2021 Legislative Platform
Sponsored Legislation
SB 508 Student Mental Health
Summary: The suicide rate for children ages 10 to 14 has more than doubled in the last decade, yet children still have limited access to mental health services. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the youth mental health crisis. This bill would require health plans to collaborate with schools to provide mental health services to students. It would also make services more accessible by expanding the network of school-based mental health practitioners and use of telehealth.
Equity Impact: More mental health resources positively correlate with fewer suspensions, expulsions, and absences. This bill ensures that all students, regardless of health insurance provider or disability status, have easily accessible mental health resources that are integrated into a school campus and culture.
AB 568 Early Learning and Care Dashboard
Summary: Inequitable access to, and exclusion from, high-quality early learning and care (ELC) programs significantly contribute to the word gap, the academic achievement gap, and the graduation gap. By bringing together existing and new data on enrollment in, exclusion from, and location of ELC programs, state and local California policy makers can identify and address the practical and structural barriers that prevent Black and Hispanic children and families from receiving equitable access to high-quality ELC services.
Equity Impact: The ELC dashboard would ensure greater access to existing and new data that will help state and local policy makers and ELC providers make informed decisions about where to invest additional resources. The Dashboard will also help identify existing gaps and inequities in the availability of, and access to, early learning and care programs.
SB 692 Special Education Inclusion Act
Summary: Existing state policies and practices incentivize the segregation of students with disabilities into separate classes even when students are capable of performing at grade level. This bill would incentivize districts to place students with disabilities in the most inclusive environment that is appropriate by adding an existing federal indicator (least restrictive environment) to the state accountability dashboard. It would also incentivize districts to provide general education teachers with training and professional development on teaching strategies related to the most common mild/moderate disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism.
Equity Impact: This bill addresses the state’s low inclusion rates in K to 12th grade and furthers movement towards a single system in which “all kids are general education kids first.” Inclusive programs have been shown to increase academic and graduation outcomes for both special education and non-special education students.
Cosponsored Legislation
AB 1361 Early Learning and Care: Suspension and Expulsion
Summary: AB 1361 prohibits suspension and expulsion in state preschool and childcare programs, absent exceptional circumstances, and requires reporting when exclusion occurs. This bill would also strengthen early childhood mental health consultation as a means of providing adequate supports to teachers and families to promote positive mental health, buffer the effects of toxic stress and trauma, and create positive learning environments.
AB 1294 Removal of Childcare Pilot Sunset Date
Summary: This bill would make permanent the childcare subsidy pilot programs in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, which were originally created by AB 833 (Bonta, 2015) and AB 2368 (Gordon, 2016).
