California school visitor management law

What does the California law require?

Outsiders may not enter or remain on public school grounds during school hours without registering with the principal or designee, except to go straight to the office to register. School hours for this rule run from one hour before classes begin until one hour after classes end. Signs must be posted at each entrance of every public school where the rule is in force, giving the registration hours and where the office is and how to get there. A registered sex offender who comes onto a school without lawful business and the dated written permission of the school's chief administrative official is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Who is covered?

The registration rules apply to public schools. Parents or guardians of students, and employees of the district, are not outsiders under the rule. A district governing board may exempt the district or any of its schools from the registration rules, or make exceptions for classes of outsiders.

Do visitors have to show ID?

To register, an outsider must, on request, give the principal or designee their name, address, occupation, age if under 21, purpose, and proof of identity. School staff must, as far as practicable, ask immigration-enforcement officers seeking entry to nonpublic areas for valid identification. School officials and employees must not let immigration-enforcement officers into a nonpublic area of a school without a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena or court order.

What about entrances and door locks?

Since July 1, 2011, new construction projects submitted to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) under this law must include locks that let doors to classrooms, and rooms holding 5 or more people, be locked from the inside. DSA says this applies to state-funded K-12 public school construction projects. Doors locked from the outside at all times, and student restrooms, are exempt. DSA's 2011 door-hardware guidance quotes the building-code rule that exit doors must open from the inside without a key or special knowledge or effort. A comprehensive school safety plan must include procedures for students, parents and school employees to enter and leave safely.