California School Boards Association

09/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2025 11:01

Joint CSAC / CSBA Statement on SB 577

Joint CSAC / CSBA Statement on SB 577<_sc3a_dot _xmlns3a_sc="http://www.sitecore.net/sc">

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2025By: Troy Flint, Chief Information Officer
Office: 916-669-3246

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2025) - The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) issued the following statement Tuesday on Senate Bill 577 (Laird):

We've seen what's happened to Los Angeles County and - just today - Santa Monica. So let's be clear: If Sen. Laird's critical amendments to SB 577 are blocked by special interests who'd rather protect exorbitant payouts to trial lawyers than core local services, your city, county or school district will be next.

The state must find a way to both ensure justice for survivors and preserve public safety, public education and the social safety net.

Background:

  • SB 577 would maintain substantial compensation for victims while providing safeguards to prevent insolvency in counties, schools and other public agencies facing an unprecedented wave of lawsuits and "nuclear verdicts" for claims dating back decades as a result of Assembly 218 (2024)
  • Read CSAC's letter of support for SB 577 as proposed to be amended on Sept. 9, 2025.
  • Even counties and school districts not involved in these claims are facing skyrocketing insurance costs that are paid directly from their general funds.

CSAC Contact: Ben Adler, Director of Public Affairs

Phone: (916) 879-3979 | Email: [email protected]

CSBA Contact: Troy Flint, Chief, Communications

Phone: (415) 902-8589 | Email: [email protected]

California School Boards Association published this content on September 09, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 10, 2025 at 17:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]