Charter schools: freedom of speech and of the press.

Existing law grants to public school pupils the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press, as specified. Existing law requires each governing board of a school district and each county board of education to adopt rules and regulations in the form of a written publications code that includes reasonable provisions for the time, place, and manner for conducting expressive activities within the agency's jurisdiction. Existing law also prohibits school districts operating one or more high schools and private secondary schools from making or enforcing a rule that subjects a high school pupil to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that is protected by specified provisions of the United States Constitution and the California Constitution. The Charter Schools Act of 1992 requires a charter school to comply with the act and all of the provisions of the school's charter, but provides that a charter school is otherwise exempt from the laws governing school districts, except for specified provisions. This bill would make those provisions regarding free speech and expressive activities applicable to charter schools. By requiring charter schools to perform additional duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.