Laws & Policy

We implement policy advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Our work includes policy development, lobbying, coalition building, and community organizing.

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Focus areas

California AB 1230: Expulsion Rehabilitation Plan Reform (2025)

Bill will ensure that students facing expulsion receive the support they need to return to their home schools

California Assembly Bill 1230, titled Expulsion Rehabilitation Plan Reform, strengthens procedures and requirements to ensure that expelled students — some of California's most vulnerable — receive the support they need to successfully return to school. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta
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California AB 1376: Ending Endless Probation

Bill will ensure that youth do not unnecessarily languish on probation

California Assembly Bill 1376, titled Ending Endless Probation, will protect youth who have been sentenced to probation in the community by creating statutory guidelines ensuring that youth do not unnecessarily languish on probation. AB 1376, introduced by Rep. Mia Bonta, would positively impact
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Hawai'i HB900: Relating to Child Welfare Services (2025)

Bill will create a working group — which will include lived experts in the state foster system — to design a pilot for

The National Center for Youth Law has worked closely with current and former foster youth in Hawai’i, as well as local advocates and service providers, to develop and advance HB900, a bill that advances the right to legal counsel for youth in the Hawai'i foster system. The bill was introduced Jan
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California SB 531: Student Mental Health Education (2025)

Bill will expand mental health education access to all California students

SB 531 will help empower young Californians and destigmatize mental health challenges by requiring all California students in grades 1-12 be provided with an age-appropriate mental health education.
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Children's Safe Welcome Act (2024)

The Children's Safe Welcome Act prioritizes family unity, minimizes the time children spend in immigration custody, and increases the protections for children throughout the process. NCYL provided expert guidance in developing this landmark legislation.
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End School-Based Ticketing (2024)

HB 3413 (Ford)

Ending the unjust practice of referring students to be ticketed for an incident that can be pursued through the school district’s discipline policy
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Justice for Survivors (2024)

AB 2354 (Bonta)

AB 2354 is a crucial bill in California aimed at ensuring that all survivors of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and other forms of violence can petition the court for vacatur relief,
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Supporting Students in the Foster System and Students Experiencing Homelessness (2024)

AB 2137 (Quirk-Silva)

Assembly Bill (AB) 2137 that would increase direct support for students, streamline services through better collaboration, and reduce gaps in financial aid application completion.
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Reducing Unequal Access to Mental Health Services (2023)

AB 665 (Carrillo)

All children in California deserve access to mental health services to live full and thriving lives, and care for their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. Under current statute, youth ages 12 and older who receive health care through Medi-Cal are blocked from accessing mental health
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