Bill > SB472

This bill requires the California Department of Education to establish a Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program to support educational efforts around teaching about genocide and the Holocaust in schools serving grades 7-12. The bill mandates that the Superintendent of Public Instruction create a grant program that provides direct financial allocations to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to support Holocaust and genocide education. These grants can be used for various purposes, including purchasing instructional materials, hosting educational events, financing teacher professional development, covering transportation costs for related educational opportunities, and supporting staff time for planning educational programs. The bill also requires the department to issue a notice to local educational agencies clarifying that social science instruction should provide a foundation for understanding human rights issues, with specific attention to genocide, slavery, and the Holocaust. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury and provides clear definitions of "genocide" (based on the United Nations Convention) and "Holocaust" (drawing from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's description). The legislation aims to ensure comprehensive, age-appropriate education about these critical historical events and their broader human rights implications.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB472