California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 1 D cosponsors

SB 685 — Special education: nonpublic schools and agencies.

Last action — Approved by the Governor.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 21, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 11 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill relates to special education services provided by nonpublic schools and agencies.

This bill addresses the regulations and practices concerning special education services provided by nonpublic schools and agencies. It aims to clarify their roles and responsibilities in supporting students with special education needs.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families of students with special needs may have clearer options and support from nonpublic educational institutions.

Summary

Special education: nonpublic schools and agencies.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 6 section(s) of the California codes: Section 48854 of the Education Code; Section 48986 of the Education Code; Section 51225.2 of the Education Code; Section 56366.1 of the Education Code; Section 56366.11 of the Education Code; Section 7579 of the Government Code.

  • Section 48854 of the Education Code

    48859 → 48859,

    amended

  • Section 48986 of the Education Code

    California’s safe 2023, 2024, law, (3) With (e) (2) (3) nonsectarian (f)(1)If a local educational agency provides a notice required by Section 49392, the local educational agency shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b), as applicable.(2)If the department develops model language pursuant to Section 49391, the department shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of subdivision (c).(3)This subdivision shall only become operative if Senate Bill 906 of the 2021–22 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective on or before January 1, 2023, and adds Sections 49391 and 49392 to the Education Code. → SEC. 10.5. Section 48986 of the Education Code is amended to read: the importance of practicing secure firearm storage in all homes in which firearms are present. The notice shall be titled “Secure Firearm Storage Notification” and shall contain all of the following information: (A) A description of the risks of children accessing unsecured firearms in the home.(B) Information and resources about the importance of secure firearm storage for preventing youth firearm suicide and preventing children and teens from accessing guns and bringing them to school. (C) A plain language summary of California’s secure The summary of the laws shall begin with the preventative requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 25145 of the Penal Code. (D) The internet website address for the Department of Justice’s Roster of Firearm Safety Devices Certified for Sale. in writing (3) Local educational agencies are encouraged to share the information contained within the notice with school communities through multiple easily accessible mediums, including internet-based communications, including, but not limited to, the local educational agency’s internet website, any social media accounts used by the local educational agency, and through other digital and nondigital communications. 2027, 2028, law or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), for the notice described in subdivision (a) (3) Commencing July 1, 2027, the department shall post the model language for the notice developed and updated pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) on its internet website. (4) Annually with (5) On or before July 1, 2027, the department shall also provide formatting and content options for local educational agencies to post the notice described in subdivision (a) on their respective internet websites and for posting other relevant information and resources about secure firearm storage using other internet-based communication options, including, but not limited to, social media. (e) The department shall encourage each local educational agency to adopt a policy and practice of providing the Secure Firearm Storage Notification to parents, guardians, and caregivers when otherwise providing notice to parents, guardians, or caregivers of disciplinary actions or supports given related to threats against other pupils or threats of self-harm. (f) (2) “Nonpublic school” has the same meaning as defined in Section 56034. (3) (4)

    amended

  • Section 51225.2 of the Education Code

    (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) nonpublic, nonsectarian shall nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic, nonsectarian nonpublic, nonsectarian → SEC. 12.5. Section 51225.2 of the Education Code is amended to read: (4) “Nonpublic school” has the same meaning as defined in Section 56034. (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) nonpublic shall, pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 49069.5, nonpublic nonpublic nonpublic

    amended

  • Section 56366.1 of the Education Code

    school → school,

    amended

  • Section 56366.11 of the Education Code

    Ombudsman → Ombudsperson

    amended

  • Section 7579 of the Government Code

    SEC. 62. → SEC. 62. (b) Section 12.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 51225.2 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1659. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 51225.2 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1659, in which case Section 12 of this bill shall not become operative. SEC. 63.

    amended

Action History

  1. Approved by the Governor.

  2. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

  3. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 28. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  4. From committee: That the Assembly amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.)

  5. From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on ED. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d). (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) Re-referred to Com. on ED.

  6. Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d).

  7. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  8. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 6621.) Ordered to the Senate.

  9. Ordered to third reading.

  10. Read third time and amended.

  11. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  12. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  13. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).

  14. Assembly Rule 63 suspended.

  15. August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.

  16. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  17. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 1).

  18. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED.

  19. Re-referred to Com. on ED. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.

  20. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  21. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.

  22. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED.

  23. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 24).

  24. Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and ED.

  25. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  26. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 1303.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  27. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1209.) (May 23).

  28. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  29. Set for hearing May 23.

  30. April 28 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  31. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  32. Set for hearing April 28.

  33. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 736.) (April 9).

  34. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  35. Set for hearing April 9.

  36. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED.

  37. Referred to Com. on ED.

  38. Read first time.

  39. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.

  40. Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 10 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Unfinished Business SB685 Cortese Concurrence

Passed 28 Yea · 10 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 28002
Republican 01000
Total 281002
% of votes cast 70%25%0%5%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Not Voting
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Not Voting
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Nay
Choi, Steven S. Republican Nay
Dahle, Megan Republican Nay
Grove, Shannon Republican Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay
Strickland, Tony Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Nay

Official roll call →

That the Assembly amendments be concurred in

Passed 5 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5000
Republican 0101
Total 5101
% of votes cast 71%14%0%14%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Nay

Official roll call →

SB 685 Cortese Senate Third Reading By Bonta

Passed 73 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 13005
Democratic 53001
Unaffiliated 7000
Total 73006
% of votes cast 92%0%0%8%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Patterson — Yea
Ávila Farías — Yea
Rivas — Yea
Carrillo — Yea
Fong — Yea
Garcia — Yea
Lowenthal — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Not Voting
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Not Voting
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Yea
Flora, Heath Republican Yea
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Yea
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended.

Passed 11 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 0004
Total 11004
% of votes cast 73%0%0%27%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 6001
Republican 2000
Total 8001
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Not Voting
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Education]

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 7000
Republican 1002
Total 8002
% of votes cast 80%0%0%20%
How each member voted (10)
Member Party Vote
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Not Voting
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

3rd Reading

Passed 36 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 28002
Republican 8002
Total 36004
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Not Voting
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Not Voting
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Yea
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Not Voting
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Yea
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 6 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5000
Republican 1001
Total 6001
% of votes cast 86%0%0%14%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing civil-rights labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 685 do?
Special education: nonpublic schools and agencies.
Who sponsors SB 685?
SB 685 is sponsored by Cortese, Dave (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 685?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 21, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 685?
Track SB 685 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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