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Bill to hold schools harmless for absences tied to immigration enforcement advances
Summary
The committee advanced AB 13 48 to protect school funding when student absences result from immigration enforcement actions; sponsors said the measure prevents fiscal harm to districts serving immigrant families, while some members expressed concern about fear messaging in communities.
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance AB 13 48, which would expand emergency attendance protections to cover student absences caused by immigration enforcement activities, so that districts do not lose state funding when attendance falls for such reasons.
Author Assemblymember Banes framed the bill as a response to rescinded federal policies that formerly discouraged enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools. "This administration is trying to erase immigrants from public spaces," Banes said in floor testimony, urging the Legislature to avoid making schools casualties of federal enforcement.
Pamela Gibbs of the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Tristan Brown of the California Federation of Teachers testified in support, saying reported spikes in absences after high‑profile enforcement actions have reduced average daily attendance and funding in districts with large immigrant populations. Gibbs said the absence gap translates directly into lost funding for schools serving vulnerable students.
Senator Choi expressed caution about unintended messaging, saying she worried a policy protecting funding could be interpreted as reinforcing fear that children are unsafe at school; she and other members urged careful outreach to reassure families that schools remain safe and to explain the protections in place. The author and supporters said the bill is targeted at fiscal relief, not a replacement of family outreach or legal protections.
The committee recorded a motion to refer AB 13 48 to Senate Judiciary; the bill passed committee 5‑2 and was placed on call for absent members.
Why it matters: Districts with concentrated immigrant populations reported steep attendance declines after enforcement incidents; because state funding follows average daily attendance, such declines can produce short‑term budget shortfalls that affect services.
What's next: AB 13 48 proceeds to the Senate Judiciary Committee for legal and procedural review.
