Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and advocate Paris Hilton marked the signing of Senate Bill 373, known as California’s Accountability for Placements in Education (CAPE) Act, by Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill was sponsored by Hilton’s nonprofit organization, 11:11 Media Impact. It is designed to increase protections for California students who are placed in out-of-state schools.
The CAPE Act introduces new requirements for local school district representatives to conduct one-on-one check-ins with students who are assigned to out-of-state educational facilities. Senator Grove explained, “With the signing of the CAPE Act, California is taking the necessary steps to ensure that every student is safe at school, especially those placed in out-of-state schools. Currently, there are no requirements for the local district representatives to have one on one check-ins with the students, who are away often far from their home and without a means of communication. The CAPE Act will change this by giving students more opportunities to directly express their needs or report issues to their responsible school representative.”
She added, “I applaud Governor Newsom for his commitment to bringing our California foster students home and taking this step to provide additional protections for those vulnerable students with the signing of SB 373. I am grateful for Paris Hilton, who is using her experience and platform to protect California’s children, and for the incredible advocates who have pushed for this change. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued, especially within California’s education system.”
Paris Hilton commented on her involvement with the legislation: “As someone who endured abuse in a residential facility, I know how vital it is to protect young people with disabilities from harm. Senate Bill 373 establishes stronger safeguards and accountability for students placed in out-of-state schools. I am deeply grateful to Senator Grove for her leadership and partnership, and I thank Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law. I am proud of California’s commitment to creating a safer, more supportive future for our most vulnerable youth.”
Certified Nonpublic Schools (NPSs) serve public school students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met in traditional classrooms. These private institutions receive funding from local districts and oversight from the California Department of Education but concerns remain about nearly 300 California students with disabilities still placed in out-of-state NPSs under limited supervision.
SB 373 aims to address these concerns by implementing stricter oversight measures and accountability standards at out-of-state facilities. The bill also extends protections similar to those provided during efforts to reduce out-of-state placements among foster youth.
The law will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
