Thurmond sponsored and supported.
The new laws include measures that increase access to health and mental health services, provide nutritious meals and fund vision services for low-income children statewide.
“I’m pleased that these five bills will secure a brighter future for our kids through more safety precautions for our children who ride the bus, more nutritious meals for our students, increased access to health and mental health services, funding vision services for our low-income students, and stopping unnecessary suspensions and expulsions that should instead be learning experiences,” said Thurmond. “I want to thank my former colleagues for their work passing these bills through the State Legislature, and I want to thank Governor Newsom for signing them into law. I look forward to working together going forward to provide the resources needed to support all California students.”
The bills signed by the Governor this week include:
Assembly Bill 483 (Muratsuchi)—Local Educational Agency: Medi-Cal Billing Option
This law will reform the process by which the Department of Health Care Services audits claims made by schools under the Medi-Cal Local Educational Agency Billing Option Program increase access to school-based health and mental health services for students.
Senate Bill 88 (Skinner)—Pupil Transportation: Driver Qualifications
This law will require drivers of and vehicles used by a local educational agency to provide pupil transportation for compensation to meet certain safety requirements.
Senate Bill 274 (Skinner)—Suspensions and Expulsions: Willful Defiance
This law is designed to keep children in school by prohibiting the suspension of students in transitional kindergarten through grade twelve for low-level behavior issues known as “willful defiance.” Historically, in California and around the nation, willful defiance suspensions have typically been levied for low-level disruptions. Examples include a student wearing a hat backwards, falling asleep in class, or “talking back” to a teacher. Suspensions for willful defiance disproportionately impact students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students who are homeless or in foster care, and students with disabilities.
Senate Bill 348 (Skinner)—Pupil Meals
This law will make California the first state to codify President Joe Biden’s new federal guidelines on school nutrition standards aimed at reducing sugar and salt in school meals.
Senate Bill 502 (Allen)—Medi-Cal: Children: Mobile Optometric Office
This law will allow the state to utilize federal funding and non-General-Fund money to cover vision services for low-income children statewide through a mobile optometric office.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond voiced his support for the comprehensive COVID-19 guidance document issued by Governor Newsom Thursday.
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a new food assistance program for children throughout the state who are living in households struggling with food insecurity.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday he is working with leaders from California and the nation to study the questions that must be answered, and what measures must be in place, before schools can safely reopen as early as July.
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The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that Anthony Eslao, a senior at Golden Valley High School, has been awarded the distinguished California Scholarship Federation Seymour Award. Additionally, Matthew Thomas De Guzman, also from Golden Valley, has been recognized as a Seymour Award finalist.
The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Union School District Office.
Saugus High School’s inaugural varsity color guard team will compete at the WGI Color Guard World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday thru Saturday, April 3-5.
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
Connect with other businesses and attend the Valley Industry Association After Five networking mixer on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at J Blair Group
At the direction of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, KH Consulting Group is conducting an independent study to identify strengths and challenges of L.A. County’s current governance model and make recommendations for actionable change.
Effective April 2, 2025, The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is proud to announce that Bob Hope Patriotic Hall has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
California State University, Northridge’s top student choreographers and dancers will demonstrate diverse choreographic vision, passionate dancing and powerful performances in “Kinesis: Emerging Choreography,” which will premiere on April 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 24, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
WiSH Education Foundation's Over the Edge, the first annual rappelling event to hit the SCV, is waiting for all our adventurous friends to join us by raising funds for our local students through a brand new and exciting opportunity.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is lifting the Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B).
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Saddle Up Santa Clarita,” on view in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall now through May 14.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley is calling on community members to rally together for the 27th annual Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley, on Saturday, May 3, at Central Park.
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library will welcome back Western author J.R. Sanders for a free special event 6 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at the Old Town Newhall Library.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Healthhas announced the launch of the Office of Worker Health & Safety, one of the nation’s only public health units focused on worker well-being, health and safety embedded within a local health department.
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates will host a free community education presentation on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. The topic will be "Discover Bird Mirgration at Bear Divide: A Hidden Hotspot."
Starting this spring, the LA County Parks will be offering a variety of new, free and paid programs for youth and families, ranging from sports clinics and nature exploration programs to aquatics and more. As part of this, there will be Spring Jubilee events April 10-19 throughout Los Angeles County. These will include performances, workshops, egg hunts, edible crafts, community activities and food tastings at your local LA County Park.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has promoted Captain Justin Diez, head of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, to the position of Commander of the LASD North Patrol Division.
If you ever wanted to add a furry friend to your life, now’s the time. The Castaic Animal Care and Control Center is offering a special pet adoption event this week.
The Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee unanimously has approved Senator Suzette Valladares’ (R-Santa Clarita) Senate Bill 508, which will provide patients with greater flexibility and more access to their established specialized care provider.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to establish a Unified Permitting Authority within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center.
Child & Family Center will host the Creative Harmony Workshop Series, a free community event designed to celebrate creativity, family and self-expression.
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