Legislation to end concealed weapons on school campuses without permission has moved from the state Senate to the Assembly after it was passed out of committee this week.

The bill, SB 707, is part of a package of proposals put forth by state Sen. Lois Wolk covering water use, and reimbursement for Medi-Cal.

The concealed weapons bill is designed to limit firearms on school and college campuses without the permission of campus authorities. It passed the Senate on a 32-12 vote and now moves on to the state Assembly.

“Earlier this year I was surprised to learn that California law allowed concealed firearms on any campus, especially on an elementary school campus,” said Wolk, D-Davis.

The bill was amended earlier to allow retired police officers to continue to carry a concealed firearm on campus, eliminating major opposition from police groups.

“SB 707 places control over campus safety issues where it ought to be: with campus governing entities and their POST certified police agencies, rather than giving an unqualified right for persons with concealed weapons permits to have unfettered campus access,” wrote Randy Burba, president of the California College and University Police Chiefs Association, sponsors of the legislation.

The Senate also signed off on Wolk’s Water Package of three bills, which she says are centered on efficiency and equity. These measures encompass an effort to improve water management, combat the effects of the drought and climate change, while also conserving supplies.

In brief, SB 555 is a measure that reduces the water loss from leaks and breaks in urban water suppliers’ distribution systems by requiring them to conduct annual water loss audits, passed with a vote of 33-2.

SB 552, meanwhile, directs the state Water Resources Control Board to develop specific strategies for addressing drinking water needs in disadvantaged communities. It was passed on a vote of 29-5.

The third measure in the water package, SB 551, targets water and energy efficiencies. It was passed 29-5.

“Water and energy are inextricably linked in California. Energy generation demands water, and water treatment and delivery requires significant amounts of energy,” Wolk said. “As climate change and our growing population put ever more strain on these scarce resources, we must make every effort to ensure these resources are used efficiently and that our policies recognize the interconnected nature of water and energy.”

Finally, Wolk also was able to pass on a 37-0 vote, SB 276 which allows school districts to receive reimbursement for all services provided to all Medi-Cal eligible students.

The measure includes school nursing services, mental health and counseling services, and physical therapy and speech therapy services.

“Children don’t park their chronic diseases outside the school doors. If they have asthma outside school, they have asthma inside school. This is one of the leading causes of school absences,” Wolk said. “Increasing the support services, such as school nurses, for California school districts will positively affect attendance, graduation rates and academic performance.”

With the revised guidance from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in December 2014, school districts are now able to seek reimbursement for all health care provided to all students eligible for Medi-Cal.

Medically necessary services will be provided to children in both regular and special education.

SB 276 will next be heard in the Assembly Health Committee.