If state funds are used for a public building or facility or local funds are used for a school or community college building or facility, including a school playground, existing law prohibits a contract from being awarded until the Department of General Services issues a written approval stating that the plans and specifications comply with the intent of provisions governing access to public buildings by physically handicapped persons, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Existing law establishes various state grant and funding programs administered by the State Department of Education that may be used for school facilities and related improvements, including school playgrounds.

This bill would establish within the department a 9-member Inclusive School Playground Advisory Committee to, among other duties, on or before January 1, 2028, coordinate with the department to develop and publish model guidelines for inclusive school playgrounds, as provided. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2027, to identify any grant programs within the department that fund school playgrounds and amend guidelines for those grant programs to prioritize proposed projects that meet the model guidelines. The bill would require the department to collaborate with other state agencies to encourage funding mechanisms for other playgrounds to similarly incentivize projects that meet the model guidelines. The bill would require the committee, or before January 1, 2028, and every 5 years thereafter, to submit a report to the Legislature on inclusive school playgrounds that includes, but is not limited to, recommendations on resource allocation. The bill would also require the department to support the implementation of the bill with existing funding allowable for these purposes or through grant funding.