The 2021 legislative session ended with eight CCA-supported bills being signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. While CCA-sponsored AB 1269 (Garcia) on equity for part-time faculty was placed in the suspense file, the following bills garnered the governor’s signature:

AB 245 (CHIU) – Educational Equity, Student Records, Name and Gender Changes

Requires California Community Colleges (CCC), UC and CSU institutions to update a former student’s records to include the student’s updated legal name or gender if the institution receives government-issued documentation from the student showing that their legal name or gender has been changed. Additionally, the institution will be required to reissue specified documents conferred upon, or issued to, the former student with their updated legal name or gender, if requested. This law also requires an institution to provide an option for a graduating student to request that the diploma to be conferred list the student’s chosen name, starting with the 2023-24 graduating class. Status: AB 245 was signed into law on Oct. 6.

AB 275 (MEDINA) – Community College Education Support Professionals

Shortens the maximum length of a probationary period for education support professionals to six months or 130 days of paid service, whichever is longer. This change would apply to a conflicting collective bargaining agreement entered into before Jan. 1, 2022, until the expiration or renewal of that collective bargaining agreement. Status: AB 275 was signed into law on Oct. 6.

AB 337 (MEDINA) – CCC Board of Governors

Eliminates the prohibition against a student member voting during their first year on the CCC Board of Governors, guaranteeing two student votes on the board. Status: AB 337 was signed into law on June 28.

AB 417 (MCCARTY) – Rising Scholars Network, Justice-involved Students

Authorizes the CCC Chancellor’s Office to establish the Rising Scholars Network and to enter into agreements with up to 50 community colleges to provide additional funds for services in support of postsecondary education for justice-involved students. AB 417 requires a community college district that wishes to participate in the Rising Scholars Network to apply to the board of governors for funding. The law also requires the board of governors to adopt regulations for the Rising Scholars Network that fulfill certain goals and guidance and submit a report every two years. Status: AB 417 was signed into law on Oct. 6.

AB 543 (DAVIES) – Public Postsecondary Education, Student Orientation, Calfresh

Requires CCC, UC and CSU institutions to provide educational and eligibility information about CalFresh to all incoming students for all campuses of their respective segments as a part of their student orientation. Status: AB 543 was signed into law on Oct. 6.

SB 436 (DAHLE) – Community Colleges, Nonresident Tuition

Extends the operation of the exemption of nonresident tuition fee for qualifying students of Lake Tahoe Community College (due to the college’s location on the border of California and Nevada). Status: SB 436 was signed into law on Oct. 6.

AB 367 (GARCIA) – Menstrual Products

Requires all public schools serving students in grades 6 to 12, the California State University and each community college district to stock their restrooms with menstrual products. Status: AB 367 was signed into law on Oct. 8.

SB 442 (NEWMAN) – School Districts and Community College Districts: Governing Board Elections: Charter Cities

Revises how changes can be made by county committees on school district organization authorized to approve petitions to adopt trustee-area elections, regardless of what a city charter may say on the subject including those with an established hybrid or independent redistricting commission. Status: SB 442 was signed into law on July 23.