A Look at CA Assembly Bill 461 and a New, Much-Needed Approach to Truancy

Typically, October is a busy month for us as we are already a couple of months into the new school year; reality has set in, and winter/holiday breaks are fast approaching. Today’s focus comes from a lively topic of discussion that was posted on our Instagram last week: an update on CA Assembly Bill 461, which repeals a 2011 Truancy Law. That law provided for criminal misdemeanor charges, fines, and jail time for parents of chronically truant children or for a student over 18 with chronic truancy. The problem is that the law disproportionately affects low-income students and those with disabilities, some of whom are fighting for the accommodations and support they need. The new law repeals the 2011 law and sets forth a plan for supportive strategies instead of punishments. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

• The backfiring of the 2011 law: The first case prosecuted a person of color with a child with sickle-cell anemia while she was trying to get additional accommodations in place.
• Governor Newsome’s perspective on the new law, effective January 2026, is that this is a social issue and not a criminal problem.
• The problems families face in receiving attendance letters when they are actively trying to get their kids into school
• Many parents are trying to find ways to ensure it is safe for their child to go to school.
• Local change CAN happen!
• The new law offers a more collaborative approach to the truancy problem.
• The ramifications of the CA law that might spread to other states

Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org.

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