School libraries: model library standards.

Budget Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Patel
Last action: 2025-08-29
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effectiveness is contingent upon state budget appropriations.

School Libraries: Model Library Standards

This law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with help from experts and public input, to review and update school library standards every eight years.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to consider recommending updates to school library service standards by July 1, 2028, and every eight years after that in consultation with the State Board of Education.
If updates are recommended, the Superintendent must convene a group of experts to assist in developing these revisions.
The Superintendent is required to hold at least two public hearings for people to give their opinions on the proposed changes.
Within 18 months of starting this process, the Superintendent must present revised standards to the State Board of Education for adoption, rejection, or modification.

Who It Names or Affects

Schools and libraries in California
The Superintendent of Public Instruction
The State Board of Education

Terms To Know

Superintendent of Public Instruction: A high-ranking official who oversees education policies and standards for public schools.
State Board of Education: An agency that sets educational guidelines and standards for California's public schools.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill will only take effect if the state budget includes funding for it.
It is not clear how often or in what ways school libraries currently follow these standards.

Bill History

2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-23 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 1. Page 1967.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-03-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 12).
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2025-01-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 21.
2025-01-21 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 279, as amended, Patel.
School libraries: model library standards.
Existing law requires the State Board of Education to adopt standards, rules, and regulations for school library services. Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, among other duties, to recommend the adoption of minimum standards for courses of study in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools to the state board upon request. Existing law requires the courses of study in public schools to conform to those minimum standards when adopted.
This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2028, and every 8 years thereafter, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the state board, to consider recommending revisions to the standards for school library services to the state board. The bill would require, if the Superintendent decides to recommend revisions, the Superintendent to convene a
group of experts to assist the Superintendent in developing the recommended revisions. The bill would require the Superintendent, in consultation with the Instructional Quality Commission, to hold a minimum of 2 public hearings in order for the public to provide input on the recommended revisions. The bill would require the Superintendent, within 18 months of convening the experts, to present to the state board the revised content standards for school library services, which the state board is required to adopt, reject, or modify, as provided. The operation of the bill would be subject to an appropriation being made for its purposes in the annual Budget Act or another statute.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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