AB1943 (2026): Pupil Safety Notifications Regarding Firearms

What the Bill Does

Assembly Bill 1943 revises the annual notice that school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools provide to parents or guardians of each enrolled pupil about secure firearm storage^[1]. The notice must describe risks of children accessing unsecured firearms, provide secure storage resources, summarize California child access prevention and storage laws, and give the website address for the DOJ firearm safety device roster.

California schools already operate under mandatory reporting requirements for suspected child abuse (Penal Code 11164 and following, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act), and school threat assessment protocols are governed by Education Code provisions. AB1943 requires a notice titled "Secure Firearm Storage Notification"^[2].

Current Status

AB1943 passed the Assembly 71-0 on May 11, 2026. It cleared Senate Education 7-0 on June 3 and went to the Appropriations suspense file on June 15. It was approved and chaptered on September 26, 2026 as Chapter 459, Statutes of 2026. The act takes effect January 1, 2027. The Department of Education must develop model notice language in consultation with DOJ on or before July 1, 2027 and post that language beginning July 1, 2027.

What to Watch

California has student privacy protections under FERPA and Education Code sections 49060-49079. The notice must be provided annually in writing at the beginning of the first semester or quarter of the regular school term. The Department of Education must encourage local educational agencies to provide it when otherwise notifying families of disciplinary actions or supports related to threats against pupils or threats of self-harm. By July 1, 2027, the department must also include distribution of the notice in its armed assailant drill best practices.