Updated August 29, 2024
Bill: AB 1864: Pesticide Restrictions Near Private Schools
Author(s): Assembly Members Connolly and Addis
Position: Not Currently in Active Opposition – Continuing to Monitor
Current Status: Engrossing and Enrollment
| Family Protection Ministries frequently works with the state legislators to change the wording of bills in order to protect the rights of homeschooling families and parental rights. AB 1864 was one of these bills. When this bill was first introduced, the pesticide regulations would have applied to all homes where private homeschools are held. FPM was concerned that every home address would be available to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. However, after promptly submitting a language change to the authors’ offices, the bill was amended to exclude schools conducted in homes and only applies to private schools with more than 6 children. Then, it continued through its “life cycle” of amendments and committee assignments. FPM also worked directly with the California Department of Education to ensure that the currently existing online directory would be used instead of a new system for private school addresses. AB 1864 is currently in Engrossing and Enrollment. Next step – the Governor’s desk! Below is an easy-to-read timeline of this bill’s history. |
Timeline
January 2024
AB 1864 Introduced
Introduced with concerning wording and FPM immediately took action
Initially, this bill would have required the State of California to provide all the addresses of homeschooling families to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Original Wording:
“additionally apply those provisions to private schools serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive”
March 2024
Language Change Submitted
FPM promptly submitted a language change to the authors’ offices. The suggestions were received, and the bill was amended. FPM’s initial concern was no longer a major threat.
New Wording:
“additionally apply those provisions to private schools serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive. inclusive, with an enrollment of six or more pupils.
13189.4. This article does not apply to a school conducted in a person’s residence.”
April 2024
Amended in Assembly and Re-referred to Committees
Additional Wording:
“On January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the State Department of Education shall provide the department and the commissioner of each county with information available to the State Department of Education regarding the location of private schools serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, with an enrollment of six or more pupils.”
May 2024
Amended
Amended to include a list of specific pesticides. Read three times. Passed the Assembly and ordered to the Senate.
June 2024
Amended
Amended twice in the Senate.
July 2024
State Legislator Summer Recess
September 2024
Amended
After FPM worked directly with the California Department of Education, this bill was once again amended and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
New Wording:
“On January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the State Department of Education shall provide the department and the commissioner of each county with information available to the State Department of Education regarding the location of private schools serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, with an enrollment of six or more pupils.“
“The department and the county agricultural commissioners shall use private school directory information and maps available on the internet website of the State Department of Education to determine the location of private schools serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, with an enrollment of six or more pupils.“