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STATE CAPrrOL
RO.BOX 942849
SACRAMENTO,CA 94249-0001
(916)319-2024
FAX(916)319-2124

COMMITTEES:
EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
TOXIC MATERIALS
PUBLIC SAFETY, Vice-Chai

E-mail:Jim.Cunn8en@asm.ca.gov
DISTRICT OFFICE

901 CAMPISI WAY,SUITE 300
CAMPBELL,CA 95008
(408)369-8170
FAX(408)369-8174

JIM CUNNEEN
ASSEMBLYMEMBER,TWENTY-FOURTH DISTRICT

Representing the communities of. Campbell, Cupertino,

Los Altos, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Saratoga,and Sunnyvale

April 30, 1999

c

Honorable James Beall, Jr.§
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
70 West Redding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Dear Jim:

In the wake of the tragedy at Columbine High School, many

parents, teachers, and community leaders are questioning our

children's safety at public schools. The shooting rampage in
security programs in our schools. In light of the tragic events

Littleton, Colorado has forced all of us to take a second look at

in Colorado, it is imperative that the Legislature and local
school boards address this problem.

In an effort to address these concerns, the Assembly Public

Safety Committee held a special session to explore possible

options on dealing with school violence.

Also, the Education

committee will have a special legislative hearing on youth
violence and safety issues on May 19, 1999. Additionally, the
legislature is considering several bills focused on school and
gun safety. As you know, I have been a strong supporter of
commonsense gun control legislation.

Enclosed is a list of

some

measures on these issues.

Please be assured that as a member of the Assembly Education and
Public Safety Committees, I am deeply committed to securing the
safety of our children at school. I look forward to hearing your
thoughts on this very important issue.

JIM CUNNEEN

ASsemblymember
24th District
JC:nc

Printed on Recycled Paper

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School Safety Legislation
Regular Session

AB 32 (Scott); Prohibits the licensing authority and the Department of Justice from granting any new
firearms dealer license or firearms manufacturer license
to an applicant whose business premises are

located within 1,000 feet of any public or private school. Jim Cunneen cast the deciding vote to pass this
measure. Status: In Senate; pending committee assignment.

AB 235(Kuehl); Creates the California Youth Violence Prevention Authority within the Attorney
General’s Office. The Authority has duties and responsibilities related to the prevention of youth violence
mcluding the production of a statewide plan for the coordination of violence prevention programs by

January 1, 2001. Status: To be considered by Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 661 (Vmcent); Present law requires teachers to be notified if one oftheir pupils has engaged in or is
reasonably suspected to have engaged in specified acts that are grounds for suspension or expulsion. This
bill requires that notice to be given no matter where the acts occurred, i.e., they do not have to be

committed at school or at a school-related event. The bill also requires notice to be delivered in writing to
the teacher within 72 hours ofthe district receiving the information. Status: To be considered by Assemblv
Education Committee.

^

AB 1031 (Shelley); Provides funding for youth-to-youth peer programs in public schools Defines
purposes, imposes requirements on participating districts, restricts eligible activities, mandates an increase

m admmistrative personnel, and appropriates $30 million annually. Status: Past Assembly Education

Committee. Status: To be considered by Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 1587(Scott); This bill would make statewide response teams available to schools that have suffered
tragedy or trauma. The teams would include school psychologists, counselors, and mental health
professionals as well as law enforcement officers. Status: To be considered by Assembly Public Safety
Committee.
^

SB 15(Polanco); This bill would effectively ban the manufacture and sale ofjunk handguns(Saturday
Night Specials) in California by instituting minimum safety standards to ensure these firearms do not

accidentally discharge when dropped or misfire. Jim Cunneen has supported similar measures in the past.

In fact, he cast the deciding vote in support of a similar measure during the last Legislative Session. Status:
To be considered by Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 23(Perata); This bill would ban the rnanufacmre and sale of military-style assault weapons in

California. It would close a loophole in the state law that permits a manufacturer to build and sell virtual

replicas of assault weapons that are barred under existing state law. Jim Cunneen has supported similar
measures in the past. In fact, he cast the deciding vote in support of a similar measure during the last
Legislative Session. Stams: To be considered by Senate Appropriations Committee.

.AB 106(Scott/Aroner); This bill would require all handguns sold in California be equipped with childsafety locks. This measure was approved the Assembly Public Safety Committee with Jim Cunneen’s
support. Jim Cunneen has supported similar measures in the past. In fact, he cast the deciding vote in

support of a similar measure during the last Legislative Session. Status: To be considered by'the
Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Special Session

ABX 20(Maddox); Provides grants to school districts for more training for school security personnel

Stams: Not given consideration in Special Session.

a

ABX 21 (Zettel and Maddox); Expulsion of students caught with drags on campus. Status: Not given
consideration in Special Session.

ABX 22(Bob Pacheco); Allows the use of special funds for school security, and allowing school security
to patrol within a half-mile of schools(notjust on school campuses). Status: Not given consideration in
Special Session.

ABX 38(Dickerson); Increases penalties for violent and serious felonies committed against a teacher or
student at or near a school. Increased misdemeanor penalties by six months under the same circumstances.
Status: Not given consideration in Special Session.

Pending Legislative Ideas
Locally Targeted Safety Programs(Rod Pacheco); This legislation would earmark a portion of the state

funds from the state lottery for local school safety programs. These funds will be distributed on a per
capita basis and local school boards will have sole discretion on their distribution after a public meeting.
Violence Prevention Programs(Rod Pacheco); Funds from Proposition 10, now targeted for early
childhood development, will be earmarked for research in early identification of “at risk youth”.
Moreover, model prevention, intervention and violence prevention programs will be developed and
implemented based on this research.

Sentence Enhancements(Rod Pacheco); This legislation is designed to target low level violence up to
violent felonies against teachers and students. It will increase penalties and mandate jail time for
misdemeanors occurring on school grounds and create a sentence enhancement for the commission of
violent felonies against students and teachers on campus.

Death Penalty for School Site Murders(Rod Pacheco); This legislation will make it a capital offense to
intentionally kill a man, woman, or child on a kindergarten through n* grade school site. This will be an
addition to the list of special circumstances that do not currently provide this protection.

Direct Filing by District Attorneys(Rod Pacheco); For the commission of any murder or school grounds
by a juvenile. District Attorney’s will have the discretion to bypass juvenile court and file charges directly
in adult courts.

Disclosure of Juvenile Records to School Officials(Rod Pacheco); Currently, school officials do not

have notice nor access to confidential juvenile records, especially of violence. Consequently, they are
unable to take adequate precautions to protect their students. This legislation will allow school officials

access to juvenile records so they they may have notice of the students with whom they are dealing and
may take the necessary safety measures.