CA AB1837

Establishes a State Assistance for Emergency Response Team (SAFER) in the California Department of Education to provide guidance and support to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools during emergencies.

SAFER shall address emergencies including events listed in Education Code Section 46392, public safety power shutoffs, threats or acts of violence, mental health crises including suicide clusters, and other emergencies determined by the Superintendent.

SAFER team shall include department staff covering assessment, fiscal services, human resources, technology, facilities, special education, nutrition services, school health, and other emergency-affected matters.

SAFER duties include serving as a liaison between the Superintendent and local educational agencies, providing crisis response guidance (facility closure/reopening, cleaning protocols, health and safety measures), expediting attendance allowance requests during emergencies, and coordinating with the State Department of Public Health and federal, state, and local agencies.

Requires the Superintendent to schedule a telephone or video conference call with affected superintendents and administrators within 72 hours of a state of emergency proclamation and mandates SAFER to submit an annual report by June 30 to the Superintendent and education committees of the Legislature.