CA SB177

Requires homeless children and youth to be immediately deemed to meet residency requirements for participation in interscholastic sports and other extracurricular activities, matching existing protections for foster children.

Mandates public schools and county offices of education to immediately enroll homeless children and youth seeking enrollment, except where enrollment conflicts with charter school requirements.

Directs the State Department of Education and State Department of Social Services to develop policies and practices supporting homeless children and youth, including ensuring child abuse reporting requirements do not create barriers to school enrollment and that homeless pupils are not reported to law enforcement solely for their homelessness status.

Requires local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youth to ensure public notice of educational rights is disseminated in schools providing services under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Provides for state reimbursement of local agency and school district costs if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill contains state-mandated expenses.