AB 48 expands existing law by requiring a local educational agency (LEA) to develop homeless education program policies that are consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and use the resources developed by the state department of education and by the homeless education technical assistance centers established using the American Rescue Act of 2021 funds. The bill requires the policies to be updated every three years.
AB 48 further requires an LEA liaison for homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths to provide training at least annually to classified and certificated employees of the LEA who work with pupils experiencing homelessness. The training must consist of the following: (1) the homeless education program policies established; and (2) recognition of signs that pupils are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. The liaison must also notify these employees of the available training.
The bill encourages the training to be offered to all other classified and certificated employees who work with pupils.
The State Department of Education shall develop and implement a plan for monitoring the compliance of LEA to the extent possible. The implementation of the risk-based monitoring plan shall include reviews of the local education agencies that shall include, but not be limited to, school site inspections. The purpose of the monitoring is to ensure the state is not underestimating the number of youth experiencing homelessness.
(AB 408 adds Sections 48851.3 and 48852.3 to the Education Code.)