AB 1659: Juvenile court school pupils: joint transition planning policy: courses of study.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-09-27
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-09-27: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 538, Statutes of 2026.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires the school district or charter school that will enroll a student coming from a juvenile court school to assign a staff member as the point person for transition liaison and to work year‑round with county education and probation staff to ensure timely transfer of records, enrollment, course placement, and transition plans. It also makes county offices and local agencies set up joint confidential procedures for transferring education records and requires the transferring agency to issue an official transcript showing full and partial credits within two business days, which the new school must accept.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member, and other personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided. Existing law requires, for a pupil in foster care, upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency to deliver the official transcript to the next educational placement within 2 business days, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 2 business days, as provided.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(4)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by SB 685 to be operative only if this bill and SB 685 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member, and other personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided. Existing law requires, for a pupil in foster care, upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency to deliver the official transcript to the next educational placement within 2 business days, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 2 business days, as provided.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(4)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by SB 685 to be operative only if this bill and SB 685 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member, and other personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided. Existing law requires, for a pupil in foster care, upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency to deliver the official transcript to the next educational placement within 2 business days, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 2 business days, as provided.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(4)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by SB 685 to be operative only if this bill and SB 685 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of the that school district or charter school to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member, and other school district personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the individual pupil, to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district transition liaison personnel. or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided. Existing law requires, for a pupil in foster care, upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency to deliver the official transcript to the next educational placement within 2 business days, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 2 business days, as provided.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community to assign transition liaison responsibilities to a school district staff member, member of the school district to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member member, and other school district personnel as needed to serve the individual pupil, to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district transition liaison personnel.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided. Existing law requires, for a pupil in foster care, upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency to deliver the official transcript to the next educational placement within 2 business days, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 20 school days from the date of the pupils transfer. The bill would prohibit partial credits for one course from equaling more than the number of credits the pupil would receive for completing the whole course at one location. within 2 business days, as provided.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law requires a county office of education and county probation department to have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to coordinate education and services for youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system. Existing law requires, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the county office of education to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies to ensure that specified transition activities are completed for the pupil.
This bill would require, as part of the joint transition planning policy, the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community to assign transition liaison responsibilities to a school district staff member, and notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the members name and contact information. The bill would also require that staff member to work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure that the transition activities noted above are completed for the pupil.
Existing law requires, for pupils detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, to be made available by the county office of education to the pupil upon the pupils release.
This bill would additionally require that pupils individualized learning plan to be made available to the pupils school district transition liaison personnel.
Existing law requires the county office of education, in collaboration with the county probation department, to establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the county office of education to collaborate with relevant local educational agencies to establish those procedures.
(2)Existing law requires local educational agencies to issue full or partial credit on an official transcript for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, as provided.
This bill would require the transferring local educational agency to issue that official transcript within 20 school days from the date of the pupils transfer. The bill would prohibit partial credits for one course from equaling more than the number of credits the pupil would receive for completing the whole course at one location.
By imposing additional requirements on local educational entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling shall assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities. The school district or charter school shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The staff member, and other existing personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities upon the pupils release, if possible.
(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 3.5.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Nonpublic school has the same meaning as defined in Section 56034.
(5)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(6)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(7)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(8)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(9)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 685. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 51225.2 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 685, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 5.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling shall assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities. The school district or charter school shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The staff member, and other existing personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities upon the pupils release, if possible.
(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 3.5.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Nonpublic school has the same meaning as defined in Section 56034.
(5)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(6)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(7)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(8)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(9)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 685. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 51225.2 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 685, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 5.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling shall assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities. The school district or charter school shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The staff member, and other existing personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities upon the pupils release, if possible.
(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 3.5.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Nonpublic school has the same meaning as defined in Section 56034.
(4)(5)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)(6)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)(7)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)(8)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)(9)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 685. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 51225.2 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 685, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 4.SEC. 5.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community or charter school in which the juvenile court school pupil will be enrolling shall assign a staff member of the that school district who shall or charter school to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities. The school district or charter school shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the assigned staff members name and contact information. The staff member, and other existing school district personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the individual pupil, shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district or charter school point person for transition liaison responsibilities upon the pupils release, if possible.
(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community shall assign transition liaison responsibilities to a staff member of the school district and who shall serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities. The school district shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the staff members name and contact information. The staff member member, and other existing school district personnel as needed to serve the individual pupil, shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district transition liaison staff member point person for transition liaison responsibilities upon the pupils release, if possible.
(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall, within 20 school days from the date of the pupils transfer, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)Partial credits for one course shall not equal more than the number of credits the pupil would have received for completing the whole course in one location. (4)(3)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(5)(4)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(6)(5)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.(a)Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to enter into memoranda of understanding and create joint policies, systems, including data sharing systems, transition centers, and other joint structures that will allow for the immediate transfer of educational records, create uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credit, and allow for the immediate enrollment of pupils transferring from juvenile court schools.
(b)As part of their existing responsibilities for coordinating education and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, the county office of education and county probation department shall have a joint transition planning policy that includes collaboration with relevant local educational agencies to improve communication regarding dates of release and the educational needs of pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, to coordinate immediate school placement and enrollment, and to ensure that probation officers in the community have the information they need to support the return of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools to public schools in their communities.
(c)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education shall assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing county office of education personnel who will work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to ensure all of the following:
(1)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, within 72 hours of the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility.
(2)Access to information about postsecondary academic and vocational opportunities, including college financial aid programs.
(3)The implementation of the pupils transition plan, if one exists.
(d)As part of the joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the county office of education personnel assigned transition oversight responsibilities shall work in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed, and relevant local educational agencies to facilitate all of the following:
(1)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in their community when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(2)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(3)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(e)As part of joint transition planning policy required under subdivision (b), the school district in the juvenile court school pupils community shall assign transition liaison responsibilities to a staff member of the school district and shall notify the county office of education and the county probation department of the staff members name and contact information. The staff member shall work in collaboration with the county office of education transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
(1)The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable, when a pupil enters the juvenile court school.
(2)The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district when a pupil is transferred from the juvenile court school.
(3)The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the juvenile court school, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2.
(4)The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51225.2.
(e)(f)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have an individualized transition plan developed by the county office of education in collaboration with the county probation department, as needed. The individualized transition plan shall be developed before the pupils release and reviewed and revised as needed, and shall address, but not be limited to, both of the following:
(1)The academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and career needs of the pupil.
(2)The identification and engagement of programs, including higher education programs, services, and individuals to support a pupils successful transition into and out of the juvenile detention facility.
(f)(g)Each pupil detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays shall have all of the following accessible to the holder of the educational rights for that pupil upon the pupils release from the juvenile detention facility:
(1)School transcripts.
(2)The pupils individualized learning plan, if applicable. For purposes of this section, an individualized learning plan is a plan developed collaboratively by a pupil and school personnel that identifies academic and career goals and how the pupil will progress toward meeting those goals.
(3)The pupils individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), if applicable.
(4)The pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), if applicable.
(5)Any academic and vocational assessments.
(6)An analysis of credits completed and needed.
(7)Any certificates or diplomas earned by the pupil.
(g)(h)For each pupil detained for 20 consecutive schooldays or fewer, a copy of the pupils individualized learning plan, if one exists, shall be made available by the county office of education to the pupil and the pupils school district transition liaison staff member upon the pupils release, if possible.
(h)(i)The county office of education, in collaboration, as needed, with the county probation department, department and relevant local educational agencies, shall establish procedures for the timely, accurate, complete, and confidential transfer of educational records in compliance with state and federal law.
(i)(j)Notwithstanding any other law, this section applies to juvenile court schools that are operated by, or as, charter schools. As used in this section, county office of education includes a charter school that serves juvenile court school pupils.
SEC. 2.Section 49069.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:49069.5.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The mobility of pupils in foster care often disrupts their educational experience.
(2)Efficient transfer procedures and transfer of pupil records are critical factors in the swift placement of foster children in educational settings.
(3)Pupils who have had contact with the juvenile justice system are often denied credit or partial credit earned during enrollment in juvenile court schools. Delays in school enrollment and loss of earned credit can result in improper class or school placement, denial of special education services, and school dropout.
(b)The proper and timely transfer between schools of pupils in foster care is the responsibility of both the local educational agency, including the county office of education for pupils in foster care who are enrolled in juvenile court schools, and the county placing agency, which includes the county probation department.
(c)As soon as the county placing agency or county office of education becomes aware of the need to transfer a pupil in foster care out of the pupils current school, the county placing agency or county office of education shall contact the appropriate person at the local educational agency of the pupil. The county placing agency shall notify the local educational agency of the date that the pupil will be leaving the school and request that the pupil be transferred out.
(d)Upon receiving a transfer request from a county placing agency or notification of enrollment from the new local educational agency, the local educational agency receiving the transfer request or notification shall, within two business days, transfer the pupil out of school and deliver the educational information and records of the pupil to the next educational placement.
(e)As part of the transfer process described under subdivisions (c) and (d), the local educational agency shall compile the complete educational record of the pupil, including a determination of days of enrollment or seat time, or both if applicable, an official transcript that meets the requirements of Section 51225.2, including full and partial credits earned, or any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 51225.2, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, current classes and grades, immunization and other records, and, if applicable, a copy of the pupils plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or individualized education program adopted pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f)The local educational agency shall assign the duties listed in this section to a person who is competent to handle the transfer procedure and who is aware of the specific educational recordkeeping needs of homeless, foster, and other transient children who transfer between schools.
(g)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or placing agency, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the date the pupil left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(h)The local educational agency shall ensure that, if the pupil in foster care is absent from school due to a verified court appearance or related court ordered activity, no lowering of the pupils grades will occur as a result of the absence of the pupil under these circumstances.
(i)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(j)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)County placing agency means a county social services department or county probation department.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.
(3)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
SEC. 3.Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:51225.2.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Former juvenile court school pupil means a pupil who, upon completion of the pupils second year of high school, transfers to a school district or charter school, excluding a school district operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, from a juvenile court school.
(2)Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(3)Newcomer pupil has the same meaning as immigrant children and youth, as defined in Section 7011(5) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
(4)Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the pupil did not complete the entire course.
(5)Pupil in foster care has the same meaning as foster child, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 48853.5.
(6)Pupil who is a child of a military family means a pupil who meets the definition of children of military families under Section 49701.
(7)Pupil who is a homeless child or youth means a pupil who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in Section 11434a(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(8)Pupil who is a migratory child means a pupil who meets the definition of currently migratory child under subdivision (a) of Section 54441.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a local educational agency shall issue, and the new local educational agency shall accept, full or partial credit for all full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed by a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil, while attending a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)The transferring local educational agency shall shall, within 20 school days from the date of the pupils transfer, issue the full and partial credits on an official transcript for the pupil and shall ensure the transcript includes all of the following:
(A)All full and partial credits and grades earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed, including a determination of the days of enrollment or seat time, or both, if applicable, at a school of that local educational agency or a prior local educational agency, or any other public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(B)The credits and grades for each school and local educational agency listed separately so it is clear where they were earned.
(C)A complete record of the pupils seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment.
(3)Partial credits for one course shall not equal more than the number of credits the pupil would have received for completing the whole course in one location.
(3)(4)The new local educational agency shall transfer the credits and grades onto an official transcript of the new local educational agency for the pupil in the same manner as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (c).
(4)(5)If the new school or new local educational agency has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring local educational agency may not include certain credits or grades for the pupil, it shall contact the prior local educational agency within two business days to request that the prior local educational agency issue full or partial credits pursuant to this paragraph. The prior local educational agency shall issue appropriate credits and provide all academic and other records to the new local educational agency within two business days of the request.
(5)(6)For purposes of coursework completed by a pupil who is a child of a military family, public school includes schools operated by the United States Department of Defense.
(c)(1)The credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be applied for enrollment purposes as specified in subdivision (d) to the same or equivalent course, if applicable, as the coursework completed in the prior public school, juvenile court school, charter school, school in a country other than the United States, or nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
(2)For purposes of the official transcript, the credits accepted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be added to the credits earned from the same or equivalent course for purposes of calculating the total credits earned for the course but shall separately identify the school and local educational agency in which the credits were earned.
(d)A local educational agency shall not require a pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil to retake a course if the pupil has satisfactorily completed the entire course in a public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. If the pupil did not complete the entire course, the local educational agency shall not require the pupil to retake the portion of the course the pupil completed unless the local educational agency, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the pupil, finds that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. When partial credit is awarded in a particular course, the pupil in foster care, the pupil who is a homeless child or youth, the former juvenile court school pupil, the pupil who is a child of a military family, the pupil who is a migratory child, or the newcomer pupil shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the pupil may continue and complete the entire course.
(e)A pupil in foster care, a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, a former juvenile court school pupil, a pupil who is a child of a military family, a pupil who is a migratory child, or a newcomer pupil shall not be prevented from retaking or taking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California.
(f)(1)A complaint of noncompliance with the requirements of this section may be filed with the local educational agency under the Uniform Complaint Procedures set forth in Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)A complainant not satisfied with the decision of a local educational agency may appeal the decision to the department pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and shall receive a written decision regarding the appeal within 60 days of the departments receipt of the appeal.
(3)If a local educational agency finds merit in a complaint, or if the Superintendent finds merit in an appeal, the local educational agency shall provide a remedy to the affected pupil.
(4)Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to, among others, pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 538, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0.). |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6598.). |
| Aug 26, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.). |
| Aug 24, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 15, 2026 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. |
| Jun 4, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 6, 2026 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 4723.) |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 8). |
| Mar 19, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Mar 9, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 2, 2026 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 1. |
| Jan 29, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2026 | AB 1659 Ransom Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 25, 2026 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB1659 Ransom et al. By Weber Pierson | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 3, 2026 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
|
| Apr 20, 2026 | AB 1659 Ransom Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 8, 2026 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Mar 18, 2026 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| alameda county board of education | ** Support | |
| Alameda County Board of Supervisors | ** Support | |
| Alameda County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| Association Of California School Administrators | ** Support | |
| Back to the Start | ** Support | |
| California Alliance Of Child And Family Services | ** Support | |
| California County Superintendents | ** Support | |
| California Teachers Association | ** Support | |
| California Youth Defender Center | ** Support | |
| Children Now | ** Support | |
| Childrens Defense Fund California | ** Support | |
| Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice | ** Support | |
| Disability Rights California | ** Support | |
| East Bay Community Law Center | ** Support | |
| Equal Justice Society | ** Support | |
| Fresh Lifelines for Youth | ** Support | |
| Fresno County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers Afscme Local 685 | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| National Center for Youth Law | ** Support | |
| Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools | ** Support | |
| Santa Clara County Office Of Education | ** Support | |
| Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union, Teamsters Local 986 | ** Support | |
| Yolo County Board of Education | ** Support |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1659
Author:(Ransom)
As Amended Ver:August 21, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires school districts and charter schools in which a juvenile court school (JCS) pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of the district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Senate Amendments
- Clarify that the provisions apply equally to charter schools as well as school districts.
- Include double-jointing language to ensure that the amendments made by both this bill and SB 685 (Cortese) of the current legislative session to Education Code Section 48986 become operative if both bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
COMMENTS
Juvenile court schools. According to the CDE, the purpose of JCS is to provide mandated, compulsory public education for juvenile offenders who are under the protection or authority of the county juvenile justice system and are incarcerated in juvenile halls, juvenile homes, day centers, juvenile ranches, juvenile camps, or regional youth educational facilities. These schools are operated by COEs. In the 2023-24 school year, over 13,000 students were enrolled across 51 JCS school sites.
Students are often enrolled in JCS for only a period of days or weeks; more than half are enrolled for less than 31 days (Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind). Nevertheless, JCS enables students to complete course credits leading to a high school diploma. A minimum day program for JCS is 240 minutes, in alignment with public school requirements, and students must take all required public education assessments.
Delayed re-enrollment and credit transfer can impact graduation rates for JCS students. For students transferring out of JCS, delayed re-enrollment in their next school is a serious concern. According to data from the CDE, 1 in 4 students (25%) who attend JCS schools never re-enroll in any form of school. In the 2023-24 school year, this amounted to nearly 3,000 students who dropped out of school before obtaining their diplomas.
Once JCS students are re-enrolled, delayed or inaccurate credit transfer is common. At a minimum this can cause inappropriate course placement, but it can also impact if and when a student has accumulated enough credit for graduation. According to the CDE, graduation rates for former JCS students were only 40% in 2023-24, compared to the statewide average of 86%. Perhaps more starkly, for schools that reported data that year, only 1 former JCS student met the requirements needed to apply to California State University or University of California. Helping JCS students receive the credits they earned, full or partial, is critical to ensuring their long-term success.
District-level liaisons were recommended in a previous report to the Legislature. In 2016, the CDE released Juvenile Court Student Transition Statewide Work Group: Report and Recommendations to the Legislature, pursuant to AB 2276 (Bocanegra), Chapter 901, Statues of 2014. Their recommendations included the creation of a student transition team, comprised of designated transition liaisons at the COE, county probation department, and school district. While the first two positions have been created, the district personnel positions were never implemented.
Improved administrative collaboration may smooth student transitions. Recently, a number of reports have confirmed the need for system-level collaboration, including:
- Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, 2023: Investing in transition services and relationships with distr′icts of origin is ″imperative″;
- FowardChange, Fewer Chutes, More Ladders, 2026: System-level coordination is essential to reduce recidivism and improve the lives of youth;
- Bishop, Educational Planning of Court-Involved Youth, 2019: Establishing points of contact in each agency can enhance educational planning for court school youth.
This research confirms anecdotal evidence from California school administrators, who have observed that JCS students experience the best outcomes when their home district has a clearly identified person supporting their transitions. Current law requires COEs have designated transition personnel assisting students as they leave JCS, yet there are no corresponding designated personnel at the receiving school district. A warm handoff of the student from JCS to their next school district is difficult without a team of people working at both ends to help the student successfully re-enroll.
According to the Author
Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student′s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students′ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.
Arguments in Support
Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) writes: ″When COEs and school districts work together to support smooth transitions, juvenile court school students are more likely to re-enroll promptly, get credit for work completed, and take appropriate courses to help them graduate. Without support, these vulnerable students can fall through the cracks, dropping out of school altogether and even ending up with more juvenile justice system involvement.
Current law mandates that COEs have a designated staff person to serve as a transition liaison for court school students, but there is no comparable mandate for school districts. AB 1659 will remedy that omission by ensuring that school district staff is identified to partner with COE staff to support students through these transitions, helping them enroll in appropriate courses and get credit for work completed.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
VOTES:
ASM EDUCATION: 8-0-0
YES: Patel, Hoover, Alvarez, Bonta, Castillo, Garcia, Lowenthal, Zbur
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Hoover, Arambula, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Muratsuchi, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa
ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0-4
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
ABS, ABST OR NV: Bonta, Patterson, Celeste Rodriguez, Ward
SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener
UPDATED
VERSION: August 21, 2026
CONSULTANT: Sarah Cate Hawthorne / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0004232
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 1659 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1659
Author: Ransom (D), et al.
Amended: 8/21/26 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/3/26
AYES: Pérez, Ochoa Bogh, Cabaldon, Choi, Cortese, Gonzalez, Reyes
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Juvenile court school pupils: joint transition planning policy: courses of study
SOURCE: Alameda County Office of Education
DIGEST:
This bill requires, as joint transition planning policy, a school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school (JCS) pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of the school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/21/26: Incorporate double-jointing language to avoid a chaptering out conflict with a section of SB 685 (Cortese, 2026).
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires county offices of education (COEs) and county probation departments to have a joint transition planning policy to coordinate the transition of pupils between JCSs and other public schools. Requires a COE to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing COE personnel, who shall coordinate with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure:
- The immediate enrollment of a pupil transferred from a JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The transfer of education records, including an individualized education program (IEP) and, pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 plan, if applicable, within 72 hours of a pupil’s release from a JCS;
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS;
- The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists; and
- Access to information about postsecondary opportunities, including college financial aid. (Education Code (EC) § 48647)
- Requires LEAs to accept full or partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed by a student while attending a public school, including JCS. (EC § 48645.5 and 51225.2.)
- Requires LEAs to provide educational records of transferring students to their next LEA within two business days of receiving the transfer notification. The records include, among other items, a transcript updated with full or partial credit for coursework completed by the student. (EC § 49069.5)
This bill:
- Requires the school district or charter school in which the JCS pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
- Requires the school district or charter school to notify the COE and county probation department of the assigned staff member’s name and contact information.
- Requires the assigned staff member, and other existing personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, to work in collaboration with the COE transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
- The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s IEP adopted pursuant to the federal IDEA and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, if applicable, when a pupil enters the JCS.
- The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the JCS.
- The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the JCS, as specified.
- The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, as specified.
- Restates existing law that requires LEAs to issue full or partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCSs.
- Incorporates additional changes to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by SB 685 (Cortese, 2026) to be operative only if this bill and SB 685 are enacted, and this bill is enacted last.
Comments
- Need for the bill. According to the author, “Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student’s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students’ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.”
- What is a juvenile court school? According to the California Department of Education (CDE), JCSs are COE operated educational programs located within juvenile detention facilities, serving youths who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and are temporarily or permanently out of traditional school settings due to incarceration or legal proceedings.
Juveniles who are under the authority of the juvenile court system are required to attend school under California’s compulsory education requirements. JCS students are provided a California standards-based curriculum and must take educational assessment tests required of all students in the state’s public schools. The minimum school day for JCSs is 240 minutes of instruction. These schools offer students a course of study that leads to a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
Upon release, or after the court terminates jurisdiction, students of ages sixteen to eighteen who are not exempt from compulsory school attendance are required to continue their public education. These students are provided with planning and transition services critical to a successful transfer back to a public school.
For the 2023-24 school year, CDE reported the total enrollment of 13,203 students across the state’s 51 JCSs, with a mean enrollment of 264.1 students and a median of 131 students per school.
- JCS Transition Statewide Work Group Report and Recommendations. In 2014, the Legislature passed AB 2276 (Bocanegra, Chapter 901, Statutes of 2014), requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), in consultation with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to convene a statewide group with stakeholders from the community, advocacy organizations, and education and probation department leaders to study four specific performance areas impacting pupils transitioning from a JCS back to public schools in their community. The legislation directs the statewide work group to develop a model, study existing successful county programs and policies, report its findings, and provide recommendations for state actions to improve:
- Immediate transfer of educational records;
- Uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credits;
- Transition planning; and
- Immediate enrollment of transferring pupils.
The resulting report found, among other things, that communication between COE, school district, county probation, and other stakeholders was inadequate, complete and accurate educational student records were not immediately transferred, and school districts had difficulty complying with statutes requiring the immediate enrollment of a pupil transitioning from a JCS.
Relative to transition planning, the report makes the following recommendations, among other things:
- A student transition team should be established for each student and shall include, at a minimum, a representative from the COE, the pupil’s resident school district, and the county probation department.
- The student transition team should provide each student with a plan that includes the requisite academic and behavioral actions necessary to establish a clear pathway back to a comprehensive public school in their community.
- Identified staff shall be accountable for providing necessary assistance and effective case management to each transitioning student. Each COE, county probation department, and school district shall have one or more individuals specifically identified as the juvenile court student transition liaison/specialist. The transition liaison/specialist from each agency should coordinate their efforts to ensure successful student transition.
- Accurate student records shall be available for all students transitioning into and out of a juvenile court facility.
- A transitioning student from a JCS shall be immediately enrolled, regardless of the availability of academic records, among other things.
- Each school district shall identify one or more persons responsible for ensuring the immediate enrollment of a student transitioning from a juvenile court facility.
- School districts and COEs should adopt and comply with the California Model Policy, which provides a partial credit calculation formula, explanations of the policy’s provisions, and implementation tools for use by school personnel and social workers.
In the years following the release of the report, several recommendations have gone on to be codified, including requirements for COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a JCS for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan, and that COEs specifically assign personnel to collaborate with county probation departments to be responsible for transition oversight.
This bill seeks to implement another area of recommendations made by the report, namely, for school districts and charter schools to assign a staff member to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/21/26)
Alameda County Office of Education (source)
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Association of California School Administrators
Back to the Start
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California County Superintendents
California Teachers Association
Children Now
Disability Rights California
East Bay Community Law Center
Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Fresno County Office of Education
Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers AFSCME Local 685
Los Angeles County Office of Education
National Center for Youth Law
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union, Teamsters Local 986
Yolo County Board of Education
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/21/26)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Patterson, Celeste Rodriguez, Ward
Prepared by: Therresa Austin / ED. / (916) 651-4105
8/24/26 12:04:42
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 1659 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1659
Author: Ransom (D), et al.
Amended: 8/18/26 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/3/26
AYES: Pérez, Ochoa Bogh, Cabaldon, Choi, Cortese, Gonzalez, Reyes
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Juvenile court school pupils: joint transition planning policy: courses of study
SOURCE: Alameda County Office of Education
DIGEST:
This bill requires, as joint transition planning policy, a school district or charter school in which the juvenile court school (JCS) pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of the school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
Senate Floor amendments of 8/18/26: require a charter school in which the JCS pupil will be enrolling to select an employee of the charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires county offices of education (COEs) and county probation departments to have a joint transition planning policy to coordinate the transition of pupils between JCSs and other public schools. Requires a COE to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing COE personnel, who shall coordinate with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure:
- The immediate enrollment of a pupil transferred from a JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The transfer of education records, including an individualized education program (IEP) and, pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 plan, if applicable, within 72 hours of a pupil’s release from a JCS;
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS;
- The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists; and
- Access to information about postsecondary opportunities, including college financial aid. (Education Code (EC) § 48647)
- Requires LEAs to accept full or partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed by a student while attending a public school, including JCS. (EC § 48645.5 and 51225.2.)
- Requires LEAs to provide educational records of transferring students to their next LEA within two business days of receiving the transfer notification. The records include, among other items, a transcript updated with full or partial credit for coursework completed by the student. (EC § 49069.5)
This bill:
- Requires the school district or charter school in which the JCS pupil will be enrolling to assign a staff member of that school district or charter school to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
- Requires the school district or charter school to notify the COE and county probation department of the assigned staff member’s name and contact information.
- Requires the assigned staff member, and other existing personnel of the school district or charter school as needed to serve the pupil, to work in collaboration with the COE transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
- The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s IEP adopted pursuant to the federal IDEA and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, if applicable, when a pupil enters the JCS.
- The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district or charter school when a pupil is transferred from the JCS.
- The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the JCS, as specified.
- The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, as specified.
- Restates existing law that requires LEAs to issue full or partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCSs.
Comments
- Need for the bill. According to the author, “Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student’s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students’ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.”
- What is a juvenile court school? According to the California Department of Education (CDE), JCSs are COE operated educational programs located within juvenile detention facilities, serving youths who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and are temporarily or permanently out of traditional school settings due to incarceration or legal proceedings.
Juveniles who are under the authority of the juvenile court system are required to attend school under California’s compulsory education requirements. JCS students are provided a California standards-based curriculum and must take educational assessment tests required of all students in the state’s public schools. The minimum school day for JCSs is 240 minutes of instruction. These schools offer students a course of study that leads to a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
Upon release, or after the court terminates jurisdiction, students of ages sixteen to eighteen who are not exempt from compulsory school attendance are required to continue their public education. These students are provided with planning and transition services critical to a successful transfer back to a public school.
For the 2023-24 school year, CDE reported the total enrollment of 13,203 students across the state’s 51 JCSs, with a mean enrollment of 264.1 students and a median of 131 students per school.
- JCS Transition Statewide Work Group Report and Recommendations. In 2014, the Legislature passed AB 2276 (Bocanegra, Chapter 901, Statutes of 2014), requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), in consultation with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to convene a statewide group with stakeholders from the community, advocacy organizations, and education and probation department leaders to study four specific performance areas impacting pupils transitioning from a JCS back to public schools in their community. The legislation directs the statewide work group to develop a model, study existing successful county programs and policies, report its findings, and provide recommendations for state actions to improve:
- Immediate transfer of educational records;
- Uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credits;
- Transition planning; and
- Immediate enrollment of transferring pupils.
The resulting report found, among other things, that communication between COE, school district, county probation, and other stakeholders was inadequate, complete and accurate educational student records were not immediately transferred, and school districts had difficulty complying with statutes requiring the immediate enrollment of a pupil transitioning from a JCS.
Relative to transition planning, the report makes the following recommendations, among other things:
- A student transition team should be established for each student and shall include, at a minimum, a representative from the COE, the pupil’s resident school district, and the county probation department.
- The student transition team should provide each student with a plan that includes the requisite academic and behavioral actions necessary to establish a clear pathway back to a comprehensive public school in their community.
- Identified staff shall be accountable for providing necessary assistance and effective case management to each transitioning student. Each COE, county probation department, and school district shall have one or more individuals specifically identified as the juvenile court student transition liaison/specialist. The transition liaison/specialist from each agency should coordinate their efforts to ensure successful student transition.
- Accurate student records shall be available for all students transitioning into and out of a juvenile court facility.
- A transitioning student from a JCS shall be immediately enrolled, regardless of the availability of academic records, among other things.
- Each school district shall identify one or more persons responsible for ensuring the immediate enrollment of a student transitioning from a juvenile court facility.
- School districts and COEs should adopt and comply with the California Model Policy, which provides a partial credit calculation formula, explanations of the policy’s provisions, and implementation tools for use by school personnel and social workers.
In the years following the release of the report, several recommendations have gone on to be codified, including requirements for COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a JCS for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan, and that COEs specifically assign personnel to collaborate with county probation departments to be responsible for transition oversight.
This bill seeks to implement another area of recommendations made by the report, namely, for school districts and charter schools to assign a staff member to serve as the point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/18/26)
Alameda County Office of Education (source)
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Association of California School Administrators
Back to the Start
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California County Superintendents
California Teachers Association
Children Now
Disability Rights California
East Bay Community Law Center
Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers AFSCME Local 685
Los Angeles County Office of Education
National Center for Youth Law
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union, Teamsters Local 986
Yolo County Board of Education
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/18/26)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Patterson, Celeste Rodriguez, Ward
Prepared by: Therresa Austin / ED. / (916) 651-4105
8/19/26 9:47:35
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 1659 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1659
Author: Ransom (D), et al.
Amended: 3/9/26 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/3/26
AYES: Pérez, Ochoa Bogh, Cabaldon, Choi, Cortese, Gonzalez, Reyes
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Juvenile court school pupils: joint transition planning policy: courses of study
SOURCE: Alameda County Office of Education
DIGEST:
This bill requires school districts in a juvenile court school (JCS) pupil’s community to assign a district staff member to serve as the district’s point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires county offices of education (COEs) and county probation departments to have a joint transition planning policy to coordinate the transition of pupils between JCSs and other public schools. Requires a COE to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing COE personnel, who shall coordinate with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure:
- The immediate enrollment of a pupil transferred from a JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The transfer of education records, including an individualized education program (IEP) and pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 plan, if applicable, within 72 hours of a pupil’s release from a JCS;
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS;
- The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists; and
- Access to information about postsecondary opportunities, including college financial aid. (Education Code (EC) § 48647)
- Requires LEAs to accept full or partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed by a student while attending a public school, including JCS. (EC § 48645.5 and 51225.2.)
- Requires LEAs to provide educational records of transferring students to their next LEA within two business days of receiving the transfer notification. The records include, among other items, a transcript updated with full or partial credit for coursework completed by the student. (EC § 49069.5)
This bill:
- Requires school districts in a JCS pupil’s community to assign a staff member of the school district to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
- Requires the school district to notify the COE and county probation department of the assigned staff member’s name and contact information.
- Requires the assigned staff member, and other existing school district personnel as needed to serve the individual pupil, to work in collaboration with the COE transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
- The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s IEP adopted pursuant to the federal IDEA and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, if applicable, when a pupil enters the JCS.
- The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district when a pupil is transferred from the JCS.
- The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the JCS, as specified.
- The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, as specified.
- Restates existing law that requires LEAs to issue full or partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCSs.
Comments
- Need for the bill. According to the author, “Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student’s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students’ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.”
- What is a juvenile court school? According to the California Department of Education (CDE), JCSs are COE operated educational programs located within juvenile detention facilities, serving youths who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and are temporarily or permanently out of traditional school settings due to incarceration or legal proceedings.
Juveniles who are under the authority of the juvenile court system are required to attend school under California’s compulsory education requirements. JCS students are provided a California standards-based curriculum and must take educational assessment tests required of all students in the state’s public schools. The minimum school day for JCSs is 240 minutes of instruction. These schools offer students a course of study that leads to a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
Upon release, or after the court terminates jurisdiction, students of ages sixteen to eighteen who are not exempt from compulsory school attendance are required to continue their public education. These students are provided with planning and transition services critical to a successful transfer back to a public school.
For the 2023-24 school year, CDE reported the total enrollment of 13,203 students across the state’s 51 JCSs, with a mean enrollment of 264.1 students and a median of 131 students per school.
- JCS Transition Statewide Work Group Report and Recommendations. In 2014, the Legislature passed AB 2276 (Bocanegra, Chapter 901, Statutes of 2014), requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), in consultation with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to convene a statewide group with stakeholders from the community, advocacy organizations, and education and probation department leaders to study four specific performance areas impacting pupils transitioning from a JCS back to public schools in their community. The legislation directs the statewide work group to develop a model, study existing successful county programs and policies, report its findings, and provide recommendations for state actions to improve:
- Immediate transfer of educational records;
- Uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credits;
- Transition planning; and
- Immediate enrollment of transferring pupils.
The resulting report found, among other things, that communication between COE, school district, county probation, and other stakeholders was inadequate, complete and accurate educational student records were not immediately transferred, and school districts had difficulty complying with statutes requiring the immediate enrollment of a pupil transitioning from a JCS.
Relative to transition planning, the report makes the following recommendations, among other things:
- A student transition team should be established for each student and shall include, at a minimum, a representative from the COE, the pupil’s resident school district, and the county probation department.
- The student transition team should provide each student with a plan that includes the requisite academic and behavioral actions necessary to establish a clear pathway back to a comprehensive public school in their community.
- Identified staff shall be accountable for providing necessary assistance and effective case management to each transitioning student. Each COE, county probation department, and school district shall have one or more individuals specifically identified as the juvenile court student transition liaison/specialist. The transition liaison/specialist from each agency should coordinate their efforts to ensure successful student transition.
- Accurate student records shall be available for all students transitioning into and out of a juvenile court facility.
- A transitioning student from a JCS shall be immediately enrolled, regardless of the availability of academic records, among other things.
- Each school district shall identify one or more persons responsible for ensuring the immediate enrollment of a student transitioning from a juvenile court facility.
- School districts and COEs should adopt and comply with the California Model Policy, which provides a partial credit calculation formula, explanations of the policy’s provisions, and implementation tools for use by school personnel and social workers.
In the years following the release of the report, several recommendations have gone on to be codified, including requirements for COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a JCS for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan, and that COEs specifically assign personnel to collaborate with county probation departments to be responsible for transition oversight.
This bill seeks to implement another area of recommendations made by the report, namely, for school districts to assign a staff member to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
SUPPORT: (Verified 6/15/26)
Alameda County Office of Education (source)
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Association of California School Administrators
Back to the Start
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California County Superintendents
California Teachers Association
Children Now
Disability Rights California
East Bay Community Law Center
Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Los Angeles County Office of Education
National Center for Youth Law
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Yolo County Board of Education
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/15/26)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 4/20/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Patterson, Celeste Rodriguez, Ward
Prepared by: Therresa Austin / ED. / (916) 651-4105
6/16/26 16:43:00
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: June 3, 2026
Author: | |||
Version: |
| ||
Urgency: | Fiscal: | ||
Consultant: | |||
Subject:
SUMMARY
This bill requires school districts in a juvenile court school (JCS) pupil’s community to assign a district staff member to serve as the district’s point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
BACKGROUND
Existing law:
- Requires county offices of education (COEs) and county probation departments to have a joint transition planning policy to coordinate the transition of pupils between JCSs and other public schools. Requires a COE to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing COE personnel, who shall coordinate with the county probation department and relevant local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure:
- The immediate enrollment of a pupil transferred from a JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The transfer of education records, including an individualized education program (IEP) and pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 plan, if applicable, within 72 hours of a pupil’s release from a JCS;
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS;
- The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists; and
- Access to information about postsecondary opportunities, including college financial aid. (Education Code (EC) § 48647)
- Requires LEAs to accept full or partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed by a student while attending a public school, including JCS. (EC § 48645.5 and 51225.2.)
- Requires LEAs to provide educational records of transferring students to their next LEA within two business days of receiving the transfer notification. The records include, among other items, a transcript updated with full or partial credit for coursework completed by the student. (EC § 49069.5)
ANALYSIS
This bill:
- Requires school districts in a JCS pupil’s community to assign a staff member of the school district to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
- Requires the school district to notify the COE and county probation department of the assigned staff member’s name and contact information.
- Requires the assigned staff member, and other existing school district personnel as needed to serve the individual pupil, to work in collaboration with the COE transition oversight personnel throughout the calendar year to ensure all of the following:
- The timely transfer of complete and accurate education records, including the pupil’s IEP adopted pursuant to the federal IDEA and the pupil’s plan adopted pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, if applicable, when a pupil enters the JCS.
- The immediate enrollment in an appropriate public school in the school district when a pupil is transferred from the JCS.
- The acceptance, upon enrollment by the pupil in a public school, of course credits, including partial credits, for coursework completed in the JCS, as specified.
- The immediate placement in appropriate courses, based on coursework completed by the pupil, as specified.
- Restates existing law that requires LEAs to issue full or partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCSs.
STAFF COMMENTS
- Need for the bill. According to the author, “Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student’s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students’ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.”
- What is a juvenile court school? According to the California Department of Education (CDE), JCSs are COE operated educational programs located within juvenile detention facilities, serving youths who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and are temporarily or permanently out of traditional school settings due to incarceration or legal proceedings.
Juveniles who are under the authority of the juvenile court system are required to attend school under California’s compulsory education requirements. JCS students are provided a California standards-based curriculum and must take educational assessment tests required of all students in the state’s public schools. The minimum school day for JCSs is 240 minutes of instruction. These schools offer students a course of study that leads to a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
Upon release, or after the court terminates jurisdiction, students of ages sixteen to eighteen who are not exempt from compulsory school attendance are required to continue their public education. These students are provided with planning and transition services critical to a successful transfer back to a public school.
For the 2023-24 school year, CDE reported the total enrollment of 13,203 students across the state’s 51 JCSs, with a mean enrollment of 264.1 students and a median of 131 students per school.
- JCS Transition Statewide Work Group Report and Recommendations. In 2014, the Legislature passed AB 2276 (Bocanegra, Chapter 901, Statutes of 2014), requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), in consultation with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to convene a statewide group with stakeholders from the community, advocacy organizations, and education and probation department leaders to study four specific performance areas impacting pupils transitioning from a JCS back to public schools in their community. The legislation directs the statewide work group to develop a model, study existing successful county programs and policies, report its findings, and provide recommendations for state actions to improve:
- Immediate transfer of educational records;
- Uniform systems for calculating and awarding course credits;
- Transition planning; and
- Immediate enrollment of transferring pupils.
The resulting report found, among other things, that communication between COE, school district, county probation, and other stakeholders was inadequate, complete and accurate educational student records were not immediately transferred, and school districts had difficulty complying with statutes requiring the immediate enrollment of a pupil transitioning from a JCS.
Relative to transition planning, the report makes the following recommendations, among other things:
- A student transition team should be established for each student and shall include, at a minimum, a representative from the COE, the pupil’s resident school district, and the county probation department.
- The student transition team should provide each student with a plan that includes the requisite academic and behavioral actions necessary to establish a clear pathway back to a comprehensive public school in their community.
- Identified staff shall be accountable for providing necessary assistance and effective case management to each transitioning student. Each COE, county probation department, and school district shall have one or more individuals specifically identified as the juvenile court student transition liaison/specialist. The transition liaison/specialist from each agency should coordinate their efforts to ensure successful student transition.
- Accurate student records shall be available for all students transitioning into and out of a juvenile court facility.
- A transitioning student from a JCS shall be immediately enrolled, regardless of the availability of academic records, among other things.
- Each school district shall identify one or more persons responsible for ensuring the immediate enrollment of a student transitioning from a juvenile court facility.
- School districts and COEs should adopt and comply with the California Model Policy, which provides a partial credit calculation formula, explanations of the policy’s provisions, and implementation tools for use by school personnel and social workers.
In the years following the release of the report, several recommendations have gone on to be codified, including requirements for COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a JCS for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan, and that COEs specifically assign personnel to collaborate with county probation departments to be responsible for transition oversight.
This bill seeks to implement another area of recommendations made by the report, namely, for school districts to assign a staff member to serve as the district point person for transition liaison responsibilities.
- Related and prior legislation.
AB 2181 (Gipson, Chapter 703, Statutes of 2024) requires a JCS operated by a COE to exempt a student from local graduation requirements of the COE, and to permit a student to remain enrolled to complete statewide coursework requirements for graduation, under specified conditions.
AB 1354 (Gipson, Chapter 756, Statutes of 2019) requires COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a JCS for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan and access to specified educational records upon release.
AB 1124 (Cervantes, Chapter 754, Statutes of 2017) permits the education rights holders of students enrolled in JCSs to voluntarily defer or decline the issuance of a diploma for meeting state graduation requirements so that a student may take additional coursework at the JCS or, once released, at a school operated by an LEA.
AB 2276 (Bocanegra, Chapter 901, Statutes of 2014) required the SPI, in consultation with the BSCC, to convene a statewide stakeholder group to develop a model for the immediate transfer of educational records, uniform systems for calculating and awarding credits, transition planning, and the immediate enrollment of pupils who are being transferred from JCSs; and report recommendations for state action to the Legislature by January 1, 2016.
SUPPORT
Alameda County Office of Education (sponsor)
Association of California School Administrators
Back to the Start
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California County Superintendents
California Teachers Association
Children Now
Disability Rights California
East Bay Community Law Center
Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Los Angeles County Office of Education
National Center for Youth Law
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Yolo County Board of Education
OPPOSITION
None received
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 1659
Author:(Ransom)
As Amended Ver:March 9, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires school districts to designate at least one district staff member as a point person to help facilitate the transition of the pupil between public school and juvenile court schools (JCS).
Major Provisions
- Requires a school district in which a student has had contact with the juvenile justice system to designate at least one district staff member as a point person to help facilitate the transition of the pupil between public school and JCS. Requires the designated staff member to collaborate with the county office of education (COE) and county probation department throughout the calendar year to facilitate the following:
- The immediate enrollment of a student transferred from JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The timely transfer of education records when a student enters JCS, including the pupil's individualized education program (IEP) and 504 plan, if applicable; and
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS.
- Requires the school district to inform the COE and county probation department of the staff member's name and contact information;
- Restates existing law (Education Code (EC) 49069.5) that requires local education agencies (LEAs) to issue full and partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCS.
COMMENTS
Juvenile court schools. According to the CDE, the purpose of JCS is to provide mandated, compulsory public education for juvenile offenders who are under the protection or authority of the county juvenile justice system and are incarcerated in juvenile halls, juvenile homes, day centers, juvenile ranches, juvenile camps, or regional youth educational facilities. These schools are operated by COEs. In the 2023-24 school year, over 13,000 students were enrolled across 51 JCS school sites.
Students are often enrolled in JCS for only a period of days or weeks; more than half are enrolled for less than 31 days (Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind). Nevertheless, JCS enables students to complete course credits leading to a high school diploma. A minimum day program for JCS is 240 minutes, in alignment with public school requirements, and students must take all required public education assessments.
Delayed re-enrollment and credit transfer can impact graduation rates for JCS students. For students transferring out of JCS, delayed re-enrollment in their next school is a serious concern. According to data from the CDE, 1 in 4 students (25%) who attend JCS schools never re-enroll in any form of school. In the 2023-24 school year, this amounted to nearly 3,000 students who dropped out of school before obtaining their diplomas.
Once JCS students are re-enrolled, delayed or inaccurate credit transfer is common. At a minimum this can cause inappropriate course placement, but it can also impact if and when a student has accumulated enough credit for graduation. According to the CDE, graduation rates for former JCS students were only 40% in 2023-24, compared to the statewide average of 86%. Perhaps more starkly, for schools that reported data that year, only 1 former JCS student met the requirements needed to apply to California State University or University of California. Helping JCS students receive the credits they earned, full or partial, is critical to ensuring their long-term success.
District-level liaisons were recommended in a previous report to the Legislature. In 2016, the CDE released Juvenile Court Student Transition Statewide Work Group: Report and Recommendations to the Legislature, pursuant to AB 2276 (Bocanegra), Chapter 901, Statues of 2014. Their recommendations included the creation of a student transition team, comprised of designated transition liaisons at the COE, county probation department, and school district. While the first two positions have been created, the district personnel positions were never implemented.
Improved administrative collaboration may smooth student transitions. Recently, a number of reports have confirmed the need for system-level collaboration, including:
- Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, 2023: Investing in transition services and relationships with districts of origin is "imperative";
- FowardChange, Fewer Chutes, More Ladders, 2026: System-level coordination is essential to reduce recidivism and improve the lives of youth;
- Bishop, Educational Planning of Court-Involved Youth, 2019: Establishing points of contact in each agency can enhance educational planning for court school youth.
This research confirms anecdotal evidence from California school administrators, who have observed that JCS students experience the best outcomes when their home district has a clearly identified person supporting their transitions. Current law requires COEs have designated transition personnel assisting students as they leave JCS, yet there are no corresponding designated personnel at the receiving school district. A warm handoff of the student from JCS to their next school district is difficult without a team of people working at both ends to help the student successfully re-enroll.
According to the Author
Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student's home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students' education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.
Arguments in Support
Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) writes: "When COEs and school districts work together to support smooth transitions, juvenile court school students are more likely to re-enroll promptly, get credit for work completed, and take appropriate courses to help them graduate. Without support, these vulnerable students can fall through the cracks, dropping out of school altogether and even ending up with more juvenile justice system involvement.
Current law mandates that COEs have a designated staff person to serve as a transition liaison for court school students, but there is no comparable mandate for school districts. AB 1659 will remedy that omission by ensuring that school district staff is identified to partner with COE staff to support students through these transitions, helping them enroll in appropriate courses and get credit for work completed.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, "Unknown but likely minor and absorbable Proposition 98 General Fund (GF) cost pressures to each school district to designate a juvenile court school pupil point person within the district. However, current law already requires each school district to conduct the various transition activities referred to in this bill but without a point person responsible for connecting the appropriate COE and county probation department staff with the correct district staff to ensure a timely transition.
Potential Proposition 98 GF and non-Proposition 98 GF savings, possibly in the tens of thousands of dollars statewide, through the decreased cost to JCSs and county probation departments to the extent this bill results in a pupil who would otherwise not re-enroll timely and recidivate after transferring out of a JCS now re-enrolls in a comprehensive high school setting and matriculates through the K-12 education system without further incident."
VOTES
ASM EDUCATION: 8-0-0
YES: Patel, Hoover, Alvarez, Bonta, Castillo, Garcia, Lowenthal, Zbur
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Hoover, Arambula, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Muratsuchi, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa
ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon
UPDATED
VERSION: March 9, 2026
CONSULTANT: Sarah Cate Hawthorne / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0002349
Date of Hearing: April 8, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1659
Author:(Ransom) – As Amended Ver:March 9, 2026
Policy Committee: | Education | Vote: | 8 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY:
This bill requires school districts to designate a juvenile court school pupil transition liaison as the point person between the juvenile court school (JCS) and the public school receiving the pupil. The liaison is not required to perform all of the required tasks but must work in collaboration with other district, county office of education (COE), and county probation department staff to ensure timely transfer of education records (including acceptance of full or partial credits within two business days for coursework completed while in the JCS), immediate enrollment, and immediate placement in appropriate courses.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Unknown but likely minor and absorbable Proposition 98 General Fund (GF) cost pressures to each school district to designate a juvenile court school pupil point person within the district. However, current law already requires each school district to conduct the various transition activities referred to in this bill but without a point person responsible for connecting the appropriate COE and county probation department staff with the correct district staff to ensure a timely transition.
Potential Proposition 98 GF and non-Proposition 98 GF savings, possibly in the tens of thousands of dollars statewide, through the decreased cost to JCSs and county probation departments to the extent this bill results in a pupil who would otherwise not re-enroll timely and recidivate after transferring out of a JCS now re-enrolls in a comprehensive high school setting and matriculates through the K-12 education system without further incident.
COMMENTS:
According to the Alameda County Office of Education, writing in support of the bill:
While current law mandates that COEs have a designated staff person to serve as a transition liaison for court school students, there is no comparable mandate for school districts. AB 1659 will remedy that omission by ensuring that a school district staff person is identified to partner with COE staff to support students through these transitions, helping them enroll in appropriate courses and get credit for work completed.
According to the California Department of Education (CDE), California COEs operate 51 JCS throughout the state serving approximately 13,000 students annually who are on court-ordered detention. However, many of these students may be enrolled for only a matter of days or weeks, with more than half enrolled for fewer than 31 days according to the Youth Law Center. Further, one in four students who attend a JCS never re-enroll in any form of school, and this population has a graduation rate of 40% compared to the statewide average of 86%. Unsurprisingly, many school district administrators and personnel report educational information and credit transfer for these students is often significantly delayed. Several reports and studies done by the CDE, the Youth Law Center, ForwardChange, and Bishop all recommend or suggest that improved transition services, usually in the form of some type of point person or liaison, are essential to reducing recidivism and improving outcomes.
Prior Legislation. AB 1354 (Gipson), Chapter 756, Statutes of 2019, required COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a juvenile court school for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan and access to specified educational records upon release.
Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Heredia / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: March 18, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Darshana R. Patel, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1659 (
Author:Ransom) – As Amended Ver:March 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Juvenile court school pupils: joint transition planning policy: courses of study
SUMMARY: Requires school districts to designate at least one district staff member as a point person to help facilitate the transition of the pupil between public school and juvenile court schools (JCS). Specifically, this bill:
- Requires a school district in which a student has had contact with the juvenile justice system to designate at least one district staff member as a point person to help facilitate the transition of the pupil between public school and JCS. Requires the designated staff member to collaborate with the county office of education (COE) and county probation department throughout the calendar year to facilitate the following:
- The immediate enrollment of a student transferred from JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The timely transfer of education records when a student enters JCS, including the pupil’s individualized education program (IEP) and 504 plan, if applicable; and
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in a JCS.
- Requires the school district to inform the COE and county probation department of the staff member’s name and contact information;
- Restates existing law (Education Code (EC) 49069.5) that requires local education agencies (LEAs) to issue full and partial credits on an official transcript within two business days of foster youth transferring between public schools and JCS.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires COEs and county probation departments to have a joint transition planning policy to coordinate the transition of pupils between JCS and other public schools. Requires a COE to assign transition oversight responsibilities to existing COE personnel, who shall coordinate with the county probation department and relevant LEAs to ensure:
- The immediate enrollment of a pupil transferred from JCS in an appropriate public school in their community, and their immediate placement in appropriate courses;
- The transfer of education records, including an IEP and 504 plan, if applicable, within 72 hours of a pupil’s release from JCS;
- The acceptance of full or partial course credits for coursework completed by the student while enrolled in JCS;
- The implementation of the pupil’s transition plan, if one exists; and
- Access to information about postsecondary opportunities, including college financial aid. (EC 48647)
- Requires LEAs to accept full or partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed by a student while attending a public school, including JCS. (EC 48645.5, 51225.2.)
- Requires LEAs to provide educational records of transferring students to their next LEA within two business days of receiving the transfer notification. The records include, among other items, a transcript updated with full or partial credit for coursework completed by the student. (EC 49069.5).
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill has been keyed as a possible state-mandated local program by the Office of Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Need for the bill. According to the author, “Students who are justice-impacted are children who deserve stability, care, and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. AB 1659 provides greater support for these students by ensuring there is a designated point of contact when a student transitions back to their home school district upon release from a court school. This bill strengthens the partnership between the county office of education and the student’s home district to put the student first and establish a more effective transition support system. A smooth reintegration process will reduce disruptions to these students’ education and help them stay engaged, focused on their future, and moving toward success.”
Juvenile court schools. According to the CDE, the purpose of JCS is to provide mandated, compulsory public education for juvenile offenders who are under the protection or authority of the county juvenile justice system and are incarcerated in juvenile halls, juvenile homes, day centers, juvenile ranches, juvenile camps, or regional youth educational facilities. These schools are operated by COEs. In the 2023-24 school year, over 13,000 students were enrolled across 51 JCS school sites.
Students are often enrolled in JCS for only a period of days or weeks; more than half are enrolled for less than 31 days (Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind). Nevertheless, JCS enables students to complete course credits leading to a high school diploma. A minimum day program for JCS is 240 minutes, in alignment with public school requirements, and students must take all required public education assessments.
Upon release, or after the court terminates jurisdiction, students aged sixteen to eighteen who are not exempt from compulsory school attendance are required to continue their education. These students are provided with planning and transition services that are critical to a successful transfer back to a non-JCS school.
Delayed re-enrollment and credit transfer can impact graduation rates for JCS students. For students transferring out of JCS, delayed re-enrollment in public school is a serious concern. According to data from the CDE, 1 in 4 students (25%) who attend JCS schools never re-enroll in any form of school. In the 2023-24 school year, this amounted to nearly 3,000 students who dropped out of school before obtaining their diplomas.
Once JCS students are re-enrolled, delayed or inaccurate credit transfer is common. At a minimum this can cause inappropriate course placement, but it can also impact if and when a student has accumulated enough credit for graduation. According to the CDE, graduation rates for former JCS students were only 40% in 2023-24, compared to the statewide average of 86%. Perhaps more starkly, for schools that reported data that year, only 1 former JCS student met the requirements needed to apply to California State University or University of California. Helping JCS students receive the credits they earned, full or partial, is critical to ensuring their long-term success.
Current law requires schools to issue credit earned by specified highly mobile students within two days of receiving the transfer notice. However, school personnel report that credit transfer for JCS students is often significantly delayed. This bill reiterates that JCS students are included in the two-day transfer requirement. However, if schools are already struggling to meet this timeline, simply restating the requirement may not be a practical solution. Future legislation may wish to more specifically examine and address the root causes of delayed credit transfer for justice-involved youth.
Ultimately, the low graduation rate for justice-involved youth has serious consequences at both the individual and system level. Many studies have shown that dropping out of high school, especially for justice-involved youth, is one of the strongest predictors of future incarceration (Chandler, 2026). Conversely, school attendance and positive attitudes about school have a large, positive impact on preventing future delinquency (Wilson & Lipsey, 2024). Thus, ensuring that students leaving JCS have an immediate, smooth transition back into public school – in other words, a “warm handoff” – is critical for their future success.
District-level liaisons were recommended in a previous report to the Legislature. In 2016, the CDE released Juvenile Court Student Transition Statewide Work Group: Report and Recommendations to the Legislature, pursuant to AB 2276 (Bocanegra), Chapter 901, Statues of 2014. Their recommendations included the creation of a student transition team, comprised of designated transition liaisons at the COE, county probation department, and school district. While the first two positions have been created, the district personnel have not.
Improved administrative collaboration may smooth student transitions. Recently, a number of reports have confirmed the need for system-level collaboration, including:
- Youth Law Center, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, 2023: Investing in transition services and relationships with districts of origin is “imperative”;
- FowardChange, Fewer Chutes, More Ladders, 2026: System-level coordination is essential to reduce recidivism and improve the lives of youth;
- Bishop, Educational Planning of Court-Involved Youth, 2019: Establishing points of contact in each agency can enhance educational planning for court school youth.
This research confirms anecdotal evidence from California school administrators, who have observed that JCS students experience the best outcomes when their home district has a clearly identified person supporting their transitions. Current law requires COEs have designated transition personnel assisting students as they leave JCS, yet there are no corresponding designated personnel at the receiving school district. A warm handoff of the student from JCS to their next school district is difficult without a team of people working at both ends to help the student successfully re-enroll.
Equity implications. Justice-involved youth are often part of other vulnerable communities. In 2021-2022, 70% of California JCS students were Black and Latino; 20% were English Learners; 20% were students in foster care; and 30% were students with disabilities (Youth Law Center, 2023). As many as 40% may also have experienced homelessness, though this data is inconsistently reported. Thus, juvenile justice issues are intrinsically linked to equity issues. Strengthening the re-enrollment process for JCS students will likely improve outcomes, including attendance and graduation rates, for these vulnerable populations.
Arguments in Support: Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) writes: “When COEs and school districts work together to support smooth transitions, juvenile court school students are more likely to re-enroll promptly, get credit for work completed, and take appropriate courses to help them graduate. Without support, these vulnerable students can fall through the cracks, dropping out of school altogether and even ending up with more juvenile justice system involvement.
Current law mandates that COEs have a designated staff person to serve as a transition liaison for court school students, but there is no comparable mandate for school districts. AB 1659 will remedy that omission by ensuring that school district staff is identified to partner with COE staff to support students through these transitions, helping them enroll in appropriate courses and get credit for work completed.
ACOE’s mission is to equip the most vulnerable students and those who serve them with the tools to thrive. AB 1659 is firmly aligned with our mission because it will improve the support juvenile court school students, some of our most vulnerable students, receive during a particularly challenging time in their academic careers.”
Prior legislation. AB 2181 (Gipson), Chapter 703, Statutes of 2024, requires a juvenile court school operated by a COE to exempt a student from local graduation requirements of the COE, and to permit a student to remain enrolled to complete statewide coursework requirements for graduation, under specified conditions.
AB 1354 (Gipson), Chapter 756, Statutes of 2019, requires COEs to ensure that a student enrolled in a juvenile court school for more than 20 school days has an individualized transition plan and access to specified educational records upon release.
AB 1124 (Cervantes), Chapter 754, Statutes of 2017, permits the education rights holders of students enrolled in juvenile court schools to voluntarily defer or decline the issuance of a diploma for meeting state graduation requirements so that a student may take additional coursework at the juvenile court school or, once released, at a school operated by an LEA.
SB 304 (Portantino) of the 2017-2018 Session would have required each student detained for more than 20 consecutive schooldays to have an individualized transition plan and transition portfolio, and requires the individualized transition plan and transition portfolio to address specified issues. This bill was vetoed by the Governor with the following message:
I signed Assembly Bill 2276 in 2014, which requires a county office of education and probation department to develop a joint transition planning policy to assist students transitioning from juvenile court schools to other schools. I believe this provides sufficient guidance to get the job done.
AB 2306 (Frazier), Chapter 464, Statues of 2016, requires school districts to exempt former juvenile court school students who transfer into school districts after their second year in high school from local graduation requirements that exceed those of the state, and requires a COE to issue a diploma of graduation to a pupil who completes statewide coursework requirements for graduation while attending a juvenile court school.
AB 2276 (Bocanegra), Chapter 464, Statues of 2014, required the Superintendent, in consultation with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), to convene a statewide stakeholder group to develop a model for the immediate transfer of educational records, uniform systems for calculating and awarding credits, transition planning, and the immediate enrollment of pupils who are being transferred from juvenile court schools; and report recommendations for state action to the Legislature by January 1, 2016.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Disability Rights California
Children’s Defense Fund California
East Bay Community Law Center
California Youth Defender Center
Children Now
Association of California School Administrators
Alameda county Board of Education
Fres Lifelines for Youth
Equal Justice society
California County Superintendents
Office of the Riverside Couty superintendent of Schools
Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice
Alameda County Office of Education
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Sarah Cate Hawthorne / ED. / (916) 319-2087
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
