CA SB1479

Requires the State Department of Public Health to coordinate COVID-19 testing programs in schools that are federally funded or organized under the California COVID-19 Testing Task Force, providing supportive services including technical assistance, vendor support, guidance, monitoring, and testing education.

Mandates each local educational agency (school district, county office of education, or charter school) to create a COVID-19 testing plan or adopt the State Department of Public Health's framework after consulting with their local health department, and publish the plan on their website.

Allows local educational agencies to designate one staff member to report testing program information to the State Department of Public Health, with website publication satisfying this reporting requirement.

Requires COVID-19 testing data to be in a format that allows simple reporting by parents and agencies to the State Department of Public Health or local health departments, and specifies that the State Department shall determine which COVID-19 tests are appropriate for use.

Implementation is contingent upon legislative appropriation and all provisions are set to expire and be repealed on January 1, 2026.