What’s New in Early Learning Policy: Key Bills Signed This Month
As we head into the final days of the Governor signing, and occasionally vetoing, bills that have made it to his desk, this has been a big year for early learning, and we're proud that EveryChild California members and partners helped shape so many of these efforts. Through countless conversations, testimonies, and amendment reviews, our work has centered on our community’s voices.
Together, we helped strengthen bills, clarify language, and make sure that the realities of educators, families, and administrators were represented in Sacramento. Most of the bills we supported have now been signed, or are just waiting out the clock to automatically become law. Here's where things stand and what’s next for our field:
AB 49, School Sites: Immigration Enforcement
Status: Signed by the Governor on October 7, 2025
What it does: Protects students and families by prohibiting immigration enforcement officers from entering nonpublic school areas without valid ID and a court-issued warrant or subpoena. Also limits disclosure of student records without consent or a court order.
AB 495, Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025
Status: Awaiting Governor’s signature
What it does: Ensures every school and licensed child care facility has a family preparedness plan to keep children safe and cared for during emergencies or family separations.
AB 607, CalWORKs Home Visiting Program
Status: Signed October 6, 2025
What it does: Expands home visiting eligibility to families with children under age three, allows participation for up to 24 months (or longer, depending on the model), and supports continued participation for families who leave CalWORKs.
AB 753, Child Care: Facility Licensure & Teacher Requirements
Status: Awaiting Governor’s signature
What it does: Creates an interim Associate Teacher pathway to help address workforce shortages while upholding quality. Educators can begin teaching with six ECE or child development units and have two years to complete full coursework. Also allows provisional licensure for centers that are nearly in compliance.
AB 1123, Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Membership
Status: Chaptered October 1, 2025
What it does: Updates the membership of the CTC to better reflect the diversity and needs of today’s education workforce.
SB 271, Postsecondary Education: Students with Dependent Children
Status: Signed October 10, 2025
What it does: Expands access to on-campus child care and supports for parenting students.
SB 568, Pupil Health: Epinephrine Delivery Systems
Status: Awaiting Governor’s signature
What it does: Requires schools and child care sites to have readily available epinephrine delivery systems and clear emergency procedures.
SB 778, Migrant Child Care and Development Programs
Status: Signed October 10, 2025
What it does: Strengthens and stabilizes migrant child care programs to support children whose families move for agricultural work.
SB 792, Child Care: Stage 3
Status: Awaiting Governor’s signature
What it does: Updates the Stage 3 program by aligning income eligibility with 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) and clarifying attendance and family fee provisions.
Even after bills become law, the work isn’t done. Speaking up during legislation implementation is advocacy, too. As these laws roll out, your experiences (what’s working, what’s confusing, and what needs more support) help us ensure our current conversations with policymakers and future legislation reflects the real needs of the field.
Please continue sharing your questions and stories with us. They shape the conversations we bring back to the Capitol and help us build a stronger, more equitable system for children, families, and educators across California. Together, we are making sure policy stays rooted in care, and that is something to celebrate!
Stay informed on the latest budget updates and calls to action at:
www.everychildca.org/legislative-resources
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