Nonpublic School Safeguard Improvement Bill Passes Senate Education Committee In 7-0 Vote

A bill aimed at improving safeguards for nonpublic school students passed the Senate Education Committee on Thursday with a unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 373, authored by Senators Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), would target nonpublic schools (NPS), which are state approved private schools for students with special needs and Individualized Education Programs (IEP) that go beyond what public schools can offer. SB 373 would expand the rights of students’ parents by requiring that they be given copies of their rights and procedural safeguards, and be given information on how to contact the State Department of Education’s Equitable Services Ombudsman. In addition, the bill would require, before certifying a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, the Superintendent to take additional actions, including, among other things, to review policies on restraint to evaluate consistency with California laws.

SB 373 would also set up  monitoring visits to include an in-person, private meeting with the pupil to evaluate their health and safety, as well as establishing extra certification requirements for out-of-state nonpublic schools, including strict protocols regarding the use of physical restraints and isolation use, enhanced rights awareness, robust complaint mechanisms, and informed consent processes.

Grove and Rubio wrote the bill to follow up on previously passed legislation that increased similar protections for the placement of foster youth in out-of-state facilities. The Senators said that they wanted to expand to nonpublic school students, with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) being mandated to conduct quarterly unmonitored phone check‑ins and hold annual in‑person private meetings during each onsite visit, all to boost student health and safety.

“California has always prided itself on leading the way in protecting our children,” said Senator Grove on Thursday. “But too many vulnerable students remain at risk in out‑of‑state placements. I am committed to ensuring that every child in a special education program receives the highest standard of care and oversight. SB 373 will provide the transparency and accountability that our children deserve.”

Joining Grove once again in support was socialite and media personality Paris Hilton, who previously backed Grove’s successful Department of Social Services child care transparency bill, SB 1043, last year. It is also one of two bills of Grove’s she is supporting this session, with the other being AB 653, which increases protections for youth in the entertainment industry.

“This bill is a powerful step toward protecting youth placed in out-of-state residential facilities when their school districts can’t meet their needs,” added Hilton. “Every young person deserves access to safe, supportive care — especially when they’re far from their families and homes. As someone who survived abuse in these settings, I’m committed to transforming this system and creating a future where transparency, accountability, and compassion are the standard.”

The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support since first being introduced earlier this year, as evidenced by it’s two authors being from opposite parties. This was further shown on Thursday when the the Senate Education Committee passed the bill in a unanimous 7-0 vote. Support for SB 373 is expected to remain steady and likely to be passed later this year, with the next hurdle for the bill being a Senate Appropriations Committee vote in the coming weeks.