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Bill would protect school funding when absences stem from immigration‑enforcement activity
Summary
AB 13 48 would expand emergency attendance protections (J‑13a waiver process described in testimony) to include absences caused by immigration‑enforcement actions; supporters said the measure is needed to shield districts from funding losses when families avoid schools due to enforcement fear.
AB 13 48, introduced by Assemblymember Banes, would change attendance protections so that school funding is not reduced when student absences are caused by immigration‑enforcement activity. Supporters framed the bill as a hold‑harmless measure to prevent enforcement actions from eroding average‑daily‑attendance funding for districts serving immigrant families.
The author described spikes in absenteeism following the rescission of prior guidance that had discouraged enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools. Several witnesses, including Pamela Gibbs of the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the California Federation of Teachers, said they had observed increased absences in immigrant communities and argued the measure would prevent immediate funding shortfalls that would harm educational services.
Supporters framed the change as treating enforcement‑related absences like other emergency conditions that already qualify a district for attendance protections. They urged the committee to adopt AB 13 48 so districts are not forced to cut services for other students when absences spike due to enforcement actions.
The committee voted to refer the bill to Senate Judiciary. The vote carried with multiple members in favor; a few members recorded no votes.
