CA SB1421

Establishes the Office of Civil Rights within the California Department of Education to receive and investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools, including those based on homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia.

Transfers from the Department of Education to the Office of Civil Rights the responsibility for handling and deciding appeals and direct complaints related to discrimination and harassment under the Uniform Complaint Procedures.

Requires the Office of Civil Rights to develop procedures to optimize complaint reporting and response, track the frequency of discrimination and harassment incidents at local educational agencies, and provide recommendations to the department on investigations and follow-up actions.

Expands the Office of Civil Rights's authority to receive and investigate complaints relating to access to high-quality education, instruction, instructional materials, and other matters as determined independently by the department or State Board of Education.

References existing 60-day timelines for the Department of Education to issue written decisions on appeals and direct complaints, which now apply to the Office of Civil Rights as it assumes these duties.