🎉 Big Win! #AB461 (Ahrens) has officially passed the California Assembly!
#AB461 Prevents Harm to CalWORKs Families by restoring cash assistance lost due to outdated truancy sanctions & replaces punishment with compassion—supporting families, advancing equity, and helping kids thrive.
#AB461 Prevents Harm to CalWORKs Families by restoring cash assistance lost due to outdated truancy sanctions & replaces punishment with compassion—supporting families, advancing equity, and helping kids thrive.
June 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
#AB461 (Ahrens) is off to the Governor's desk! Ahrens stated, “I am thankful to my colleagues for passing this repeal of a failed policy that criminalizes struggling CA families for their children missing school.”
#AB461 #AsmAhrens #EndChildPoverty #SchoolAttendance #Truancy #SupportOverPunishment
#AB461 #AsmAhrens #EndChildPoverty #SchoolAttendance #Truancy #SupportOverPunishment
September 11, 2025 at 10:30 PM
#AB461 (Ahrens) is off to the Governor's desk! Ahrens stated, “I am thankful to my colleagues for passing this repeal of a failed policy that criminalizes struggling CA families for their children missing school.”
#AB461 #AsmAhrens #EndChildPoverty #SchoolAttendance #Truancy #SupportOverPunishment
#AB461 #AsmAhrens #EndChildPoverty #SchoolAttendance #Truancy #SupportOverPunishment
👏 " #AB461 (Ahrens) is an invitation to break the cycle of criminalizing families. When we choose support over punishment we begin to repair generational harm and build the foundation for true educational equity."-ECPCA Senior Policy Associate Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly #CABudget
April 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
👏 " #AB461 (Ahrens) is an invitation to break the cycle of criminalizing families. When we choose support over punishment we begin to repair generational harm and build the foundation for true educational equity."-ECPCA Senior Policy Associate Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly #CABudget
✨Good news! @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social signed #AB461, to put support over punishment for school truancy (chronic absence) issues.
From Yesenia Jimenez, Sr. Policy Associate: “I’m deeply grateful the Governor has signed this bill — in honor of all the children who deserve support, not trauma.”
From Yesenia Jimenez, Sr. Policy Associate: “I’m deeply grateful the Governor has signed this bill — in honor of all the children who deserve support, not trauma.”
October 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
✨Good news! @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social signed #AB461, to put support over punishment for school truancy (chronic absence) issues.
From Yesenia Jimenez, Sr. Policy Associate: “I’m deeply grateful the Governor has signed this bill — in honor of all the children who deserve support, not trauma.”
From Yesenia Jimenez, Sr. Policy Associate: “I’m deeply grateful the Governor has signed this bill — in honor of all the children who deserve support, not trauma.”
⭐IMAGINE Bills are on the Governor's Desk!!
#AB461 (Ahrens) will repeal the criminal penalties for parents if children need help to attend school. Families need more support, not less!
Use our email template and urge Gov. Newsom to sign #AB461!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#AB461 (Ahrens) will repeal the criminal penalties for parents if children need help to attend school. Families need more support, not less!
Use our email template and urge Gov. Newsom to sign #AB461!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
September 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
⭐IMAGINE Bills are on the Governor's Desk!!
#AB461 (Ahrens) will repeal the criminal penalties for parents if children need help to attend school. Families need more support, not less!
Use our email template and urge Gov. Newsom to sign #AB461!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#AB461 (Ahrens) will repeal the criminal penalties for parents if children need help to attend school. Families need more support, not less!
Use our email template and urge Gov. Newsom to sign #AB461!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
✅"Punitive truancy policies disproportionately harm LGBTQ, immigrant & low-income families. Without focusing on root causes, our current system compounds family hardship.
#AB461 (Ahrens) reflects a better way forward rooted in dignity, equity & love." ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly
#AB461 (Ahrens) reflects a better way forward rooted in dignity, equity & love." ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly
April 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
✅"Punitive truancy policies disproportionately harm LGBTQ, immigrant & low-income families. Without focusing on root causes, our current system compounds family hardship.
#AB461 (Ahrens) reflects a better way forward rooted in dignity, equity & love." ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly
#AB461 (Ahrens) reflects a better way forward rooted in dignity, equity & love." ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez #CAAssembly
✨ #AB461 (Ahrens) corrects a policy that punishes #CalWORKs families by partially withholding desperately needed aid if the child is 16 or over. The current law does not take into consideration the hardships facing these families." -Rebecca Gonzales @westerncenter.bsky.social #CAAssembly
April 8, 2025 at 9:16 PM
✨ #AB461 (Ahrens) corrects a policy that punishes #CalWORKs families by partially withholding desperately needed aid if the child is 16 or over. The current law does not take into consideration the hardships facing these families." -Rebecca Gonzales @westerncenter.bsky.social #CAAssembly
💪" #AB461 (Ahrens) brings hope to youth & families. Having systems that are flexible played a big role in my success and graduating high school. #AB461 reflects a better way forward rooted in equity and compassion."-Jose Herrera, CURYJ (Communities United for Restorative Youth #CAAssembly #CABudget
April 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
💪" #AB461 (Ahrens) brings hope to youth & families. Having systems that are flexible played a big role in my success and graduating high school. #AB461 reflects a better way forward rooted in equity and compassion."-Jose Herrera, CURYJ (Communities United for Restorative Youth #CAAssembly #CABudget
California repeals a truancy law that penalized parents for student absences. Gov. Newsom signed AB461, so starting January 1, parents will no longer face criminal charges. Advocates believe this supports struggling families rather than punishing them.
October 4, 2025 at 1:17 AM
California repeals a truancy law that penalized parents for student absences. Gov. Newsom signed AB461, so starting January 1, parents will no longer face criminal charges. Advocates believe this supports struggling families rather than punishing them.
✅" #AB461 (Ahrens) aims to eliminate punitive measures that exacerbate economic hardships and provide supportive non-criminal responses."-@Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens on why we need to fix school truancy laws. #CABudget #CAAssembly
April 29, 2025 at 5:10 PM
✅" #AB461 (Ahrens) aims to eliminate punitive measures that exacerbate economic hardships and provide supportive non-criminal responses."-@Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens on why we need to fix school truancy laws. #CABudget #CAAssembly
👏"Why should poor families be subject to extreme punishment, such as having their cash aid, which is already inadequate reduced? The data are clear that revoking aid only pushes families into deep poverty."
Rebecca Gonzalez w @westerncenter.bsky.social speaks to the importance of #AB461
Rebecca Gonzalez w @westerncenter.bsky.social speaks to the importance of #AB461
July 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
👏"Why should poor families be subject to extreme punishment, such as having their cash aid, which is already inadequate reduced? The data are clear that revoking aid only pushes families into deep poverty."
Rebecca Gonzalez w @westerncenter.bsky.social speaks to the importance of #AB461
Rebecca Gonzalez w @westerncenter.bsky.social speaks to the importance of #AB461
#AB461 helps Nevadans plan for elder care and long-term health decisions before a crisis hits. This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a family one.
Governor Lombardo can protect Nevada’s elders and families or leave them unprepared.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
Governor Lombardo can protect Nevada’s elders and families or leave them unprepared.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
May 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
#AB461 helps Nevadans plan for elder care and long-term health decisions before a crisis hits. This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a family one.
Governor Lombardo can protect Nevada’s elders and families or leave them unprepared.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
Governor Lombardo can protect Nevada’s elders and families or leave them unprepared.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
“Thank you to @gavinnewsom.bsky.social for signing my bill to repeal this failed policy of criminalizing struggling California families for their children missing school; families and kids need support, not criminal charges and fines, to improve school attendance."- Asm. Patrick Ahrens #AB461 #CALeg
October 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
“Thank you to @gavinnewsom.bsky.social for signing my bill to repeal this failed policy of criminalizing struggling California families for their children missing school; families and kids need support, not criminal charges and fines, to improve school attendance."- Asm. Patrick Ahrens #AB461 #CALeg
Thank you to all of our AB 461 Support not Punishment for Truancy advocates, especially @westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org!
More info: www.politico.com/news/2025/10... #AB461 #CALeg
More info: www.politico.com/news/2025/10... #AB461 #CALeg
Gavin Newsom ends Kamala Harris' California anti-truancy law
Harris championed the controversial policy penalizing parents for their children's chronic truancy during her time as San Francisco district attorney.
www.politico.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Thank you to all of our AB 461 Support not Punishment for Truancy advocates, especially @westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org!
More info: www.politico.com/news/2025/10... #AB461 #CALeg
More info: www.politico.com/news/2025/10... #AB461 #CALeg
🙏"If we’re not prosecuting these cases … then why should we have this in the books? We don’t need the stick if everything else is already working to the benefit of our families,'” Yesenia Jimenez, senior policy associate at End Child Poverty CA #AB461 (Ahrens)
edsource.org/2025/parents...
edsource.org/2025/parents...
Parents of truant students won’t face jail, sanctions under new bill
Bill seeks to eliminate criminal and public benefit penalties on parents related to student truancy.
edsource.org
April 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🙏"If we’re not prosecuting these cases … then why should we have this in the books? We don’t need the stick if everything else is already working to the benefit of our families,'” Yesenia Jimenez, senior policy associate at End Child Poverty CA #AB461 (Ahrens)
edsource.org/2025/parents...
edsource.org/2025/parents...
👏 #AB461 (Ahrens) puts an end to criminalization & sanctions against CalWORKs families facing school attendance challenges. Instead, it puts in place strong, compassionate alternatives to support families, advance equity, & help kids thrive.
Read more below:
www.endchildpovertyca.org/ab-461-ahren...
Read more below:
www.endchildpovertyca.org/ab-461-ahren...
AB 461 (Ahrens) Supports Our Students and Transforms Truancy Policy - End Child Poverty California
Students do better when they attend school. However, school absences are on the rise. We can solve this problem through supportive policies and safer schools, or by punishing parents. California has t...
www.endchildpovertyca.org
July 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
👏 #AB461 (Ahrens) puts an end to criminalization & sanctions against CalWORKs families facing school attendance challenges. Instead, it puts in place strong, compassionate alternatives to support families, advance equity, & help kids thrive.
Read more below:
www.endchildpovertyca.org/ab-461-ahren...
Read more below:
www.endchildpovertyca.org/ab-461-ahren...
💕 We are so proud that #AB461 (Ahrens) made it to the Governor's desk! AB 461 strikes down an unjust system that punishes families for struggling with school attendance and affirms every child’s freedom to learn without their families being treated like criminals.
edsource.org/2025/califor...
edsource.org/2025/califor...
The California education bills that made it to Newsom’s desk, and those that didn’t
California lawmakers passed several education bills in the final hours of the legislative session, including measures to reduce antisemitism in schools, increase oversight of charter schools and ban u...
edsource.org
September 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
💕 We are so proud that #AB461 (Ahrens) made it to the Governor's desk! AB 461 strikes down an unjust system that punishes families for struggling with school attendance and affirms every child’s freedom to learn without their families being treated like criminals.
edsource.org/2025/califor...
edsource.org/2025/califor...
AB 461 (Ahrens) has officially passed the California Assembly!
AB 461 ends the harmful criminalization and economic sanctions against families facing school attendance challenges. Next stop: the California Senate!
#AB461 #ReimagineCalWORKs #EndChildPoverty #FamiliesNotFines
AB 461 ends the harmful criminalization and economic sanctions against families facing school attendance challenges. Next stop: the California Senate!
#AB461 #ReimagineCalWORKs #EndChildPoverty #FamiliesNotFines
June 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
AB 461 (Ahrens) has officially passed the California Assembly!
AB 461 ends the harmful criminalization and economic sanctions against families facing school attendance challenges. Next stop: the California Senate!
#AB461 #ReimagineCalWORKs #EndChildPoverty #FamiliesNotFines
AB 461 ends the harmful criminalization and economic sanctions against families facing school attendance challenges. Next stop: the California Senate!
#AB461 #ReimagineCalWORKs #EndChildPoverty #FamiliesNotFines
Honored to celebrate Asm Patrick Ahrens at the Dream Builders Award Ceremony.
#AB461 affirms a simple truth: families deserve support, not punishment. It’s about breaking cycles of harm and building opportunity.
Congrats on the Dream Builder Award!
@westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org
#AB461 affirms a simple truth: families deserve support, not punishment. It’s about breaking cycles of harm and building opportunity.
Congrats on the Dream Builder Award!
@westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org
April 10, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Honored to celebrate Asm Patrick Ahrens at the Dream Builders Award Ceremony.
#AB461 affirms a simple truth: families deserve support, not punishment. It’s about breaking cycles of harm and building opportunity.
Congrats on the Dream Builder Award!
@westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org
#AB461 affirms a simple truth: families deserve support, not punishment. It’s about breaking cycles of harm and building opportunity.
Congrats on the Dream Builder Award!
@westerncenter.bsky.social @seiuca.org
" #AB461 ensures that families navigating school attendance challenges are met with support, not punishment.
Under current law, our system compounds family hardship rather than address causes related to chronic truancy."
ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez joins Asm. Patrick Ahrens in championing #AB461
Under current law, our system compounds family hardship rather than address causes related to chronic truancy."
ECPCA's own Yesenia Jimenez joins Asm. Patrick Ahrens in championing #AB461
July 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
👏⭐" #AB461 (Ahrens) ensures families facing school attendance challenges get support instead of punishment. #CalWORKs families can face sanctions due to truancy, pushing families further into poverty.
This bill shifts the focus from punishment to partnership." -Asm. Patrick Ahrens #CAAssembly
This bill shifts the focus from punishment to partnership." -Asm. Patrick Ahrens #CAAssembly
April 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
👏⭐" #AB461 (Ahrens) ensures families facing school attendance challenges get support instead of punishment. #CalWORKs families can face sanctions due to truancy, pushing families further into poverty.
This bill shifts the focus from punishment to partnership." -Asm. Patrick Ahrens #CAAssembly
This bill shifts the focus from punishment to partnership." -Asm. Patrick Ahrens #CAAssembly
The latest: Lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services gutted Assm. David Orentlicher’s bill, AB461, which sought to implement a framework for individuals to make advanced health care decisions. Read more here: thenevadaindependent.com/article/live...
Live updates: The Nevada Legislature’s second committee passage deadline - The Nevada Independent
More than 150 bills still need to pass out of a committee on Friday to stay alive. Indy reporters are tracking major developments here.
thenevadaindependent.com
May 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The latest: Lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services gutted Assm. David Orentlicher’s bill, AB461, which sought to implement a framework for individuals to make advanced health care decisions. Read more here: thenevadaindependent.com/article/live...
Lead with purpose, not partisanship. #AB144 recognizes Indigenous peoples’ contributions while #AB461 helps Nevadans plan for the future. Both passed with strong support 🙌🏼
Do the right thing Governor, sign them into law.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
Do the right thing Governor, sign them into law.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
May 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Lead with purpose, not partisanship. #AB144 recognizes Indigenous peoples’ contributions while #AB461 helps Nevadans plan for the future. Both passed with strong support 🙌🏼
Do the right thing Governor, sign them into law.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
Do the right thing Governor, sign them into law.
☎️ 775-684-5670
📧 gov.nv.gov/Forms/Share/ #NVLeg
🗣️ THIS JUST IN: #AB461, the Elder care/Advance Directives bill, was heard today in the Senate HHS. The community showed up and spoke out for our Elders, disabled relatives, and themselves 👏🏼 Shoutout to Assemblymembers Orentlicher and Backus for championing this bill. #NVLeg
May 14, 2025 at 1:29 AM