JUNE 16, 2009 -    Relative to public education and discrimination-free zones.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

   ACR 82, as amended, Hall. Public education: "Discrimination Free Zones."  This measure would encourage public education institutions to designate each campus as a "Discrimination-Free Zone" to provide a safe haven from intolerance or discrimination, to enact appropriate procedures that meaningfully address acts of discrimination that
occur on campus, to notify parents and the campus community of existing policies and procedures that encourage tolerance of others, and to use existing resources to identify themselves as "Discrimination-Free Zones" to create a campus climate that welcomes diversity and supports the tolerance of others.
   Fiscal committee: no.

   WHEREAS, California has the largest public school system in the nation, prekindergarten through university, which is key in addressing California's infrastructure and economic needs, and represents a state that honors and respects the diversity of its citizens; and
   WHEREAS, California's public educators encourage inclusiveness among the students they educate, and serve the needs of a diverse student body that reflects the diversity of the state; and
   WHEREAS, That diversity reflects the racial, cultural, religious, disability, gender, gender identity, economic circumstance, and sexual orientation of its citizens seeking access to California's public education; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature condemns all acts of discrimination, intolerance, and hate aimed at individuals that reflect the state's diversity; and
   WHEREAS, Although the state has enacted numerous laws to oppose acts of discrimination, intolerance continues to pervade many of our public schools and colleges; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature is committed to upholding fundamental and inalienable rights, including the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and privacy; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved, by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof, concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby encourages all public education institutions, working with students, teachers, faculty, and other members of the public education community, to designate each campus as a "Discrimination-Free Zone" to provide a safe haven from intolerance or discrimination; and be it further
   Resolved, That all public education institutions, prekindergarten
through university campuses, are encouraged to develop and enact
policies that support tolerance and acceptance of others regardless of their race or ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code; and be it further
   Resolved, That all public education institutions are encouraged to enact procedures, such as counseling services and conflict management, that meaningfully address acts of discrimination that occur on campus; and be it further
   Resolved, That  all public education institutions are encouraged to notify  parents and the campus community should be notified  of existing policies and procedures thatencourage tolerance of others; and be it further
   Resolved, That all public education institutions are encouraged to use existing resources to identify themselves as "Discrimination-Free Zones" through placards, signs, notices of available services, and other appropriate identifications to create a campus climate that welcomes diversity and supports the tolerance of others...

http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/acr_82_bill_20100406_amended_sen_v96.html