California Lawmakers Seek to Implement Regular School COVID-19 Testing Plan

A boy receives a free COVID-19 test at a St. John’s Well Child & Family Center mobile clinic set up outside Walker Temple AME Church in South Los Angeles amid the coronavirus pandemic in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 15, 2020. Mario Tama/Getty Images

SACRAMENTO—California could potentially pass legislation that will require all schools to create a COVID-19 testing plan to prevent case surges and school closures.

Senate Bill 1479, introduced by Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), advanced to the state assembly Education Committee following a March 31 Health Committee meeting, where the bill passed in a 9–2 vote.