On September 1, the California State Senate voted on Senate Bill 328, a bill that would change the start time for middle and high schools throughout the state of California. The vote was 12 in favor, four against and one abstaining.

From that point, the bill was approved to move onto a second hearing. After the third hearing on September 14, the bill was rejected. However, Assembly Member Todd Gloria made a motion to reconsider the bill. The amendments made after the third reading now include an advisement for the State Department of Education to post research on the effects of sleep deprivation on teenage students.

Sleep deprivation is a serious issue that can be a leading cause behind poor grades, car accidents among teens, as well as increasing the likelihood of teens smoking, drug abuse, and teen pregnancy (eastbaytimes.com).

One of the major issues that was raised regarding this bill was the additional cost of more school busses and bus drivers. The Washington Post, however, released an article disputing that issue. According to their report, if this change was made across the country, the United States would save roughly $9 billion. That would be possible by moving the start times only as late at 8:30 a.m.. The money saved would mainly come from two sources; greater academic performance, which would lead to greater lifetime earnings, and a reduced rate of car crashes among adolescent drivers.

These economic benefits would be felt within years. If passed, this bill would still go into effect by July 1, 2020.