BILL NUMBER: AB 951INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Medina FEBRUARY 22, 2013 An act to add Section 48204.2 to the Education Code, relating to public schools. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 951, as introduced, Medina. Educational rights of homeless children: school district administrator and staff training. Existing law requires a school district to accept from the parent or legal guardian of a pupil reasonable evidence that the pupil meets the residency requirements for school attendance in the school district. Existing law prohibits this requirement from limiting access to pupil enrollment for a homeless child, without any proof or documentation of residency under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This bill would require a school district to ensure that all administrators and certificated and classified staff are properly trained regarding the rights of homeless children to receive educational services, including, but not limited to, an overview of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The bill would require a school district to ensure that sufficient public notice is provided to all parents and pupils regarding the educational rights of homeless children and would require a school district to designate a liaison between the school district and the homeless population to ensure that homeless children are identified and served. By requiring school districts to comply with these provisions, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 48204.2 is added to the Education Code, to read: 48204.2. (a) Each school district shall ensure that all administrators and certificated and classified staff are properly trained regarding the rights of homeless children to receive educational services. This training shall include an overview of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et seq.). (b) Each school district shall ensure that sufficient public notice is provided to all parents and pupils regarding the educational rights of homeless children. (c) Each school district shall designate a liaison between the school district and the homeless population to ensure that homeless children are identified and served. The liaison shall provide notice to homeless families at schools and in the community and facilitate access to school services including, but not limited to, transportation services. SEC. 2. 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.