Governor Newsom Signs Three CA Alliance Sponsored Bills

AB 1626 (Gabriel) and AB 2764 (Ahrens) become law, capping a legislative year that also saw California on a path to restore the 988 "Press 3" lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth (AB 1540 (Gonzalez), AB 173) 

The California Alliance of Child and Family Services celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom's signature on two bills it sponsored this session, AB 1626 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and AB 2764 by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, as well as AB 173, a health budget trailer bill that establishes California's own 988 "Press 3" option for LGBTQ+ youth. AB 173 carries forward the work of AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark González, which the CA Alliance co-sponsored. Together, these new laws help coaches recognize when young athletes are struggling, keep young adults in Extended Foster Care from being shut out of housing by barriers that exceed state and federal law, and reconnect LGBTQ+ youth in crisis with specially trained, affirming counselors. 

AB 1626 (Gabriel): Mental Health Training for High School and Youth Sports Coaches

Coaches are often the first to notice when a young person is struggling, yet only 1 in 5 report feeling highly confident supporting youth with mental health and substance use challenges. AB 1626 sets the mental health and substance use disorder content required in high school coach training, so coaches can spot early warning signs and connect students to school and community resources. It also directs the California Department of Education to create a model training for youth sports coaches. 

“For many young people, mental health support and intervention can be transformative,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino). “Coaches are uniquely positioned and are often among the first to notice when young people are struggling and in need of help. This new law will empower youth sports coaches with the tools and training they need to help students in crisis. I’m grateful to Steph Curry and the rest of our incredible coalition for their advocacy and I applaud Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law.”

 The CA Alliance is proud to have co-sponsored AB 1626 with Mental Health America of California, Play Equity Fund and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and thanks Assemblymember Gabriel for his leadership. 

AB 2764 (Ahrens): Fair and Consistent Access to Extended Foster Care 

Between 31 and 46 percent of young people who experience foster care become homeless by age 26. Extended Foster Care (EFC) is one of California's most effective tools for preventing that, providing young adults ages 18 to 21 with stable housing and support. 

But some counties, courts, and providers have imposed requirements stricter than state and federal law, such as mandating both work and school, and young people have been turned away or discharged as a result. AB 2764 creates uniform EFC eligibility standards statewide, so youth who meet any one of the five requirements in law cannot be denied or terminated for failing to meet extra conditions. 

The CA Alliance is proud to have sponsored AB 2764, part of Assemblymember Ahrens' Support California Foster Kids Bill Package, and thanks him for his leadership, along with our partners at John Burton Advocates for Youth and California Youth Connection. 

Restoring 988 "Press 3" for LGBTQ+ Youth 

After the federal government eliminated the "Press 3" option on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, LGBTQ+ youth in crisis lost a direct line to specially trained counselors. Governor Newsom has now signed AB 173, establishing California's own Press 3 option, and AB 113, which provides $5 million to fund it.

The CA Alliance co-sponsored AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark González, alongside Equality California and the Sacramento LGBTQ+ Center. AB 1540 first championed restoring this lifeline, and our advocacy helped shape the policy included in AB 173 and AB 113. 

LGBTQ+ young people are overrepresented in foster care and face elevated mental health risks. We thank Assemblymember González for championing this issue, and the Governor and Legislature for funding this lifesaving service. 

A Shared Commitment to California's Children and Youth 

"Every young person deserves a trusted adult who knows how to help, a stable place to call home and someone who understands them in a moment of crisis. These new laws and the restoration of 988's Press 3 option deliver just that. CA Alliance members serve some of California's most vulnerable children, youth and families, and these new laws will move them closer to reaching their full potential. We thank Governor Newsom for signing these bills and the Legislature for sending them to his desk. Assemblymembers Gabriel, Ahrens and González have been amazing champions for vulnerable young people across California, and we look forward to many more years of partnership with each of them. Thank you as well to our co-sponsors and coalition partners, and most of all to the young people, families and frontline nonprofit professionals whose voices shaped these policies."