AB 1985: Student health: athletic coaches and trainers: mental health training.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions as the segments of postsecondary education in the state.

This bill, which would be known as Sarah Shulze’s Law, would require each campus of the California State University, each community college of a community college district, and each private postsecondary educational institution and independent institution of higher education that receives state financial assistance, and would request each campus of the University of California, to require a person who serves as a coach or trainer in an athletic program, as a condition of the person’s employment or volunteer service, to complete a student mental health training on or before July 1, 2028, and every 2 years thereafter. The bill would require the training, at a minimum, to cover suicide prevention education and would authorize the training to be provided by an entity that offers free, online, or other types of training courses. By imposing new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3 · Republican 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 912, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6803.).
5. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
7. August 25, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
8. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
10. August 13, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).
11. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
12. June 18, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.