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AB 1851

Pupil health: social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Gipson

Establish a statewide Tier 1, universal social-emotional learning and behavioral health program for K–12, with guidance, PD, and MTSS alignment, funded if appropriated.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 1851

AB 1851 (2025-2026) — Pupil health: social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports

Overview

AB 1851, introduced by Assembly Member Gipson, would establish a statewide framework to support pupil social-emotional learning (SEL), behavioral health, and restorative practices across California schools. The bill would create a statewide Tier 1 program as part of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), provide guidance and professional development, and authorize use of existing Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative funds to implement these supports. Implementation is contingent on funding.

Purpose and intent

  • Promote universal, schoolwide Tier 1 supports to improve student well-being, climate, and safety.
  • Align SEL and behavioral health efforts with California’s guiding principles, trauma-informed practices, and existing state frameworks (MTSS, PBIS).
  • Reduce disciplinary disparities and long-term involvement in the justice system by preventing and addressing behavioral health needs early.
  • Use existing behavioral health funding without creating entitlement programs.

Key provisions and changes

New statewide program (Tier 1)

  • Establishment deadline: By July 1, 2027, the California Department of Education (CDE) must create a statewide Tier 1 SEL, behavioral health, and restorative justice education program.
  • Scope: Guidance, resources, and technical assistance to support Local Education Agencies (LEAs) implementing an integrated, universal Tier 1 approach for students in kindergarten through 12th grade (K–12) as part of MTSS.

Guidance and alignment

  • Develop guidance in consultation with field experts, including statewide SEL networks and CalHOPE.
  • Ensure guidance fits within existing systems (MTSS, PBIS) and promotes safe, inclusive learning environments.
  • Include engagement strategies for students, families, educators, and community partners.
  • Align with California’s SEL Guiding Principles, trauma-informed practices, Transformative SEL Competencies, and existing statewide frameworks.

Components of Tier 1 supports

  • Universal SEL instruction integrated across K–12.
  • Coping and stress-management skills.
  • Positive behavior development and relationship-building.
  • Restorative justice practices.
  • Early identification and referral pathways.
  • Developmentally appropriate younger-child supports.
  • Culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices.

Implementation and funding

  • Implementation must follow the department’s guidance, subject to funding and legislative approval.
  • Use of funds: Guidance and implementation are to be supported using funds appropriated for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (Budget Act of 2025) and contingent on an appropriation.
  • Who must implement: School districts, county offices of education (COEs), and charter schools may implement the guidance; charter schools may choose to implement.
  • Start of implementation: Encouraged to begin in the 2027–28 school year; full implementation would be phased in over at least three years, depending on local capacity and funding.

Professional development

  • LEAs must provide professional development to support implementation, targeting certificated and classified staff.
  • Topics include SEL integration, trauma-informed practices, child/adolescent development, relationship-centered approaches, restorative practices, and culturally responsive practices.
  • Target participation: At least 60% of school-site staff should participate in professional development over the course of implementation.

Monitoring, assessment, and continuous improvement

  • LEAs are encouraged to assess school climate and well-being using existing tools (e.g., California Healthy Kids Survey) to inform improvements.
  • CDE to identify and monitor existing implementation sites and learning hubs to collect data, evaluate outcomes, and guide scaling.
  • Metrics to assess include shifts in school climate, integration of practices into school culture, and improvements in adult capacity and student life skills.

Accountability and reimbursement

  • If the state mandates costs, reimbursement to local agencies and districts would follow existing state mandate reimbursement processes under Government Code provisions.

Who is affected

  • Local education agencies (LEAs): school districts, COEs, and charter schools will implement the guidance and provide professional development.
  • Pupils: K–12 students will receive universal SEL, behavioral health, and restorative practices supports.
  • Educators, staff, families, and community partners: engaged through guidance and professional development and through improved school climate.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Enactment and implementation timeline hinges on funding appropriations.
  • Key milestones:
    • By July 1, 2027: CDE to establish and publish statewide Tier 1 SEL/behavioral health/restorative justice program guidance.
    • 2027–28 school year: Encouraged start of implementation; full phasing in over at least three years.
  • Action history shows committee referrals and amendments (as of April 2026).

Fiscal and mandate considerations

  • The bill makes use of funds from the Budget Act of 2025 (Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative) and notes the implementation is contingent on an appropriation.
  • If the Commission on State Mandates determines costs are mandated, reimbursements would follow existing statutory processes.

This summary provides a non-partisan outline of AB 1851’s goals, main provisions, affected parties, and timelines based on the bill text and sponsor notes. If you’d like, I can compare AB 1851 to current California SEL/PBIS frameworks or draft a plain-language explainer for a particular audience (parents, teachers, or policymakers).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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