Senate Bill 857 requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene an advisory task force, on or before January 1, 2024, to identify the needs of LGBTQ+ pupils and to make recommendations to assist in implementing supportive policies and initiatives to address LGBTQ+ pupil education and wellbeing. The bill identifies five specific subject matters the task force must addressed, including topics like mental health, inclusive access to facilities, and bullying.
The bill further identifies the composition of the task force, which, to the extent possible, shall represent the geographical, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, physical, and educational diversity of California’s LGBTQ+ community. The bill requires the Superintendent or their designee select the members of the task.
Finally, the bill provides the task force must report its finding and recommendations on or before January 1, 2026 to the Legislature, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Governor.
(SB 857 adds Section 219 to the Education Code.)