A Bill Would Allow Homeless Students to Park Overnight at California Community Colleges

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and authorizes the governing board of a community college district to grant the use of college facilities or grounds for specified purposes.

Source : AB 302, as amended, Berman.An act to add Section 76012 to the Education Code, relating to community colleges.

Existing law requires a community college campus that has shower facilities for student use to grant access, as specified, to those facilities to any homeless student who is enrolled in coursework, has paid enrollment fees, and is in good standing with the community college district, and requires the community college to determine a plan of action to implement this requirement.

It is the intent of the Legislature that homeless students who use the overnight parking facilities shall be connected to available state, county, community college district, and community-based housing, food, and financial assistance resources.

This bill would require a community college campus that has parking facilities on campus to grant overnight access to those facilities, on or before July 1, 2020, to any homeless student who is enrolled in coursework, has any paid any enrollment fees that have not been waived, and is in good standing with the community college,for the purpose of sleeping in the student’s vehicle overnight. The bill would require the governing board of the community college district to determine a plan of action to implement this requirement, as specified. By imposing additional duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.