Overview of SB 848

California SB 848 (Chaptered 2025) is the School Employee Misconduct: Child Abuse Prevention Act, signed into law to strengthen child safety standards in private and public schools.

Effective January 1, 2026, it mandates expanded employment history checks for misconduct, broader definitions of mandated reporters, and updated training requirements. 

At Mountain View School District (MVSD), we are committed to implementing the necessary policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with SB 848.

Key aspects of SB 848 include:

• Expanded Mandated Reporters: Includes all school employees, volunteers (as defined in Penal Code section 11165.7), contractors, and board members.
• Hiring/Misconduct Reporting (Jan 1, 2026): Former employers must release employment records regarding "egregious misconduct" of noncertificated (classified) employees, expanding existing requirements to include private schools.
• Training and Policies (July 1, 2026): Schools must provide annual training on mandated reporting, abuse prevention, and professional boundaries, and adopt written policies for safe, supervised environments.
• Volunteers: Mandated reporters must submit proof of training within six weeks of service and annually. 
• Reproductive Loss Leave (Separate SB 848 - 2024):

Note: A different, earlier bill (SB 848 from 2023, effective January 1, 2024) requires employers with 5+ employees to provide up to 5 days of leave for reproductive loss events, such as failed adoption, surrogacy, or miscarriage. 

For the 2025 Pupil Safety Act, do you need details regarding private school compliance, mandated reporter training requirements, or background check procedures?