Student health: medical leaves of absence: mental health.

Header changed from amendment history dates to enrolled format showing 'Passed the Assembly August 26, 2026' and 'Passed the Senate August 25, 2026'

Line-number annotations (e.g., 'line 1', 'line 2') present in the amended version were removed in the enrolled version

Standard enrolled-bill elements added: Governor's approval date line and signature block at the end of the document

Page numbers changed from 95 to 94, reflecting re-pagination for the enrolled format

The entire requirement for institutions to provide reasonable accommodations to students facing a medical challenge without documentation is deleted. This included provisions for extended testing time, reduced course load, making up work without penalty, excusing late arrivals and absences, and the 'fundamental alteration' exception.

A new subdivision (g) is added stating that the section does not waive competency, clinical, laboratory, or other graduation or licensure requirements established by a postsecondary educational institution, accrediting agency, or governmental licensing authority, and does not supersede federal student aid regulations.

The bill structure is simplified: the old two-part requirement (adopt policy AND provide accommodations) is reduced to a single requirement to adopt a written policy with six numbered adherence requirements. Definitions are renumbered from subdivision (g) to (h).

Coauthor name corrected from 'Fong Fong' to 'Fong.' Page numbers updated from 96 to 95.

A new exception allows institutions to impose conditions on a student's return from medical leave if the student posed a direct threat to the health or safety of others before taking the leave. This gives schools a safety-based carve-out to the readmission guarantee.

The policy notification method changed from making the policy available through required training and orientation sessions to posting it on the institution's internet website and notifying both students and faculty (previously only students) via email at the start of each semester or term.

A new provision clarifies that the bill does not prevent institutions from adjudicating alleged violations of the student code of conduct by a student who is on or has taken a medical leave of absence. This ensures disciplinary processes continue during leave.

A federal preemption savings clause was added: if any provision conflicts with federal law or regulations, that provision is inoperative for the duration of the conflict without affecting the rest of the section.

New definitions were added for 'adjudication procedures,' 'student code of conduct' (covering academics, athletics, and sex discrimination standards), and 'student' (undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in coursework).

Assembly Member Papan was added as a coauthor, expanding the bill's legislative sponsorship.

The leave of absence policy now explicitly prohibits institutions from requiring students to submit an official notice of withdrawal or sending one to the student. A new definition clarifies that 'withdraw' means no longer recognizing the person as a student who may enroll in coursework.

New specific accommodation examples were added: extended testing time in a reduced distraction environment, a reduced course load, and allowing students to make up work without penalty plus excusing late arrivals and absences for medical appointments or symptoms.

A new exception was added stating that an accommodation would not be considered reasonable if it would fundamentally alter an academic requirement essential to the instruction or a directly related licensing requirement.

Reasonable accommodations must now be provided without requiring the student to provide documentation of the medical challenge, and must meet the individual needs of the student. The standard was also tightened to require the medical challenge 'substantially limit one or more major life activities.'

The leave of absence period was clarified from 'one academic year' to 'up to one academic year, whichever is longer,' making clear it is a maximum floor rather than a fixed duration. Extensions beyond that period now require determination by the student's physician or medical provider, and institutions may require documentation before granting an extension.

A new legislative finding was added stating that a mental health disorder is a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Notification requirements were expanded: institutions must now send an email with the policy to all students and employees at the beginning of each academic semester or term, and the registrar's office and campus administrator's office must provide a copy to any student requesting information on withdrawing.

The former Section 1, which stated legislative intent to enact subsequent legislation allowing mental health leaves of absence with readmission without reapplying, was removed entirely.

Assembly Members Fong and Patel were added as coauthors.

Fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' and state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now triggers fiscal review and potential state reimbursement obligations for community college districts.

Added new Section 66025.2 to the Education Code imposing binding requirements on all postsecondary educational institutions (UC, CSU, California Community Colleges, private postsecondary institutions, and independent institutions of higher education) to adopt written medical leave of absence policies by the 2027-28 academic year.

Added legislative findings stating that nearly half of college students face mental health challenges, that poor mental health impedes academic performance, and that students deserve a clear pathway to recovery without academic consequences or the need to reapply.

Institutions must adopt a policy allowing voluntary medical leaves for a period set by the institution or one academic year (whichever is longer), must not require withdrawal, must not deny readmission, must allow students in good standing to return in good standing, must permit extensions for medical necessity, and must include procedures for requesting a leave.

Institutions must reasonably accommodate students facing medical challenges, including allowing makeup of missed tests and assignments, maintaining involvement in campus activities and organizations, and permitting leaves under the policy.

Added obligations for institutions to provide training on the leave policy to faculty, staff, and employees; include it in student orientation; prominently post it on their website; and have on-campus medical centers provide copies to students who request information about health protections.

Defined 'medical' to broadly include mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. Defined 'postsecondary educational institution' to cover UC campuses, CSU campuses, California Community Colleges, private postsecondary institutions, and independent institutions of higher education.

Changed state-mandated local program designation from 'no' to 'yes' and added a reimbursement provision requiring the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the bill if the Commission on State Mandates determines such costs exist.