California Special Session

On November 7, Governor Newsom announced the convening of a Special Session to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration." The Special Session, which allows the Legislature to convene and address specific issues or topics outside of the regular legislative schedule, will focus on bolstering California's legal resources to protect "civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families." The Special Session met for the first time following the swearing-in of new members on December 2, 2024, and will reconvene on January 6, 2025.

Special Session Bills to Watch:

  • SBX1 1 (Wiener):
    • $35 million for the Attorney General's office for litigation efforts against the federal government and for actions taken by the federal government.
      • $25 million to be used for state legal actions.
      • Up to $10 million for city attorneys and county counsels for similar litigation efforts.
      • $10 million for the Equal Access Fund (EAF) to provide legal services.
      • $10 million for One California to fund immigration legal services.
      • $5 million for the California Access to Justice Commission to support infrastructure data security projects to protect client, staff, and volunteer data.
  • ABX1 1 (Gabriel):
    • $25 million for the Department of Justice to cover costs of potential litigation related to the new federal administration.
  • ABX1 2 (Gabriel):
    • $500k to fund initial case preparation at the Department of Justice.

Special Session Resources:

  • The Governor's office released the following factsheet about priorities for the special session.
  • Read more about what's next in the special session here.

2024 Legislative Highlights

Successful Legislation

  • AB 1808 (Nguyen and Davies) - Creating Consistency in Eligibility Periods Across Child Care Programs
    • Would establish a consistent 24 month eligibility period for all income-eligible families within CalWORKs.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/22/24.
  • SB 1112 (Menjivar) - Creating a Cross-Enrollment System
    • Would require coordination and collaboration between Medi-Cal and Alternative Payment Agencies to assist families with Medi-Cal enrollment of an eligible child and to refer Medi-Cal recipients to additional developmental screenings and interventions.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/30/24.
  • AB 2343 (Schiavo) - Allowing Enhanced Support for CalWORKs Childcare Programs
    • Would specify that there are no restrictions for agencies administering CalWORKs Stage 1 and Stage 2 child care programs from providing enhanced support and navigation for families experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or both.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/29/24.
  • AB 1907 (Pellerin) - Integrating CANS into the California Child and Family Review System
    • Would require outcome indicators used by the California Health and Human Services Agency workgroup (used to review all county child welfare systems) to include data from the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment tool.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/29/24.
  • AB 2123 (Papan) - Increasing Access to Paid Family Leave
    • Would allow California employees to access Paid Family Leave benefits without first using up their two weeks of accrued vacation.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/29/24.
  • SB 1090 (Durazo) - Allowing Early Application for Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance Benefits
    • Would allow California Workers to apply for Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance benefits up to 30 days before they go on leave.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Signed by the Governor on 9/28/24.
  • SB 380 (Limón) - (Formerly Early Learning and Care: Rate Reform) Amended to California State Preschool Programs: Age of Eligibility
    • SB 380 would allow California preschool contractors to enroll eligible 2-year-old children until July 1, 2027. After which, contractors may only continue serving 2-year-olds enrolled before July 1, 2027.
    • Status: Adopted in Trailer Bill SB 163: Early Learning and Childcare. Signed by Governor on 7/2/2024.

Stalled Legislation

  • AB 2206 (Addis) - Reducing Fire Clearance Requirements for Child Daycare Facilities
    • Would no longer require a child daycare facility to obtain a revised fire clearance for the addition of each nonambulatory child once approved for enrollment. This would apply to child care facilities that obtained clearance before January 1, 2025.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Held in first chamber.
  • AB 1925 (Rendon) - Extending Child Care and Development Program Eligibility
    • Would add children who are eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to the eligibility criterion for General Child Care and Development programs.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Held in first chamber.
  • AB 2476 (Bonta) - Establishing Up-Front Child Care Payments
    • Would ensure that child care providers that receive payment through California's Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) receive payment prior to providing services.
    • View Fact Sheet
    • Status: Passed in first chamber. Held in second chamber.

Note: What’s a 2 year bill?

  • The California Legislature convenes in biennial sessions (2 years long).
  • Bills may be introduced in either year. (odd # year - even # year; the current session is 2023-2024)
  • A bill introduced in the first year can be carried over to the second year.
  • It must pass in the house of origin by 1/31 of the second year.

(last updated 12/18/24)

2023 Legislative Highlights

Successful Legislation

  • AB 110 - Early childcare and education.
    • Authorizes temporary rate increases for childcare providers and contractors.
    • Extends the prohibition on collecting family fees through September 30, 2023, and allocates previously appropriated federal funds for childcare access expansion and family fee waivers in the 2023–24 fiscal year.
    • Signed by Governor on 5/15/2023.
  • AB 590 (Hart) - Advance Payments for State Grants & Nonprofits
    • Authorizes nonprofits to get upfront funds, removing the burden of covering significant expenses until reimbursed or having to take out high interest loans to get new programs going.

Stalled Legislation

  • AB 51 (Bonta) - Early childcare and education.
    • Would expand R&R services to include navigation and referral services for preschool and TK programs.
    • 9/13/23: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Ashby.
    • For most recent status and language, click here.
  • AB 1038 (Rendon) - Family childcare home education networks.
    • Would codify standards and best practices for FCCHEN contractors and providers.
    • 9/12/23: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Dahle.
    • For most recent status and language, click here.
  • SB 533 (Limón) - Income taxes: credit: childcare.
    • Would create a tax credit of as much as $30,000 for the start-up costs of childcare programs or centers primarily for the taxpayer's employees.
    • 1/18/24: Did not clear suspense file.
  • SB 767 (Rubio) Elementary education: kindergarten.
    • Would require public school students to finish one year of kindergarten before entering first grade.
    • 1/18/24: Did not clear suspense file.

(last updated 1/25/2024)