Governor Signs Ransom’s Bill to Keep Students Connected to School and Focused on Their Future

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom's AB 1659 into law, establishing stronger transition support for justice-impacted students returning from juvenile court schools to their home school districts.

Under the new law, receiving school districts must designate an existing staff member to serve as a point of contact and coordinate with county education officials during a student's transition. This coordination will help students re-enroll sooner, receive appropriate course placements, transfer their records, and receive credit for coursework they have already completed. The law also strengthens timelines for issuing transcripts to highly mobile students.

"Students who are justice impacted are, first and foremost, children who deserve stability, care and support, especially during major transitions in their lives. With AB 1659 now law, we are putting some of our most vulnerable students first and making sure they have support when they need it most. That is how we help close achievement gaps and keep students connected to their education and focused on their future."

-Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom

"The passage of AB 1659 helps ensure that students returning from court school do not fall through the cracks and can return to their home school districts without delay, stay engaged, and continue moving toward graduation," said Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro, whose office sponsored AB 1659. "We thank Governor Gavin Newsom for signing this important legislation and for his strong support of public education in California throughout his administration, and commend Assemblymember Ransom for her leadership in authoring the bill."

More than 13,000 students attended California juvenile court schools during the 2023-24 school year, while the dropout rate among court school students has been measured at more than five times the statewide rate.

By placing responsibility on both sides of the transition, AB 1659 helps prevent delays that can cause students to disengage from school entirely. The law does not require districts to hire new personnel. Instead, it ensures schools and county education officials work together to keep students connected to their education and on track toward graduation.