School employees: cultural competency training.

Assembly Member Gipson's cultural competency initiative would establish mandatory annual training for California K-12 school employees, creating a new online curriculum focused on supporting students of color across the state's public education system.

Under the proposal, the State Department of Education would develop an online training platform and curriculum by July 2027. Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools would provide at least one hour of annual training to all employees during paid work hours or designated professional development time. The training requirement would continue through the 2031-32 school year.

The bill includes provisions for tracking completion and compliance. Local educational agencies must maintain training records and provide completion documentation to employees. Teachers and certificated staff with valid English learner authorizations, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development certificates, or bilingual authorizations issued within the previous decade would be exempt. Employees may also satisfy the requirement by presenting proof of equivalent training completed at another district. The Department of Education would monitor compliance through existing annual program reviews and submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature within nine months of the 2031-32 school year.

The requirements would sunset on July 1, 2033, with full repeal scheduled for January 1, 2034. As a state-mandated local program, participating agencies would be eligible for cost reimbursement if the Commission on State Mandates determines the training creates additional expenses.