This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

(2) Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary education in this state. Under this system, local educational agencies throughout the state provide instruction and other services to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Pupils who seek to continue their education in postsecondary educational institutions, and who wish to apply for financial aid, are generally required to apply for this aid through certain standardized forms, which, for most pupils, include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and, for certain pupils, include the California Dream Act application.

This bill would require a school district, county office of education, or charter school to ensure that a grade 12 pupil who has not opted out, as specified, completes and submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or, if the pupil is exempt from paying nonresident tuition under existing law, completes and submits a form for purposes of the California Dream Act. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission, on or before July 1, 2022, to adopt regulations that include model opt-out forms and acceptable use policies for the purpose of providing guidance with applicable state laws. The bill would require the school district, county office of education, or charter school to exempt a pupil or the pupil’s parent or legal guardian from completing a form if the local educational agency determines the pupil is unable to complete the form, and would prohibit a pupil’s ability to graduate from being affected by a pupil’s failure to fill out a form. By imposing additional duties on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.