BILL NUMBER: SB 418	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Morrell

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to add Section 66026.5 to the Education Code, relating to
public postsecondary education.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 418, as introduced, Morrell. Public postsecondary education:
attendance.
   The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and
functions of the segments of the higher education system in the
state, including, among others segments, the California State
University, administered by the Trustees of the California State
University, and the California Community Colleges, administered by
the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
   This bill would require the Trustees of the California State
University to amend a specified California regulation by January 1,
2017, to provide that a student's absence due to serving in the
uniformed services shall not be considered an interruption in
attendance, if the total of those absences does not exceed five
years, as specified. By requiring community college districts to
change their student absence policy, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to conform
California law, Section 40401 of Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations, regarding approved absences for students at the
California State University and the California Community Colleges, to
federal law, Section 668.18 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, to extend the length of approved absences for students
actively serving in the uniformed services to five years.
  SEC. 2.  Section 66026.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66026.5.  The Trustees of the California State University shall
amend, by January 1, 2017, Section 40401 of Title 5 of the California
Code of Regulations to provide that the cumulative length of an
absence and of all previous absences from the California State
University or the California Community Colleges due to service in the
uniformed services, including only the time a student spends
actually performing service in the uniformed services, shall not be
considered an interruption in attendance, if the absence does not
exceed five years.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.