Parental notices: primary language translations.

If 15% or more of the pupils enrolled in a public school speak a single primary language other than English, existing law requires all notices, reports, statements, or records sent to the parent or guardian of any such pupil by the school or school district to be written in English and the primary language, and authorizes the parent or guardian to respond either in English or the primary language. Existing law requires the State Department of Education to monitor adherence to these translation requirements and notify school districts of those schools that the translation requirement applies to, as provided. This bill, commencing January 1, 2024, instead would require school districts, all public schools in those school districts, and charter schools to send all notices, reports, statements, or records in the primary language other than English when the primary language is one of the two most commonly spoken languages by pupils enrolled in the school of the school district or the charter school, is spoken by 15% or more of the pupils enrolled in the school of the school district or the charter school, or is spoken by 15% or more of the residents in any county where the school district, school of the school district, or charter school is located and is also one of the top two languages spoken by county residents not included in other calculations, as provided. By imposing additional duties on schools and school districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the State Department of Education to monitor adherence to the new translation requirements for school districts, public schools, and charter schools, and to notify school districts and charter schools of those schools that the translation requirement applies to, as provided. 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.