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AB 602

Relating to: participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elijah Behnke and 20 co-sponsors

UC/CSU must prioritize health and allow a one-time-per-term non-disciplinary rehab option for students treated for drug/alcohol use, upon completing an appropriate program.

Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
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Bill Summary · AB 602

AB 602 (Haney) — Summary

Status: Chaptered — Approved by Governor Oct 1, 2025 (Chapter 159, Statutes of 2025)
Introduced: Feb 13, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 602 requires public four‑year university systems in California to prioritize campus health and safety by expanding non‑punitive, health‑focused responses to student drug and alcohol incidents. The Legislature expresses intent that UC and CSU campuses provide restorative justice approaches when appropriate.

Key provisions

  • Amends Education Code §66300 to add requirements for the Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the California State University when adopting student conduct rules.
  • Health & safety priority: UC and CSU must “place in the highest priority the health, safety, and well‑being of the campus community.”
  • Rehabilitation in lieu of discipline:
    • Students who receive medical treatment for personal use of drugs or alcohol and who violate conduct rules shall not be subject to disciplinary action for that drug/alcohol use if they complete an “appropriate rehabilitation program.”
    • Students in that situation must be offered the chance to complete such a program.
  • One‑time per term limit: The non‑disciplinary exemption and offer to participate in a rehabilitation program apply only once per academic semester, quarter, or term (as defined by the campus). Subsequent violations in the same term may be processed through disciplinary proceedings (which may still include an offer of rehabilitation).
  • Participation requirement: To qualify for the exemption, the student must participate in the rehabilitation program within the timeframe set by the campus administrator, pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §1011i. Failure to complete the program makes the student subject to regular disciplinary action.
  • Definition: “Appropriate rehabilitation program” includes counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or other diversion programs (e.g., meetings with a school counselor or a drug education group).
  • Records and reporting:
    • Institutions may include information about program completion and exemption in a student’s administrative file.
    • The bill does not alter state or federal crime‑reporting obligations for drug offenses.
  • Deadline: UC and CSU must adopt (or provide for adoption of) these rules on or before July 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Students at University of California and California State University campuses, campus disciplinary administrators, student health and counseling services.
  • Secondary: Campus judicial/disciplinary systems and programs offering counseling, treatment, diversion, or restorative justice services.
  • Community colleges: Existing general student conduct requirements remain; the new mandatory provisions explicitly target UC and CSU.

Procedural / fiscal notes

  • No state appropriation specified in the bill text. The Legislative digest notes referral to fiscal committee.
  • Legislative history: Multiple committee hearings and amendments in 2025; enrolled and presented to the Governor in September 2025; chaptered Oct 1, 2025.

Potential impacts

  • Encourages treatment‑focused responses to alcohol/drug emergencies, likely increasing referrals to campus counseling and diversion programs.
  • May reduce discipline for students seeking or receiving medical treatment related to substance use, subject to completion of rehabilitation.
  • Requires campuses to develop or revise policies, timelines, and administrative processes to implement the one‑time exemption and track program participation.

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

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