Bill > AB1155

This bill requires law schools in California to allow law students to receive compensation while simultaneously earning academic course credit for externships beginning August 1, 2026. The legislation addresses the high costs of legal education by enabling students to earn money during their required experiential learning experiences. Specifically, the bill defines an externship as field placement work at various types of organizations, including state agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit firms, and broadly defines compensation to include travel costs, stipends, hourly wages, and additional benefits. The bill applies to American Bar Association and California-accredited law schools at public universities and independent institutions, covering students pursuing Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.) degrees. Importantly, the legislation does not mandate that externship sites provide compensation, leaves existing course and site criteria unchanged, and requires students to maintain good academic standing. The bill aims to help offset the significant student debt burden, with the average California law student carrying $120,000 in loans, and follows a national trend of allowing paid externships without compromising educational quality.

Budget and Finance, Education, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1155