Senate committee advances bill to create state guidance for K-8 health education

AB 86, a bill to standardize optional health-education instructional materials for grades K–8, was advanced out of the Senate Education Committee on a bipartisan vote and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Assemblymember (author) introduced AB 86 and said the State Board of Education previously scheduled adoption of health-education instructional materials in 2020 but later canceled that adoption for lack of publisher interest. The author told the committee that in the absence of state adoption, “many teachers resort to utilizing nonstandard online resources, which potentially lack accuracy and place the burden on our educators.”

The bill would require the State Board of Education to adopt a framework that districts could use as optional guidance so teachers have age-appropriate materials on subjects including bullying, relationship violence and affirmative consent. Testimony in support came from a San Diego Unified representative who spoke briefly at the railing in favor.

Committee members asked whether the materials would be optional and how the public process would work. The author and witnesses stressed the guidance would remain optional for districts, with local review and public input where districts choose to use the materials. Assemblymember/author closed by asking for an “I” vote; the committee voted to pass AB 86 to the Senate Appropriations Committee and put the bill on call.

The bill’s supporters said the framework would increase transparency and ensure districts that adopt the guidance can do so through a public process. Opponents did not appear in the hearing record. The committee discussion focused on the optional nature of the guidance and the need for age-appropriate materials.

AB 86 will next be considered in the Senate Appropriations Committee.