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AB 1653

Pupil instruction: health framework: heat illness.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Lackey

AB 1653 requires schools to integrate heat illness prevention and response into pupil health instruction and safety policies, with staff training and parent communications.

Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
#pupilinstruction #healthframework #heatillness
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Bill Summary · AB 1653

Summary of AB 1653 (2025-2026) – California

Overview

AB 1653 is a California Assembly bill focused on pupil instruction related to health, specifically establishing a framework for addressing heat illness in school settings. The bill is sponsored/co-sponsored by Assemblymember Tom Lackey. The legislative history indicates referral to committees on Education (ED) and later to Appointments, Public Puffix? (APPR) for policy and fiscal assessment, with amendments and a re-referral process in early 2026.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a formal health framework to address heat illness among students.
  • Ensure that pupil instruction and school policies incorporate awareness, prevention, recognition, and response to heat-related health incidents.
  • Provide guidance to schools to protect student health in hot conditions and during heat waves.

Key Provisions (as indicated by bill title and status)

Note: The provided material lists only the bill title and procedural actions; specific statutory text is not included. The following reflects the bill’s stated aim and typical components of such health framework legislation. Please refer to the official bill text for precise provisions.

  • Instructional Framework

    • Require development or adoption of instructional content related to heat illness prevention and response as part of pupil health education.
    • Integrate heat illness awareness into health education standards or related curriculum.

  • Prevention and Safety Measures

    • Potential requirements for schools to implement preventive practices during hot weather, such as hydration strategies, access to drinking water, outdoor activity adjustments, and shaded/cooling measures.
    • Guidance for staff training on recognizing signs of heat illness (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke) and appropriate emergency procedures.

  • Response Protocols

    • Establish procedures for responding to suspected heat illness, including when to seek medical attention and how to communicate with parents/guardians.
    • Protocols for modifying outdoor activities based on temperature or heat index thresholds.

  • Equity and Accessibility

    • Ensure that all students, including those with health conditions or disabilities, receive appropriate protections and accommodations during heat events.

  • Alignment and Oversight

    • Possible coordination with state health and education departments to align school health guidance with broader public health recommendations.
    • Deadlines or timelines for districts to implement instruction or policy changes.

Who Is Affected

  • Students: Primary beneficiaries through enhanced health education and protections against heat illness.
  • School Districts and Charter Schools: Responsible for implementing instructional content, safety protocols, and any required measures.
  • Teachers and School Staff: Must deliver health instruction and follow established heat illness response procedures.
  • Parents/Guardians: May be informed about school policies and student safety procedures related to heat illness.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • 2026-01-28: First reading and referral to the Committee on Education (ED).
  • 2026-01-29: Printed and may be heard in committee on February 28.
  • 2026-02-17: Referred to Committee on Education (ED).
  • 2026-03-18: Amendments approved in committee, “do pass as amended,” and re-referred to Committee on Appropriations (APPR).
  • 2026-03-23: Read second time and amended.
  • 2026-03-24: Re-referred to Committee on APPR.

Status Summary

  • The bill has advanced through the Education committee with amendments and a subsequent re-referral to the Appropriations committee, indicating ongoing consideration of fiscal implications.
  • Final policy text, fiscal impact, and potential implementation timelines will be clarified in the APPR stage and subsequent floor actions.

Practical Considerations

  • Schools should monitor for final language to determine exact instructional requirements, any mandated curricula, reporting obligations, and funding sources.
  • Local education agencies may need to develop or update heat illness prevention plans, staff training modules, and communication plans for hot-weather conditions.

If you’d like, I can pull the official bill text and provide a line-by-line synthesis of the provisions, including any specific thresholds (e.g., temperature/humidity triggers) or fiscal notes once those details are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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