SB 328/Late School Start Time Bill Passes Senate Education Committee

Sacramento, California – Today, SB 328, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) has passed the Senate Education Committee.

SB 328 is based on three decades of scientific research and follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control which encourages middle and high schools to start time no earlier than 8:30 am.  Studies have confirmed that insufficient sleep in teenage adolescents poses a public health risk and later start time has resulted in more on-time attenance, higher grades and graduation rates.

“It was a great morning for our kids and I am excited that SB 328 has passed its first test today.  The science is clear that later start times improves the health and welfare of our children.  Schools across the country that have moved their start time have seen their children be health and thrive.  California should do the same for all our children’s benefit,” commented Senator Portantino

SB 328's principle co-authors include Assemblymembers Ian Calderon (D-Long Beach) and  Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) and  is co-authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

“We thank the committee for recognizing that we can and must solve this problem of sleep-prohibitive school start times for our adolescent students.” Joy Wake Founder of the High School Parent Engagement Group

“When we work in the best interest of our children and trust the science, we make great decisions. We appreciate the thoughtful debate and are glad the health of our kids came first today” Anne Del Core- Start School Later Sacramento

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