Legislative Bills for Students Experiencing Homelessness
This document is an overview of legislative billls that impact Title I HOPE students.
Overview of Legislative Bills Applicable to Title I HOPE Students (1).pdfSB 147 Awarding Full or Partial Credit
In conjunction with CCSD’s SB147 Accepted Practices document, special considerations must be recognized for implementation. Per the McKinney-Vento federal law, just as eligibility is determined on a case by case basis, the decision to award full or partial credit must take additional considerations into account. SB147 is intended to fill the academic gap for students experiencing homelessness, advising districts and schools to provide additional support when appropriate.
SB 354 Suspension/Expulsion Guidance for Homeless
AN ACT relating to education; … providing for the inclusion of unaccompanied pupils and pupils in foster care in certain procedures related to the discipline of pupils; providing for the consideration of homelessness and being in foster care in the discipline of pupils; extending the requirement to establish a plan of action based on restorative justice to the suspension and removal of pupils from public school; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
A homeless pupil or a pupil in foster care who is at least 11 years of age may be suspended or expelled from school pursuant to this section only if a determination is made that the behavior that led to the consideration for suspension or expulsion was not caused by homelessness or being in foster care. The person responsible for making a determination of whether or not the behavior was caused by homelessness or being in foster care shall presume that the behavior was caused by homelessness or being in foster care unless the person determines that the behavior was not caused by homelessness or being in foster care pursuant to this subsection. A determination that the behavior was not caused by homelessness must be made in consultation with the local educational agency liaison for homeless pupils designated in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11301 et seq., or a contact person at a school, including, without limitation, a school counselor or school social worker. A determination that the behavior was not caused by being in foster care must be made in consultation with an advocate for pupils in foster care at the school in which the pupil is enrolled or the school counselor of the pupil.
AB 197 Access to Healthcare for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Under 18
If a student under the age of 18 qualifies as homeless, is verified by the Title I HOPE office as an unaccompanied homeless youth, and requires access to healthcare, please contact the Title I HOPE office for guidance. If applicable, a letter may be provided stating the student is living apart from their parents or legal guardian and their living situation qualifies them under the McKinney-Vento Act. Please note the letter is not distributed widely, but on a case by case basis.