California 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB376 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/01/2023

                    CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 376Introduced by Assembly Member VillapuduaFebruary 01, 2023 An act to amend Section 69409 of, and to add and repeal Section 69439.1 of, the Education Code, relating to student financial aid. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 376, as introduced, Villapudua. Student financial aid: Cal Grant C: driver training programs: commercial motor vehicles.Existing law, the Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards, the Cal Grant C awards, and the Cal Grant T awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for these awards for participating students attending qualifying institutions. Existing law requires a Cal Grant C award to be used only for occupational or technical training in a course of not less than 4 months. Existing law requires the commission to consult with appropriate state and federal agencies to identify areas of occupational and technical training for which students may use Cal Grant C awards and to regularly review and update those areas at least every 5 years, as provided.Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, no later than June 5, 2020, to adopt regulations related to entry-level driver training requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including specified minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training and in compliance with the requirements of certain federal regulations.This bill would additionally authorize a Cal Grant C award to be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than 4 months that comply with those driver training regulations and are offered at qualifying institutions. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission to classify an institution as a qualifying institution if its driver training program has a graduation rate of at least 30% and has been approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Under existing law, if the act becomes operative, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in a qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program would be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.If the Cal Grant Reform Act becomes operative, this bill would additionally authorize, until January 1, 2028, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in an entry-level driver training program of less than 4 months that complies with those driver training regulations and is offered at a qualifying institution to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69409 of the Education Code is amended to read:69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.SEC. 2. Section 69439.1 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 69439, to read:69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 376Introduced by Assembly Member VillapuduaFebruary 01, 2023 An act to amend Section 69409 of, and to add and repeal Section 69439.1 of, the Education Code, relating to student financial aid. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 376, as introduced, Villapudua. Student financial aid: Cal Grant C: driver training programs: commercial motor vehicles.Existing law, the Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards, the Cal Grant C awards, and the Cal Grant T awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for these awards for participating students attending qualifying institutions. Existing law requires a Cal Grant C award to be used only for occupational or technical training in a course of not less than 4 months. Existing law requires the commission to consult with appropriate state and federal agencies to identify areas of occupational and technical training for which students may use Cal Grant C awards and to regularly review and update those areas at least every 5 years, as provided.Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, no later than June 5, 2020, to adopt regulations related to entry-level driver training requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including specified minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training and in compliance with the requirements of certain federal regulations.This bill would additionally authorize a Cal Grant C award to be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than 4 months that comply with those driver training regulations and are offered at qualifying institutions. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission to classify an institution as a qualifying institution if its driver training program has a graduation rate of at least 30% and has been approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Under existing law, if the act becomes operative, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in a qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program would be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.If the Cal Grant Reform Act becomes operative, this bill would additionally authorize, until January 1, 2028, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in an entry-level driver training program of less than 4 months that complies with those driver training regulations and is offered at a qualifying institution to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO 





 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION

 Assembly Bill 

No. 376

Introduced by Assembly Member VillapuduaFebruary 01, 2023

Introduced by Assembly Member Villapudua
February 01, 2023

 An act to amend Section 69409 of, and to add and repeal Section 69439.1 of, the Education Code, relating to student financial aid. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 376, as introduced, Villapudua. Student financial aid: Cal Grant C: driver training programs: commercial motor vehicles.

Existing law, the Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards, the Cal Grant C awards, and the Cal Grant T awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for these awards for participating students attending qualifying institutions. Existing law requires a Cal Grant C award to be used only for occupational or technical training in a course of not less than 4 months. Existing law requires the commission to consult with appropriate state and federal agencies to identify areas of occupational and technical training for which students may use Cal Grant C awards and to regularly review and update those areas at least every 5 years, as provided.Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, no later than June 5, 2020, to adopt regulations related to entry-level driver training requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including specified minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training and in compliance with the requirements of certain federal regulations.This bill would additionally authorize a Cal Grant C award to be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than 4 months that comply with those driver training regulations and are offered at qualifying institutions. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission to classify an institution as a qualifying institution if its driver training program has a graduation rate of at least 30% and has been approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Under existing law, if the act becomes operative, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in a qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program would be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.If the Cal Grant Reform Act becomes operative, this bill would additionally authorize, until January 1, 2028, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in an entry-level driver training program of less than 4 months that complies with those driver training regulations and is offered at a qualifying institution to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.

Existing law, the Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards, the Cal Grant C awards, and the Cal Grant T awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for these awards for participating students attending qualifying institutions. Existing law requires a Cal Grant C award to be used only for occupational or technical training in a course of not less than 4 months. Existing law requires the commission to consult with appropriate state and federal agencies to identify areas of occupational and technical training for which students may use Cal Grant C awards and to regularly review and update those areas at least every 5 years, as provided.

Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, no later than June 5, 2020, to adopt regulations related to entry-level driver training requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including specified minimum hours of behind-the-wheel training and in compliance with the requirements of certain federal regulations.

This bill would additionally authorize a Cal Grant C award to be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than 4 months that comply with those driver training regulations and are offered at qualifying institutions. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission to classify an institution as a qualifying institution if its driver training program has a graduation rate of at least 30% and has been approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.

The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Under existing law, if the act becomes operative, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in a qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program would be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.

If the Cal Grant Reform Act becomes operative, this bill would additionally authorize, until January 1, 2028, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in an entry-level driver training program of less than 4 months that complies with those driver training regulations and is offered at a qualifying institution to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69409 of the Education Code is amended to read:69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.SEC. 2. Section 69439.1 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 69439, to read:69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 69409 of the Education Code is amended to read:69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.

SECTION 1. Section 69409 of the Education Code is amended to read:

### SECTION 1.

69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.

69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.

69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. (3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.



69409. Pursuant to the long-term policy of the Cal Grant Reform Act Program established pursuant to Section 69407, the commission shall make awards under the Cal Grant Program for payment of tuition or student fees, nontuition costs, or both tuition or student fees and nontuition costs, in accordance with the following:

(a) The commission shall determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, and the timelines and procedures for the distribution of those awards, under this chapter. In determining those timelines and procedures, the commission shall take into consideration the relevant academic calendars of high schools and postsecondary educational institutions and shall ensure that students and their families have sufficient time to complete the application process and, once the results of that process are known, to make informed decisions about achieving the students educational goals with any available Cal Grant award.

(b) (1) As a continuation of the Cal Grant C Program established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022, January 1, 2024, an otherwise eligible student enrolled in qualifying occupational and technical training program who would have been eligible for aid under the Cal Grant C Program, shall be eligible to receive a prorated Cal Grant award as specified in the Budget Act.

(2) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall be defined and determined based on the criteria established under Article 6 (commencing with Section 69439) of Chapter 1.7, as it read on December 31, 2022. January 1, 2024. 

(3) A qualifying occupational and technical training program shall also include, until January 1, 2028, an entry-level driver training program as described in Section 69439.1, as that section read on January 1, 2024.

SEC. 2. Section 69439.1 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 69439, to read:69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2. Section 69439.1 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 69439, to read:

### SEC. 2.

69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.



69439.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 69439, commencing January 1, 2024, a Cal Grant C award may also be used for entry-level driver training programs of less than four months that are compliant with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 15250.1 of the Vehicle Code and that are offered at qualifying institutions, as determined by the commission. The commission shall classify an institution as a qualifying institution if the graduation rate of the driver training program is at least 30 percent and if the driver training program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as established pursuant to Section 94875.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.