Rising Scholars Network: justice-involved students.

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 establishes community college districts throughout the state and authorizes them to operate campuses and provide instruction. This bill would authorize the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to establish a program, named the Rising Scholars Network, to enter into agreements with up to 50 community colleges to provide additional funds for services in support of postsecondary education for justice-involved students, as defined. The bill would require a community college district that wishes to participate in the Rising Scholars Network to apply to the board of governors for funding pursuant to these provisions, as provided, and would require the board of governors to adopt regulations for the Rising Scholars Network that fulfill certain goals and guidance. The bill would require the board of governors, on or before December 31, 2023, and every 2 years thereafter, to submit a report, as specified, describing its efforts to serve justice-involved students, and including recommendations on whether and how the Rising Scholars Network can be expanded to all community college districts and campuses. The bill's provisions would be operative in a fiscal year only if funds have been appropriated for those purposes for that fiscal year by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute.