Changes in Student and Curriculum Laws: Religious Fasting Accommodations and Menstrual Health Curriculum

This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. 

Among the many recent bills passed by the California Legislature and signed into law are two bills impacting students and curriculum: Assembly Bill (AB) 2377 and AB 2229. Both bills go into effect January 1, 2025.

AB 2377 – Religious Fasting Accommodation

AB 2377 adds section 51240.5 to the Education Code and requires any student from kindergarten through 12th grade who is participating in religious fasting to be granted an accommodation during any physical activity portions of a physical education (PE) class. To qualify for the accommodation, the parent or guardian of the student must submit to the school principal a written notification that the student is participating in religious fasting. If a student is 18 years of age, they may submit a written notification on their own accord.

The legislation recognizes that students observing religious fasting may find themselves struggling to meet a PE requirement. Since students must meet currently mandated instructional time for PE, students who receive the religious accommodation must be credited for instructional PE time upon completion of alternative assignments or activities.

AB 2229 – Menstrual Health Curriculum

AB 2229 supplements the existing California Healthy Youth Act by amending Education Code section 51931, which ensures that middle and high schoolers receive comprehensive sexual health education. The current curriculum requirements do not explicitly address menstrual health. AB 2229 recognizes the importance of and seeks to incorporate age-appropriate instruction and materials that teach students about the menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome and pain management, menstrual hygiene management, menstrual disorders, menstrual irregularities, menopause, menstrual stigma, and any other relevant topics related to the menstrual cycle.

Takeaways

These changes in the law will require updated policies and procedures. For AB 2377, schools will need to require and track religious fasting notifications and be prepared to offer alternative activities for accommodated fasting students. For AB 2229, schools will need to incorporate menstrual health instruction into their existing comprehensive sexual health education.

If you have any questions about these new laws, or to discuss student issues, instructional requirements, or curriculum requirements, please contact any attorney at one of Lozano Smith’s eight offices located statewide.