BILL NUMBER: SB 1914	CHAPTERED  07/05/00

	CHAPTER   88
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 5, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   JULY 5, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   JUNE 29, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JUNE 16, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 1, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 24, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Poochigian

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2000

   An act to add Section 47605.7 to the Education Code, relating to
charter schools.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1914, Poochigian.  Charter schools:  denial of petitions.
   Existing law provides the petition process for the establishment
of charter schools.  Existing law requires the entity reviewing the
petition to grant a charter for the operation of a charter school if
it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound
educational practices and prohibits the denial of a petition unless
the reviewing entity makes written factual findings, specific to the
particular position, to support one or more specified findings.
   This bill would prohibit the denial of a petition for the
establishment of a charter school based on the actual or potential
costs of serving individuals with exceptional needs.  The bill would
clarify that this prohibition shall not be construed to prevent a
school district from meeting its obligation to ensure that the
proposed charter school will meet the needs of individuals with
exceptional needs, nor shall it be construed to limit or alter the
reasons for denying a petition for the establishment of a charter
school.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 47605.7 is added to the Education Code, to
read:
   47605.7.  (a) A petition for the establishment of a charter school
shall not be denied based on the actual or potential costs of
serving individuals with exceptional needs, as that term is defined
pursuant to Section 56026.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), this section shall not be
construed to prevent a school district from meeting its obligation to
ensure that the proposed charter school will meet the needs of
individuals with exceptional needs in accordance with state and
federal law, nor shall it be construed to limit or alter the reasons
for denying a petition for the establishment of a charter school
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 47605.