Pedestrian safety: school zones: speed limits.

All operative and sunset dates changed from January 1, 2029 to January 1, 2031. This affects: (1) the date when local authorities must have adopted 20 mph school zone limits before the state mandate kicks in, (2) the repeal date of the existing Section 22352, and (3) the operative date of the new Section 22352.

The definition of 'children are present' in the new Section 22352 was narrowed. The old version applied whenever one or more children were on a roadway, sidewalk, pathway, or road shoulder within the marked school zone regardless of schooldays or hours, plus additional descriptive language about children being in front of buildings, on adjacent grounds, etc. The new version limits it to only two conditions: (i) children are going to or leaving the school, or (ii) school grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard SCHOOL warning sign. The exclusion for children separated by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier remains unchanged.

Header changed from enrolled bill format (with Assembly/Senate passage dates and clerk signatures) to chaptered format with 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL,' Chapter 555 designation, and governor approval date of October 10, 2025.

Page numbers changed from 94 to 93 and page markers changed from 'AB 382' to 'Ch. 555' throughout the document.

The bill now explicitly sunsets the current Section 22352 (which sets a 25 mph school zone speed limit) on January 1, 2029, and adds a new Section 22352 with the 20 mph school zone provision that becomes operative on January 1, 2029. The Assembly version's structure was ambiguous about when the 20 mph limit would take effect.

The short title/description was corrected to remove duplicate references to Section 22352 and fix a doubled 'of of' typo.

Stray section numbers ('SEC. 2.' and 'SEC. 3.') that appeared as artifacts in the Assembly version were removed, and sections are now cleanly numbered sequentially from SEC. 1 through SEC. 6.

The date by which local authorities must adopt 20 mph school zone speed limits before the state-mandated limit automatically takes effect was changed from January 1, 2029 to January 1, 2031. This appears in three places: the sunset date for the existing Section 22352 (amended), the operative date for the new Section 22352 (added), and the sunset date for new Section 22352.5.

A phased implementation structure was created: from enactment until January 1, 2029, local authorities may voluntarily adopt 20 mph school zone speed limits by ordinance or resolution (new Section 22352.5). Beginning January 1, 2029, the 20 mph prima facie speed limit in school zones becomes automatic under a new version of Section 22352.

New Section 22352.5 authorizes local authorities to determine and declare a 20 mph prima facie speed limit in a school zone, effective until January 1, 2029 when it is repealed.

The provision stating the Legislature's intent to enact future legislation improving pedestrian safety in school zones was removed.

Section 22358.4 was narrowed: the survey-based provision now only allows local authorities to set a 15 mph limit (previously 20 or 15 mph). The conditions for the 15 mph limit were simplified - it no longer requires that children be actively going to or leaving school, but simply applies 'in a school zone.'

The speed trap definition in Section 40802 now references the Section 22352 definition of 'school zone' rather than maintaining its own separate definition, and adds Section 22358.4 to the list of provisions exempt from the speed trap definition.

The fiscal committee vote changed from 'no' to 'yes' and the state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now carries recognized state-mandated costs requiring reimbursement analysis.

Establishes a 20 mph prima facie speed limit in school zones when: (1) a sign with flashing beacons states 'speed limit 20 when flashing,' (2) a sign states 'children are present' and children are actually present, or (3) a sign states specific hours determined by the local jurisdiction.

Authorizes local authorities to set a 15 mph prima facie speed limit in residence districts on highways with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or slower when approaching within 500 feet of or passing a school, and a 25 mph limit at 500 to 1,000 feet from a school. These apply only to highways with a maximum of two traffic lanes and a maximum posted prima facie speed limit of 30 mph immediately before and after the school zone.

Defines 'school zone' as an area of highway within 500 feet of school grounds in any direction, unless otherwise posted. Defines 'children are present' as one or more children on a roadway, sidewalk, pathway, or road shoulder within the marked school zone, regardless of school days or hours, but excludes children separated by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier.

Updates the 'speed trap' definition in Vehicle Code Section 40802 so that 'school zone' has the same meaning as defined in the new Section 22352, conforming enforcement protections to the expanded school zone definition.

Adds a state mandates reimbursement provision requiring the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the bill if the Commission on State Mandates determines such costs exist.

The bill's scope expanded from a single intent statement to amendments of three Vehicle Code sections (22352, 22358.4, and 40802), creating binding speed limits, new local authority powers, and updated enforcement definitions.