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Last week, both the Senate and Assembly Education committees dispensed with their first hearings to consider newly introduced bills in 2024. Altogether, the two committees heard over 45 bills. We wanted to highlight a few of the major bills that passed and will now move on to the next steps in the legislative process. You can also find a list of all the actions taken by the committees here.
Bill to Extend FAFSA Deadline Passes, is Immediately Signed by the Governor
As the federal government continues rolling out the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, there remain delays in the ability of students to access and file the revamped application. AB 1887, authored by Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes (D-Inland Empire), extended the deadline for California students to complete and submit the FAFSA application for all programs administered by the California Student Aid Commission by one month, from April 2, 2024, to May 2, 2024.
Passing 7-0 with widespread, unanimous support, the bill has already gone to the Governor’s desk and, on Monday, was signed into law. Being an urgency statute, the extension of the filing deadline has taken effect immediately and students in California now have until May 2, 2024 to file their FAFSA applications.
Interior Door Locks on all Doors in Schools would be Required under new Bill
Assembly Member Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) has introduced AB 2565. The bill would require a local educational agency (LEA) to, when it next undertakes a project to build a new school facility or building, or to renovate, repair, modernize, or otherwise alter an existing school facility or building for any purpose, to install interior locks on each door in that school facility or building.
You may recall several attempts over the past decade to require similar provisions for door locks in school facilities. However, prior attempts were held in Appropriations committees due largely to cost concerns. This year’s bill passed the Assembly Education Committee on a 6-0 vote, but it remains to be seen if this version has any better shot of ultimate passage given the current fiscal climate for the state.
Bill to Require Condoms in High Schools Returns
Last year, Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), carried legislation to mandate condoms be available in all high schools in California. That bill, SB 541, made it all the way to the Governor’s desk, but was vetoed. In vetoing the bill, the Governor noted:
“… While evidence-based strategies, like increasing access to condoms, are important to supporting improved adolescent sexual health, this bill would create an unfunded mandate to public schools that should be considered in the annual budget process.”
This year’s version, SB 954, is nearly identical to last year’s version. Republican Senator and Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (Yucaipa), raised concerns and had several questions about the bill, voting ‘no’ on the measure. However, the bill ultimately secured passage on a partisan, 5-2 vote. It now heads to the Senate Health Committee where it will likely receive a similarly warm reception from Democratic members. Where the bill may run into speed bumps is when its cost implications are considered by the Appropriations committees – particularly with the state staring down such a large budgetary deficit.
What’s next?
The Legislature is currently on Spring Recess, but will return Monday, April 1 to continue its work in earnest. Policy committees will resume working on the hundreds of bills pending before them, and we anticipate both houses to vote on, and pass, early budget actions to try to shrink the looming budget deficit. (Last week, the Governor and both Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) announced they had reached agreement to take early budget action to ‘shrink the deficit’.)
We will continue to keep you up to date on the major bills that could impact California’s schools, as well as any new developments on the state budget. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Cheers,
Nick
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