Pending Deadline to Comply with AB 2158 – Mandatory AB 1234 Ethics Training for School Board Officials
REMINDER: The deadline for compliance with Assembly Bill No. 2158 (“AB 2158”) is quickly approaching. Previously, members of school district governing boards, county boards of education, and charter school board members were exempt from mandatory ethics training requirements, commonly called “AB 1234 ethics training”. AB 2158 expanded these mandatory ethics training requirements to include K-12 public school officials beginning in 2025. The first compliance deadline for now-included local agency officials to complete the required training is January 1, 2026.
Overview
California has required ethics training compliance for “local agency officials” in cities, counties, and special districts for nearly 20 years. (See Government Code section 53234 et seq.) AB 2158 amended the definition of “local agency officials” to include school board members, county board of education members, charter school governing board members, and certain district personnel.
AB 2158 requires each local agency official who was in their position as of January 1, 2025, to receive ethics training before January 1, 2026. Any local agency official whose term expires in 2025 is exempt from the training requirement. After January 1, 2026, the training must be completed every two years (Gov. Code § 53235.1(b)(2)). This two-year timeline matches the requirements applicable to all other local agency officials.
The training covers conflicts of interest, open government, transparency, anti-nepotism, and similar obligations applicable to public servants. AB 2158 and AB 1234 are further reflections of California’s ongoing commitment to transparency, ethics in local government, and conflict-free decision-making in its elected and appointed officials.
Who Must Comply
AB 2158 requires ethics training for the following school officials:
- School district governing board members
- County board of education members
- Charter school governing board members
- Members of Brown Act bodies affiliated with the district, if any member of that body receives compensation or expense reimbursement for their services
- Designated school district employees as identified by the governing board
Even if not required, any public agency officials and staff may receive the ethics training to remain up-to-date on issues.
AB 2158 added statutory requirements for school districts related to ethics trainings. Districts must retain records of its officials’ completed trainings for a period of at least five years (Gov. Code § 53235.2). School districts must also provide information to its local agency officials regarding available trainings that meet AB 2158 requirements at least once a year (Gov. Code § 53235(f)).
Compliance Deadlines
Local agency officials are required to complete an approved ethics training course by January 1, 2026, and every two years thereafter.
- Any incumbent school district officials who were in office on January 1, 2025, must complete the mandatory ethics training no later than January 1, 2026. Incumbent officials whose term ends in 2025 are exempt from this requirement.
- Newly elected or appointed officials (including newly designated officials at the district’s discretion) must complete the mandatory ethics training within one year of assuming office.
Local agencies can contact BBK for guidance on AB 2158 and AB 1234 compliance, including assistance understanding their compliance duties and to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the expanded training requirements. BBK offers comprehensive training courses that meet California’s required ethics training standards for public agencies, fulfilling both AB 2158 and AB 1234 requirements. For more information and to register, click here.
Disclaimer: BBK Legal Alerts are not intended as legal advice. Additional facts, facts specific to your situation, or future developments may affect subjects contained herein. Seek the advice of an attorney before acting or relying upon any information herein.
