Bill Text & Info

What this bill does: AB 1653 would require the Instructional Quality Commission, during the next revision of the publication “Health Framework for California Public Schools,” to consider including, and recommending for adoption by SBE, specific content related to recognizing and responding to the signs and symptoms of heat illness.

Why it matters: As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves across California, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly serious threat to student health, safety, and learning. In fact, over 70% of fall 2025 weather-related school closures and disruptions were due to extreme heat. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, and many students spend significant time outdoors during the school day, during physical education, recess, lunch, athletics, and outdoor learning activities. Ensuring that students understand how to recognize and respond to the early signs of heat illness is a simple but critical step toward protecting their well-being.