Bill Text: CA AB968 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

California Assembly Bill 968 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Postsecondary education: transcripts.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)

Status: (Vetoed) 2016-01-15 - Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file. [AB968 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB968-Enrolled.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 968	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Williams
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Bonilla, Cristina Garcia, Lackey,
Low, McCarty, Rendon, and Waldron)

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2015

   An act to add Section 66304 to the Education Code, relating to
postsecondary education.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 968, Williams. Postsecondary education: transcripts.
   Under existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, the segments
of postsecondary education in this state include the University of
California, the California State University, the California Community
Colleges, independent institutions of higher education, and private
postsecondary educational institutions. A provision of the act
applies to the University of California only to the extent that the
Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution,
act to make the provision applicable.
   This bill would amend the act to require the governing board of
each community college district, the Trustees of the California State
University, the Regents of the University of California, the
governing body of each independent institution of higher education,
and the governing body of each private postsecondary educational
institution to indicate on a student's transcript when the student is
ineligible to reenroll due to suspension or expulsion for the period
of time the student is ineligible to reenroll. For community college
districts only, the bill would delay the implementation of this
requirement until July 1, 2016. The bill would find and declare that
the disclosure of student suspensions and expulsions on student
transcripts ensures the integrity and transparency of student
transcripts and the safety and security of California campuses. By
requiring community college districts to provide for the notation of
transcripts, 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.



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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) At public and private colleges and universities across
California, the student academic transcript is recognized as the
official record of a student's academic progress from admission until
separation from the institution.
   (b) The transcript is often the only document that must accompany
a student in the process of transferring to another institution, and
it is thus important for both students and institutions that the
transcript accurately reflects the student's performance.
   (c) A violation of a student code of conduct, including the
commission of sexual assault, can result in a student being
temporarily or permanently separated from an institution.
   (d) Significant inconsistencies exist in current policies and
practices related to the notation of disciplinary dismissals on
student transcripts.
   (e) The absence of this pertinent information can put a receiving
institution and its students at risk, and may raise liability
concerns for the institution from which the student transfers.
   (f) The disclosure of student suspensions and expulsions on
student transcripts ensures the integrity and transparency of student
transcripts and the safety and security of California campuses.
  SEC. 2.  Section 66304 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66304.  (a) The governing board of each community college
district, the Trustees of the California State University, the
Regents of the University of California, the governing body of each
independent institution of higher education, and the governing body
of each private postsecondary educational institution shall indicate
when a student is ineligible to reenroll due to suspension or
expulsion on the student's transcript for the period of time the
student is ineligible to reenroll.
   (b) For community college districts only, the requirement
specified in subdivision (a) shall become operative on July 1, 2016.
  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.