California Assembly Bill AB951 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 951AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2013 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 amended, Medina. Educational rights of homeless children:  local educational agency liaison:  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.   This bill would, if a local educational agency designates a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, require the local educational agency to ensure that the liaison is 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 the designated liaison to provide notice to homeless families at schools and in the community of the educational rights of homeless children and youth and to facilitate access to school services including, but not limited to, transportation services.   The bill would, as a condition of receiving a grant funded by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, require the State Department of Education to require a local educational agency that applies for a grant to designate a local educational agency liaison to train its school administrators and certified and classified staff at least once a year regarding the educational rights of homeless children and youth, as specified.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program:  yes   no  . 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   If a local educational agency designates a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths pursuant to Section 11432(g) (1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, that local educational agency    shall ensure  that all administrators and certificated and classified staff are   that the liaison is  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.).  The designated local educational agency liaison shall provide notice to homeless families at schools and in the community of the educational rights of homeless children and youth and facilitate access to school services including, but not limited to, transportation services.   (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.   (b) As a condition for receiving a grant funded by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et seq.), the department shall require a local educational agency that applies for a grant to designate a local educational agency liaison to train its school administrators and certified and classified staff at least once a year regarding the educational rights of homeless children and youth to ensure homeless children and youth are receiving the services that they need in order to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school. This training shall include an overview of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et seq.).   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.