EdLawConnect Blog

As the #MeToo Movement placed a glaring spotlight on the continuing problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, outgoing California Governor Jerry Brown signed several bills aimed at curbing harassment. All of them impact California employers, both public and private.

School districts are no longer authorized to grant permission to persons to carry firearms in school zones and on school campuses, closing a longstanding loophole under the California Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995 (Penal Code § 626.9). Now, with certain limited exceptions, no one is permitted to possess a firearm in a school zone or on a school campus

The New Law (SB 395)

Effective January 1, 2018, a California minor age 15 or under must consult with an attorney before he/she can give a confession to a law enforcement officer in a custodial setting which would be legally admissible in a court of law. (SB 395, Welfare and Institutions Code § 625.6.)  The consultation with the attorney can occur by phone or video conference.  Neither the minor nor the minor’s s ...

California has taken an important step in protecting students from being subjected to sexual misconduct by teachers. Recently, the California legislature enacted AB 872, which makes all sex offenses that require registration as a sex offender now also result in the immediate suspension of a teacher’s credential. The bill amends Education Code Section 44010 to add Penal Code Section 288.2, which relates ...

As of January 1, 2017, the California Public Records Act allows public agencies, including school districts to “direct[] a member of the public to the location on the Internet Web site where the public record is posted.” (Gov. Code, § 6253(f).) However, if the requesting party is unable to access or reproduce the online record, the agency must “promptly provide a copy of the public record.” ...

Starting July 1, 2017, educational institutions in California subject to Title IX must ensure their websites include the specific Title IX information set forth in Education Code section 221.61.  This law applies to schools, charter schools, school districts and County Offices of Education.  The required Title IX information includes: 1) the name and contact information of the institution’s Title IX ...

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits sex discrimination by any educational institution that receives federal funds.  Sex discrimination under Title IX includes sexual violence such as rape and sexual assault.  In order to address sexual violence and comply with Title IX, the federal government suggests that education institutions coordinate with local law enforcement to make ...

On May 2, 2017, the First District Court of Appeal issued an unpublished opinion in CTAN v. Mt. Diablo Unified School District, (see AALRR Alert) which specifically rejected the Davis v. Fresno lease-leaseback requirements of a “genuine” lease and contractor financing.   AALRR on behalf of the amici curiae Coalition for Adequate School Housing and the Association of California Construction Managers ...

In the past, the IDEA’s exhaustion requirement has been applied in various parts of the United States to routinely bar lawsuits for injunctive relieve and/or money damages against school districts and their employees for violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), when administrative due process procedures were ...

California’s SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) laws are intended to prevent litigation filed for the improper purpose of censoring, intimidating, or silencing critics. (Code of Civil Procedure § 425.16.)  A defendant in a lawsuit that may improperly silence his speech may file an “anti-SLAPP” motion in the case, designed to be an efficient and cost-effective defense against ...