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SB 1381

State special schools: information.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sabrina Cervantes

SB 1381 requires LEAs to inform families of state special schools for deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired students, and to include this info in IEPs starting 2027–28

Referred to Com. on ED.
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Bill Summary · SB 1381

Summary of SB 1381 (2025-2026) – California

Main purpose and intent

SB 1381, introduced by Senator Cervantes, aims to provide clearer information and options about state special schools (California School for the Deaf – Northern and Southern campuses, and California School for the Blind) to families of students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind. The bill adds explicit requirements for informing parents/guardians about the availability of state special schools and requires the local education agency (LEA) to share information about these schools as part of IEP processes beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

Key provisions and changes

  • Expanded parent/guardian notification (Education Code § 48980.2)

    • Current requirement: LEAs must notify parents/guardians of pupils about rights and district policies at the start of each school year.
    • SB 1381 adds that for pupils who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind, the notification must include information about the option to attend a state special school (California School for the Deaf or California School for the Blind, as applicable).

  • IEP team information requirement (Education Code § 56040.7)

    • Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, when an LEA develops, reviews, or revises an individual education program (IEP) for a pupil who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind, the IEP team must provide the pupil’s parent/guardian/educational rights holder with information about the relevant state special school (California School for the Deaf or California School for the Blind), as provided by the Department.

  • Departmental information provision by July 1, 2027

    • The California Department of Education must supply LEAs with information about the California School for the Deaf and the California School for the Blind to be used in the IEP process, starting no later than July 1, 2027.

  • Fiscal note and state costs

    • The bill acknowledges potential state-mandated costs on local agencies. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that costs are mandated by the state, reimbursements would follow established state procedures for mandated costs.

Who or what would be affected

  • Students: Pupils who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind.
  • Parents/Guardians/Educational Rights Holders: They would receive additional information about state special school options as part of parental notifications and IEP processes.
  • Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): LEAs must include state special school information in notifications and IEPs starting in 2027–28, and collaborate with the Department for the necessary information.
  • California Departments: California Department of Education would develop and supply the required information to LEAs by July 1, 2027.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective timeline:

    • Notification expansion for eligible students begins with the enhanced notice at the start of each school year (for eligible pupils).
    • Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, IEP teams must provide information about state special schools during IEP development/revisions.
    • The Department must provide the relevant information to LEAs by July 1, 2027.

  • Reimbursement considerations:

    • If the law imposes costs on local agencies that constitute a state-mandated program, reimbursement will be handled per existing government code provisions.

Overall impact

SB 1381 standardizes and elevates awareness of state special school options for families of students with significant sensory disabilities. It ensures families are informed of alternatives to district programs and strengthens the role of IEP teams in communicating about state-supported options. The bill is designed to inform decision-making and ensure alignment between district processes and state offerings, while including constitutional safeguards for potential mandated costs.

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

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