Bill > AB243

This bill aims to support students who have been in the foster care system or involved with the juvenile court by making it easier for them to obtain financial aid for higher education. The bill requires financial aid administrators at California State University, California Community Colleges, and the University of California to accept a sworn statement from authorized representatives of local educational agencies, child welfare departments, or probation departments as sufficient documentation when a student is seeking an adjustment to their financial aid dependency status. The sworn statement must include details about the student's relationship with their parents and why contacting them might be difficult or risky. Additionally, the bill allows personnel from these agencies to provide specific confidential information to higher education institutions to help foster youth or former juvenile court wards with tasks like applying, registering, enrolling, or obtaining financial aid. The information must be kept confidential, used only for specified purposes, and destroyed after three years. Institutions that intentionally violate the confidentiality provisions could face a misdemeanor charge with a fine up to $500. The bill applies to both public and private postsecondary educational institutions and is designed to reduce barriers for students who have been in the foster care or juvenile justice system.

Budget and Finance, Education, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB243