AB 602: Public postsecondary education: student behavior: drug and alcohol use: rehabilitation programs.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, known as the Donahoe Higher Education Act, establishes the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California as the public segments of postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, and the governing board of every community college district to adopt or provide for the adoption of specific rules and regulations governing student behavior and to adopt procedures by which all students are informed of the rules and regulations, with applicable penalties, as provided. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, act to make a provision applicable.

Existing federal law requires, as a condition of receiving federal funds or other forms of financial assistance, institutions of higher education to annually distribute to each student and employee standards of conduct that clearly prohibit unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol, as provided, and a clear statement that the institution will impose sanctions for violations of the standards of conduct. Existing federal law characterizes the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program as a permissible form of the required sanctions.

This bill would require the Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the California State University, in adopting the above-described rules and regulations, to place in the highest priority the health, safety, and well-being of the campus community. The bill would also require those entities, on or before July 1, 2026, to adopt, or provide for the adoption of, rules and regulations that (1) prohibit students receiving medical treatment for the personal use of drugs or alcohol in violation of the rules and regulations governing student behavior from being subject to disciplinary action for that use of drugs or alcohol if they complete an appropriate rehabilitation program, as defined, and (2) require students who receive medical treatment for the personal use of drugs or alcohol in a manner that violates the rules or regulations of the university to be offered the chance to complete an appropriate rehabilitation program, as provided. The bill would establish that this prohibition on disciplinary action, and the requirement that the university offer an appropriate rehabilitation program, only apply to a student once in an academic semester, quarter, or term, as provided.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 159, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 11, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. September 4, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 60. Noes 12. Page 2916.).
5. September 3, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 3, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 32. Noes 6. Page 2426.).
7. July 15, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. July 14, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
9. July 2, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. June 16, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
11. June 11, 2025Referred to Com. on ED.
12. June 3, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.