California school teachers, administrators, volunteers, and staff have a new child abuse prevention training requirement. Here’s what you need to know if you work or volunteer at a California school:
- CA AB 1913 and SB 848 are two bills aimed at preventing child abuse, including sexual abuse, from happening on school grounds, by school staff or volunteers, or in school-sponsored programs.
- CA school personnel already have annual mandated reporter training requirements to help them recognize and report child abuse and neglect.
- This new training requirement is supplemental to existing mandated reporter training, focusing on preventing abuse/ sexual abuse in school environments.
What is California AB 1913?
California Assembly Bill 1913 (AB 1913) passed in 2024 and took effect in 2025. It established additional training requirements for school teachers, administrators, and staff on child abuse prevention.
What is California SB 848?
California Senate Bill 848 (SB 848) took effect in 2026. Among other provisions to protect student safety, SB 848 broadens mandated reporter coverage to include teachers and all school employees, collectively known as “school personnel”, as well as volunteers, contractors, and board members who interact with students. It requires annual mandated reporter training and annual abuse prevention training for all school personnel and volunteers.
Both AB 1913 and SB 848 aim to prevent the abuse, including sexual abuse, of children on school grounds, by school personnel or volunteers, or in school-sponsored programs.
California AB 1913/ SB 848 Training vs. Mandated Reporter Training
California educators, school personnel, and school volunteers are required to complete annual training, including mandated reporter and abuse prevention training.
School teachers and staff must take mandated reporter training within the first six weeks of each school year.
Mandated Reporter Training
Mandated Reporter Training of Child Abuse and Neglect satisfies the annual mandated reporter training requirements originally created by CA AB 1432. It helps school personnel understand their role in preventing child abuse and neglect, how to identify different types of abuse and neglect, and the laws and procedures for reporting suspicions of abuse.
Child Abuse Prevention Training
Child Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers (AB 1913/ SB 848 training) is an additional training requirement. Abuse Prevention training focuses specifically on preventing abuse, including grooming and sexual abuse, in school environments or in school-sponsored programs.
Abuse Prevention Training does not replace the existing mandated reporter training requirement, which helps educators and school staff understand their roles and responsibilities as mandated reporters.
Takeaway: CA teachers, school staff, and school volunteers must now take Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers in addition to mandated reporter training.
What Does AB 1913/ SB 848 Training Include?
Child Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers includes information and best practices to prevent abuse, including sexual abuse, of children, on school grounds, by school personnel or volunteers, or in school-sponsored programs.
Child Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel will help you learn:
- Preventing Abuse in School Settings
- Recognizing Grooming Behaviors
- What to Do When You Suspect Grooming or Abuse
- Key responsibilities of school personnel and volunteers under Education Code § 44691, as amended by AB 1913 and SB 848
- Identify professional boundaries that help prevent abuse
- Understand the meaning of “reasonable suspicion”
- Take appropriate action when abuse is suspected
- Apply school policies that protect students
- Promote a culture of safety in school settings
How Common is Abuse in Schools?
Multiple studies converge around roughly 1 in 10 students experiencing some form of educator sexual misconduct during K–12, most commonly sexual comments or boundary-violating behaviors, not just criminal offenses.
Measured grooming-type behaviors, such as special attention and gifts from staff, are not rare and often precede more serious harm.
Abuse Prevention Training can help educators better protect students by equipping them to recognize and address problematic behaviors in the school setting.
Who Has to Take Abuse Prevention Training?
All employees, including teachers, aides, administrators, and other staff of local education agencies (LEAs) and diagnostic centers, are required to complete AB 1913/ SB 848 training. The law also includes “persons working on behalf” of an LEA, such as contractors, coaches, substitute teachers, and student teachers.
Do AB 1913/ SB 848 Training Requirements Include Charter Schools?
AB 1913/ SB 848 requirements apply to all school districts, county offices of education, state special schools and diagnostic centers, public schools, and charter schools.
Does Abuse Prevention Training Apply to After-School Programs, Field Trips, and Athletics?
AB 1913 and SB 848 apply to school-sponsored programs and programs that occur on school grounds, including after-school programs, field trips, and athletics programs.
Can Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers Be Completed Online?
Educators and school staff can fulfill their training requirements with an approved online course, such as the Child Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers, available on the Mandated Reporter Training platform.
This online training takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is offered for free at the Mandated Reporter Training platform.
What Proof of Completion is Needed for AB 1913/ SB 848 Training?
After completing the 30-minute training and passing the exam, the Mandated Reporter Training platform issues a Certificate of Completion for teachers, school staff, and volunteers. This certificate can be shared with school administrators, licensing boards, and school districts.
Meet your new school staff and volunteer training requirements by taking Child Abuse Prevention Training for School Personnel and Volunteers at the Mandated Reporter Training platform.
