CA SB897

Expands prohibitions on school districts of choice targeting communications based on English proficiency, family income, disability, gender identity, nationality, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other hate crime-related characteristics.

Requires school districts of choice to give second priority enrollment to foster youth and homeless children/youth alongside pupils eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and prohibits rejecting transfers from these groups even if new programs would be needed.

Changes transfer caps for school districts of residence to be based on average daily attendance from the prior fiscal year's first principal apportionment and expands cap authority to districts with qualified or negative budget status.

Establishes data reporting requirements and enforcement mechanisms, including prohibiting school districts of choice from accepting new transfers if they fail to provide transfer data within 30 days, and requiring funding reductions for schools accepting transfers after cap notifications.

Repeals the sunset provisions that would have made the school district of choice program inoperative July 1, 2028, extending the program indefinitely.