CA AB2656

Prohibits the State Department of Education from charging examination fees to foster youth under 25 years of age who take high school proficiency tests, expanding existing fee waivers that applied only to homeless youth.

Prohibits scoring contractors and testing centers from charging separate fees to foster youth under 25 years of age who take high school equivalency tests, matching existing protections for homeless youth.

Defines "foster youth" as individuals who were the subject of a petition under Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 300 or 602 and removed from their home by juvenile court.

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit reports by December 1, 2018 on high school proficiency and equivalency test participation by homeless and foster youth, including data on fee waiver impacts.

Specifies that no additional state funds shall be appropriated to implement the fee waivers, with costs recovered through existing fee structures and contractor absorption.