SB 98 became effective September 20, 2025. The bill establishes new requirements for school districts (including K-12 school districts, charter schools, county offices of education (collectively “LEAs”)), community college districts (CCDs), the California State University (CSU), and qualifying independent institutions of higher education when immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus. The Regents of the University of California (UC) are requested to comply with the bill’s requirements.
Because SB 98 contains an urgency clause, its requirements took effect immediately. SB 98’s requirements remain in effect until January 1, 2031, unless extended by future legislation.
Requirements for LEAs.
Existing law requires that LEAs adopt comprehensive school safety plans to address specified emergencies. SB 98 amends existing law to require that comprehensive school safety plans include procedures to notify parents and guardians of pupils, teachers, administrators, and school personnel when the school confirms the presence of immigration enforcement on campus.
Comprehensive school safety plans must be revised to comply with the requirements of SB 98 during their next review, but no later than March 1, 2026.
SB 98 does not dictate the content of the notice or its timing. LEAs maintain the sole discretion in determining the content and timing of the notice, but must prioritize student safety. LEAs may, but are not required to, include in the notice links to resources on educational rights, right to privacy, and counseling and support services available to support families impacted by immigration enforcement.
SB 98 also requires that charter schools review and update their comprehensive safety plans by March 1 of every year. Chartering authorities have discretion to deny a charter school’s petition if its comprehensive safety plan lacks procedures for notifying parents, guardians, teachers, administrators, and charter school personnel about immigration enforcement on campus.
Requirement for Community College Districts, CSU, and Institutions of Higher Education.
Existing law prohibits community college districts, the CSU, and qualifying institutions of higher education (Educational Institutions) from disclosing student and employee information to immigration agents, absent a judicial subpoena or warrant or as required by law. Existing law also requires compliance with various precautionary measures when federal immigration enforcement activities are undertaken on campuses.
SB 98 amends existing law to add a notice requirement upon confirmation that immigration enforcement is occurring on campus to the extent permitted by law. It requires that a campus notify all students, faculty, staff, and campus community members who work on campus when the presence of immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus.
The notice must include the following information, but it shall not contain personally identifiable information:
While SB 98 does not identify the means or method of providing this immigration enforcement notice, it is important that LEAs and Educational Institutions consider disseminating the notice in a way that does not create panic or fear.
(SB 98 amends Sections 47605 and 47605.6 of, amends, repeals, and adds Sections 32282 and 66093.3 of, and adds, repeals, and adds Section 47606.3 of, the Education Code.)