Disaster and emergency preparedness.

Removed the word 'training' from Section 9120(d)(5) and its subparts (A) and (B), changing 'disaster and emergency preparedness training community education' to 'disaster and emergency preparedness community education.' This clarifies that ADRC programs must provide community education (outreach and awareness activities) rather than formal training, and fixes a drafting artifact where both terms had been inserted without reconciliation.

The entire student financial aid section (new Education Code Section 69514.7) was deleted. This section had required the Student Aid Commission to develop guidance by July 1, 2027 on using online technology platforms to help low-income pupils, foster youth, and undocumented families access financial aid, plus a training program for counselors and a multilingual media campaign.

The State Department of Developmental Services was added to the list of agencies whose existing emergency preparedness and response tools can be utilized by ADRC programs, alongside the Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Aging, and Department of Rehabilitation.

ADRC disaster preparedness obligations were broadened from 'training' to also include 'community education.' The purpose was expanded from helping older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies to also informing them about emergency preparedness and promoting their safety.

The community education component was made permissive ('may utilize') rather than mandatory ('shall utilize'), giving ADRC programs more flexibility in how they deliver preparedness information.

Added legislative findings (new Section 1) establishing that individuals with access and functional needs face heightened vulnerability during natural disasters, citing a 2019 California State Auditor report that these individuals are two to four times more likely to perish compared to the general population.

Removed the amendment to Education Code Section 66010, which had made nonsubstantive changes to the definition of public higher education segments (California Community Colleges, CSU, UC) and independent institutions of higher education under the Donahoe Higher Education Act.

Added amendment to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 9120 requiring ADRC programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training specifically designed to help older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies and ensure their safety before, during, and after natural disasters and other emergency events.

The new disaster preparedness training must utilize existing emergency preparedness and response tools developed by Cal OES, the Department of Aging, the Department of Rehabilitation, and community partners, and must raise awareness of local alert systems, emergency plans, fire department information, emergency transportation and evacuation resources, and utility services during emergencies.

Added a contingency clause stating that implementation of the ADRC disaster preparedness provisions is contingent on appropriation in the annual Budget Act or another act for that express purpose.

Fiscal committee vote changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now has a fiscal impact requiring fiscal committee review, likely due to the new ADRC training requirements.

New Section 69514.7 requires the Student Aid Commission to develop guidance by July 1, 2027 for school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and public libraries on how to use online technology platforms to assist low-income pupils, foster youth, and undocumented families in accessing student financial aid.

The guidance must include specific features: clear cost and financial aid information tailored to individual circumstances, highlighting institutions that meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, comparing on-campus vs off-campus costs and grants vs loans, dedicated tools for foster youth and DACA-eligible students, multilingual content with counseling resources, tracking progress toward CSU and UC admission requirements, and direct links to FAFSA, CSS Profile, and California Dream Act applications.

The commission must offer a training program by July 1, 2027 for school counselors, administrators, and community-based organizations on the developed guidance.

The commission must implement a multilingual media campaign targeting underserved communities to raise awareness of available online technology platforms related to the guidance.

New definition of 'local educational agency' as a school district, county office of education, or charter school for purposes of the new section.

The bill's scope expanded from solely amending Section 66010 (defining segments of public postsecondary education) to also adding Section 69514.7 relating to student financial aid, online technology platforms, and outreach to underserved populations.

The fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the new provisions have budgetary implications that require fiscal analysis.