Assembly Higher Education Committee advances bills on student CalFresh access, midwifery training, direct CSU admission and campus immigration notices

The Assembly Higher Education Committee on May 20 advanced a slate of bills addressing student basic needs, workforce pipelines and campus safety, moving multiple measures on to policy and fiscal committees.

The committee advanced SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, which would add an opt‑in on the Cal Grant (Cal Grant application/Cal Grant-related) process so students who complete their Cal Grant application can be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and be connected to application support. Senator Ashby, the bill’s author, said the measure “streamlines access to CalFresh benefits by allowing students to receive a notification that they're potentially eligible for CalFresh when they complete their Cal Grant application.” AJ Johnson of California Competes and student witnesses described food insecurity among students and urged the committee to reduce barriers to enrollment in benefits programs. Multiple public higher‑education systems and student groups testified in support.

The committee also advanced SB 520, which would create the California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund to support establishment of master’s‑level nurse‑midwifery programs in California. Senator Caballero said California has only one remaining master’s nurse‑midwifery program and highlighted provider…