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 shortages and maternal health disparities. Paris Maloufberry of the California Nurse Midwives Association and Britney Mvong of the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center in Fresno urged the fund as a way to build workforce capacity in rural and underserved areas.

On higher‑education pipelines, the committee advanced SB 640, a direct‑admissions bill that would automatically send qualified graduating high‑school seniors an admission letter from eligible California State University campuses if the student’s school participates in the state College Guidance Initiative and the student meets CSU eligibility standards. Senator Cabaldon said the aim is to reduce “undermatch” and remove application barriers for students who qualify for CSU admission but do not apply.

Legislators also advanced SB 550, a pilot directing San Jose State University to partner with a nonprofit, state‑accredited law school to offer joint J.D. training and undergraduate legal studies certificates. The bill’s author, Senator Cortese, described the pilot as a step to expand affordable local access to legal education in a large, diverse region without a public law school; opponents including University of California and private college representatives urged the issue be addressed through broader master‑plan and statewide workforce planning.

SB 98, the SAFE Act, would require k‑12 schools and higher‑education institutions to notify students, parents and staff when immigration‑enforcement agents are present on campus. Senator Perez and student witnesses said timely campus notification would reduce panic and help preserve safe access to education; the measure drew strong support from education, student and immigrant‑rights groups and sharp criticism from at least one member who warned of unintended consequences.

SB 323 would make the California Dream Act application (CADAA) permanently available to California students regardless of federal‑aid eligibility and require clearer state communication about financial‑aid options. Sponsors said the bill creates a stable state on‑ramp for students who face federal FAFSA technical issues or data‑sharing concerns.

Other measures advanced included SB 494 (parity for classified‑employee disciplinary appeal hearings), and SB 744 (a measure providing a state “safe harbor” approach if recognized regional accrediting agencies were to lose federal recognition), among others that were taken up in committee during the hearing.

Where testimony included data or specifics, committee witnesses quoted them on the record: Mario Guerrero, testifying for the University of California on SJR 4 (a resolution urging restoration of NIH funds), said the UC has “about 300,000,000 in canceled grants, to date.” Senator Caballero said more than 52 maternity units have closed statewide in the last decade when presenting SB 520.

Committee members asked implementation and equity questions across bills: for SB 640 they pressed on how dual‑enrollment and special‑education (IEP) students would be handled; for SB 520 members asked how the fund would prioritize programs serving areas of demonstrated workforce need; and for SB 98 members debated operational details and scope of required notifications.

The committee approved motions to move the bills to their next committees (Appropriations, Human Services, Judiciary, as applicable) for further fiscal review or legal policy consideration. Several measures were passed with roll calls and recorded votes; others were passed unanimously or by voice votes and were placed on the appropriate suspense or fiscal agendas for follow‑up.

The committee’s action sends a mix of student‑support bills and workforce/credentialing proposals to later fiscal or policy review, where funding details and technical amendments will be resolved. Sponsors and supporters said they plan follow‑up work with affected campuses, systems and stakeholders to refine implementation language where needed.