Assembly Bill 452 (AB 452) requires public schools to provide a notice of California laws about child firearm access prevention and safe storage of firearms (Firearm Safety Notice) to the parents or guardians of each enrolled pupil annually, either at the beginning of the first semester or quarter of the regular school term, by specified means.
The content of the Firearms Safety Notice must be informed by the most current model language developed by the Department of Education (DOE) in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOE and DOJ are to develop the model Firearms Safety Notice on or before July 1, 2023 and will update the notice by July 1 of each year thereafter as necessary for any change in the law. The DOE will share the model Firearms Safety Notice with all public schools.
While K-12 private schools are not included in the requirements of AB 452, private schools may voluntarily elect to distribute the model Firearms Safety Notice to parents and guardians annually. AB 452 allows private schools to request a copy of the model Firearms Safety Notice from the DOE for distribution or potential distribution, and the DOE will provide it. Any K 12 private schools that choose to distribute the model Firearms Safety Notice to parents and guardians annually are also immune from civil liability for any damages allegedly caused by, arising out of, or relating to the model Firearms Safety Notice.
According to the Legislature, guns are the third leading cause of death for kids in America. The legislative intent behind AB 452 is to educate gun owners about firearm safety and California’s strong firearm safe storage laws to protect children from death and injury related to firearms, including from school shootings, suicide, and accidents.
AB 452 takes effect on January 1, 2023. Given the DOE will create the model Firearms Safety Notice on or before July 1, 2023, this means the model Firearms Safety Notice will be first distributed for the 2023-2024 school year.
(AB 452 adds Section 48986 to the Education Code.)