SB 1479 (Pan) School COVID-19 Testing Bill
is signed into law

September 29, 2022 Update: SB 1479 School COVID-19 Testing Bill, introduced by Sen Richard Pan, was signed into law today by Governor Newsom.  From January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2025 each public school district, county office of education, and charter school will be required to create, and post on their website, a COVID-19 testing plan that is consistent with guidance from CDPH or adopt CDPH’s framework.  Note: It is the PLAN that is required, not testing.  However, if the CDPH guidance requires testing, then testing will be required of public school children, staff and teachers.  Another note: This is not required of private schools.  (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1479)

SB 1479 is one bill that A Voice for Choice Advocacy was hopeful Governor Newsom would veto, given it's significant fiscal impact, and the fact that the requirement is not in line with the most recently published CDC guidelines for schools. This law is unnecessary and while it was very much watered down with amendments throughout the legislative process, it sets precedence for more testing for other diseases in the future.

A Voice for Choice Advocacy gave key opposition testimony in committee on this bill and our legislative team worked hard to get legislators to vote against or abstain on this bill, and the Governor to veto the bill.  AVFCA is immensely thankful to other key organizations, specifically Reopen California Schools and Educate.Advocate, who lead and coordinated the opposition on this bill.  

Over the past 7 years, A Voice for Choice Advocacy has established itself as the leading legislative organization lobbying in the California Capitol for your health rights.  While A Voice for Choice Advocacy's lobbying activity in the Capitol is important, your positive constituent relationships with your CA State Senator and Assembly Member and their staff are critical to assisting with A Voice for Choice Advocacy's efforts in the Capitol. We thank you for all your activism this year!  

If you found this information helpful and appreciate the work A Voice for Choice Advocacy is doing, please support us by making a donation today.

Together we can make change happen!

C

Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org