SB 1381: State special schools: information.

Official summary

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

Existing law establishes the California School for the Deaf, Northern California, the California School for the Deaf, Southern California, known collectively as the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind as the state special schools, under the administration of the State Department of Education.

Existing law requires the governing board of a school district, at the beginning of the first semester or quarter of each school year, to notify parents or guardians of minor pupils of specified rights and responsibilities of the parent or guardian and of specified school district policies and procedures.

This bill would require the notification to a parent or guardian of a pupil who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind to additionally include information regarding the option for the pupil to attend a state special school, as provided. Commencing with the 2027–28 school year, if a local educational agency develops, reviews, or revises an individualized education program for a pupil who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind, the bill would require the individualized education program team of the local educational agency to provide the pupil’s parent, guardian, or educational rights holder with information about the state special schools and the option for the pupil to attend one of those schools, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2027, to provide that information to local educational agencies. By imposing additional duties on local educational agencies or local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

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. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 706, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 21, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 18, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 5516.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 13, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 13, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 72. Noes 0. Page 6159.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 6, 2026Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
8. August 5, 2026From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 5).
9. June 22, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. June 18, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 17).
11. May 26, 2026Referred to Com. on ED.
12. May 20, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.