BILL NUMBER: AB 500	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 16, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Conway

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2009

    An act relating to foster children.   An act
relating to the California State University. 


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 500, as amended, Conway.  Foster children: educational
placement: school of origin.   California State
University: feasibility study: high desert campus.  
   Existing law establishes the various segments of the public higher
education system in the state. These segments include the University
of California, which is administered by the Regents of the
University of California, the California State University, which is
administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and
the California Community Colleges, which is administered by the Board
of Governors of the California Community Colleges.  
   This bill would require the Trustees of the California State
University, by January 1, 2011, to conduct a study regarding the
feasibility of a California State University satellite program, and
ultimately, an independent California State University campus, in the
high desert, as defined.  
   Under existing law, at the initial detention or placement of a
foster child, or at any subsequent change in placement of a foster
child, the local educational agency serving the foster child is
required to allow the foster child to continue his or her education
in the school of origin for the duration of the academic school year.
 
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would provide for transportation for a foster child
to and from his or her school of origin. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    (a) On or before January 1, 2011, the
Trustees of the California State University shall conduct a study
regarding the feasibility of a California State University satellite
program, and ultimately, an independent California State University
campus, in the high desert. The study shall include all of the
following:  
   (1) Ten-year enrollment projections and physical capacity
analysis.  
   (2) Regional workforce needs.  
   (3) Prospective economic impact and job creation in the region.
 
   (4) Infrastructure availability.  
   (5) Academic planning and program justification.  
   (6) A description of proposed student services and student
outreach programs.  
   (7) Support and capital outlay budget projections.  
   (8) Geographic and physical accessibility.  
   (9) Environmental and social impacts.  
   (10) Effects on other educational institutions.  
   (b) Funding for the study required by subdivision (a) shall be
derived solely from private sources.  
   (c) For purposes of this section, "high desert" means a desert
community in the County of Inyo, the County of Kern, or the County of
San Bernardino.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation that would provide for transportation for a
foster child to and from his or her school of origin.