Community colleges: fee waivers.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law authorizes the establishment of community college districts under the administration of community college governing boards, and authorizes these districts to provide instruction at community college campuses throughout the state. Existing law requires community college district governing boards to charge students an enrollment fee of $46 per unit per semester. Existing law requires the board of governors to waive this fee for students meeting prescribed requirements, which include meeting specified minimum academic and progress standards adopted by the board of governors. This bill would waive the fee for a California resident who meets those standards and, at the time of enrollment, is a ward or former ward of the juvenile court, is or was placed in, or committed to, out-of-home care in connection with that status as a ward or former ward after reaching 16 years of age, and is no older than 25 years of age. The bill would also waive the fee for a foster youth or former foster youth, defined as a person in California whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the youth's 16th birthday and who is no older than 25 years of age at the commencement of the academic year. To the extent the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.