In September of 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Safe Haven Schools Act (AB 49) and Senate Bill 98, both of which took effect immediately. These laws strengthen protections for students and families, particularly those who are undocumented, by expanding policies that limit immigration enforcement activities on school grounds and postsecondary campuses.

 

Broadly speaking:

AB 49 updates state law to require immigration officers to present valid identification and a judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order before entering nonpublic areas of a school. It also prohibits schools from sharing personal information about students or families without written consent. Local educational agencies must update their related policies by March 1, 2026, and may use the California Attorney General’s model policies to Assit Califorina's K-12 Schools as a guide.

 

SB 98 requires colleges and universities to immediately notify their communities if immigration officers are present on campus and to share related information and resources. SB 98 itself does not impose new operational requirements on K–12 districts beyond what’s already required under AB 49 and existing Education Code 234.7. The law’s new mandates, such as campus-wide notifications of immigration officer presence, apply specifically to postsecondary institutions.

 

The California Department of Education (CDE) has released a new toolkit, Our Schools: Resources for Including Immigrant Families, to help schools communicate these protections and provide a safe learning environment for every student.

 

For more information and resources, visit:

California Department of Education – Safe Haven Schools

California Attorney General - Resources for California's Immigrant Communities

California Attorney General- Guidance for School Officials