SB 596, introduced by State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Glendale), would expand an existing law that punishes those who cause “substantial disorder” in schools to include school board meetings as well. As the state legislative counsel’s digest explains:
This bill would specify, for purposes of the above-described offense, that “substantial disorder” includes substantial disorder at any meeting of the governing board of a school district, the governing body of a charter school, a county board of education, or the State Board of Education. The bill would define a “school employee” as any employee or official of a school district, a charter school, a county office of education, a county board of education, the state board, or the State Department of Education. To the extent the bill expands the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would also punish sending threatening emails to school board members, though it specifies: “Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of ‘credible threat.'” The penalty for violating the law would be up to a year in jail.
As the Daily Signal notes, the legislation has provoked concern among parents that it will violate their First Amendment rights: READ MORE