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Assembly committee advances SB 98 to require campus notification when immigration enforcement is present
Summary
SB 98 (SAFE Act) would require K–12 and higher‑education institutions to notify students, staff and parents when immigration enforcement agents are present on campus or adjacent grounds; the bill drew bipartisan co‑authors and broad support from student groups, community organizations and educators, and the committee passed it to Appropriations.
Sen. Perez presented SB 98, the SAFE Act, which would require k–12 schools and colleges to notify parents, students, faculty and staff when immigration enforcement agents are present on campus. Committee members and dozens of witnesses debated the measure; supporters said timely notification preserves learning environments and protects vulnerable students, while one member called the bill “inflammatory” and voiced opposition.
Why it matters: Witnesses described recent instances where immigration enforcement agents approached schools and the chilling effect on attendance, class instruction (including ESL classes) and student mental health. Alicia Macbal (Student Senate for California Community Colleges) and Lucia Hermoso (UC Student Association/UC Santa Barbara) testified that notification protocols would reduce panic and help parents and students make informed safety decisions.
Support and opposition: The bill drew broad support from campus groups, K–12 districts, immigrant‑rights and labor organizations, and county offices of education. The University of California and numerous higher‑education and student groups were sponsors or co‑sponsors during the hearing. Assemblymember DeMaio spoke in strong opposition at length, arguing the measure would be inflammatory and impractical; the exchange was part of a pointed floor‑level debate.
Outcome: The committee voted to pass SB 98 to the Appropriations Committee. Vote recorded in committee: 7 ayes, 2 nos, 1 not voting (see provenance). Supporters said the bill uses existing emergency notification tools to alert communities when enforcement activity occurs on campus.
