The Senate Committee on Education stated in its commentary: “We presently find ourselves in a time where the realities of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. Extreme weather patterns, from scorching heat to freezing temperatures, relentless droughts to torrential rains and floods, are reshaping our lives in profound ways … It is our collective responsibility as a state and as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of our pupils by taking comprehensive action. This includes implementing statewide plans that prioritize preparedness and minimize exposure to the most harmful effects of climate change.”
SB 1248 focuses on ensuring that students are safely participating in any physical activity during “extreme weather conditions,” which is broadly defined to include occurrences of unusually severe weather conditions, including, but not limited to, periods of extreme heat, excessive precipitation and floods, that may pose significant harm to students. This bill requires LEAs, by July 1, 2026, to develop, adopt and implement protocols for extreme weather conditions. The protocols developed by LEAs are required to incorporate the standardized guidelines compiled by the California Department of Education (CDE) and detail the specific measures to be taken during extreme weather conditions.
- Clear criteria for determining when weather conditions are considered extreme and warrant modification or cessation of outdoor physical activities
- Procedures for monitoring weather forecasts and alerts to anticipate extreme weather conditions
- Protocols for communicating with staff, students and parents/guardians regarding changes to outdoor activities due to extreme weather conditions
- Designation of indoor, alternative activities that can be safely conducted during extreme weather conditions
- Staff training on recognizing signs of weather-related distress in students and appropriate response measures
- Coordination with relevant local agencies and experts to ensure timely access to weather-related information and resources
The CDE’s website also offers the following suggested best practices, which LEAs may choose to include:
- Consider air quality conditions when determining whether outdoor physical activity should be modified
- Maintain air quality index thresholds for reducing or discontinuing strenuous outdoor activities
- Have procedures for relocating activities indoors during periods of poor air quality or wildfire smoke
- Identify and maintain adequate mitigation resources, such as shade structures, hydrations stations and indoor cooling areas
- Provide equitable access to mitigation measures across school sites
- Plan for flexible scheduling to accommodate weather variability
The website also includes the California Department of Public Health’s Heat Risk Grid, which may be helpful to LEAs when monitoring heat risk. This grid provides guidance to related to what heat risk means, who is at risk and what actions can be taken.
SB 1248 requires the LEA superintendent or designee to annually review, evaluate and, if necessary, update the weather protocols to incorporate best practices, emerging concerns or challenges, and to reflect changes in weather patterns, advances in safety practices and feedback from stakeholders. As such, it will be helpful for governing boards to ensure staff are aware of these new requirements and of the need to schedule annual reviews to keep extreme weather protocols current.
In order to aid school boards in the development, adoption and implementation of weather protocols, CSBA developed sample Board Policy 5141.75 – Weather Safety, which expands on and replaces Board Policy 5141.7 – Sun Safety. This new policy reflects legal requirements and best practices for LEAs to protect students from the dangers of extreme weather, as well as the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
LEAs should be aware that SB 1248 does not apply to an interscholastic program administered by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Therefore, it is recommended that governing boards may also want to update Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 6145.2 – Athletic Competition based on CSBA’s sample to include state law and CIF guidelines related to heat illness.