California Legislation

Many legislative changes were made that directly affect the welfare of undocumented students. Read below for a list on these changes!

 

Assembly bill 540 (AB 540):

Assembly Member Marco Antonio Firebaugh wrote the components of AB 540 in September 2001. Consequently, AB 540 became law when Governor Gray Davis signed this bill in October 2001. Firebaugh passed away in 2006, but his work remarkably inspired a new generation of non-traditional college students. For instance, out-of-state and undocumented students meeting the following criteria are eligible to pay in-state tuition at California State University, Fullerton.

What is AB 540 ?

California DREAM Act:

The California Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act was authored by California State Senator Gil Cedillo and was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. It was of two bills: Assembly Bills 130 and 131. Assembly Bill 130 allows undocumented students with AB 540 classification to apply for non-state funded scholarships. Assembly bill 131 allows Undocumented students with AB 540 classification to apply for state funded financial aid.

What is AB 130 and AB 131 ?

Assembly Bill 2000 (AB 2000):

Passed in September 2014, AB 2000 amends the school attendance requirement of AB 540 and designates that if a student has not attended a California High School for at least three years that portion of the eligibility criteria may be replaced by the following:

• Attainment of three years’ worth of high school credits from a California High School (equivalent to 3 or more years of full time high school coursework), and
• A total of 3 or more years of attendance in California elementary or secondary schools or a combination of those schools (the years do not have to be sequential)

What is AB 2000 ?

SENATE BILL 1210 (SB 1210):

Passed in September 2014, SB 1210 also called, “California DREAM Loan Program,” allows AB 540 undocumented students to receive state loans. Eligible undocumented students are able to receive up to $4,000/year or up to $20,000 for their whole school career.

What is SB 1210 ?

Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159):

Passed in September 2014, SB 1159 allows access to professional licenses to those without a social security number.

What is SB 1159 ?