CHAPTER 5.7. CALIFORNIA BENCH TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE [99275. - 99277.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 5.7.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 99275. Section 99275.

(a) The California Bench to School Initiative is hereby established to create the California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education to promote a collaborative focus on neuroscience, law, education, and social justice to improve literacy outcomes in school settings for youth. (b) The institute shall include the Memory and Aging Center of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the UCSF/UC College Consortium on Law, Science, and Health Policy, and the UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning. The institute shall be charged with the development, implementation, and management of the initiative in collaboration and partnership with the Office of Youth and Community Restoration. (c) As used in this chapter: (1) “Initiative” means the California Bench to School Initiative established in subdivision (a). (2) “Institute” means the California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education created pursuant to subdivision (a). (3) “UC College” means the college named in Section 92200. (4) “UCSF” means the University of California, San Francisco. (5) “UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning” means the collaboration between the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University, managed by the University of California, Los Angeles.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 99276. Section 99276.

(a) The institute shall perform all of the following duties: (1) Provide comprehensive analysis of the overlap of science and society by expanding interdisciplinary research on the legal implications of new scientific knowledge in neuroscience. (2) Promote and conduct interdisciplinary research on socioeconomic factors, such as trauma, abuse, social exclusion, discrimination, poverty, homelessness, and neglect. (3) Develop interdisciplinary research protocols and approaches to expand the capacity of specialists in different fields to work together. (4) Provide an annual report to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, on the initiative’s programmatic objectives and budget expenditures. (5) Conduct longitudinal studies related to the success of teacher preparation and development, pupil interventions, and educational outcomes. (b) The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning shall develop curriculum, provide teacher training, professional development, and classroom interventions.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 99277. Section 99277.

(a) Upon receiving funding for purposes of this chapter, UCSF, the UC college named in Section 92200, and the UC/CSU California Collaborative on Neurodiversity and Learning shall each appoint one member from the respective institutions. This group shall be charged with the development and oversight of the initiative and shall function as the institute’s management committee. The management committee shall be permitted, but not obligated, to retain a program director to assist in the implementation of the initiative. (b) (1) An advisory board, with its title and members to be named by the institute, shall be established to serve as an oversight body for the initiative in order to monitor progress and provide leadership from the perspectives of their respective participating organizations, departments, and divisions and to facilitate collaboration among researchers, practitioners, administrators, legislators, and community stakeholders. (2) The advisory board shall provide expertise and support to the management committee. (3) The advisory board shall be a check on accountability to ensure that the initiative is meeting its goals. (4) The advisory board shall conduct a fiscal review of the distribution of funds to ensure alignment with the goals of the initiative. (5) The membership of the advisory board shall be constituted as set forth in subdivision (c). (c) The members of the advisory board shall be representatives from the following institutions, organizations, agencies, and groups: (1) UCSF. (2) UC college named in Section 92200. (3) The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Learning and Neurodiversity. (4) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. (5) A Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly. (6) A Senator selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate. (7) Community representatives, including formerly justice-involved persons and their family members, selected by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the President pro Tempore of the Senate. (d) (1) The advisory board shall meet twice per year, with the potential for additional working group meetings. (2) At each meeting, the advisory board shall participate in a review of reports, including updates on research, practice, and policy efforts, as well as fiscal reporting. (e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026