California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that reverses a controversial truancy policy championed by Vice President Kamala Harris during her time as a prosecutor in the state.

According to Breitbart News, Newsom signed SB 691 into law on September 28, 2024, effectively dismantling a program that allowed for the prosecution of parents whose children were chronically absent from school.

The policy, which Harris had strongly advocated for as San Francisco District Attorney and later as California Attorney General, had faced criticism for its disproportionate impact on families of color.

The new law, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, marks a significant shift in California's approach to addressing truancy. Instead of threatening legal action against parents, the legislation emphasizes providing support services and developing strategies to improve student attendance.

Harris's Truancy Initiative Faces Scrutiny

Harris's truancy initiative, which began during her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney, aimed to improve school attendance by holding parents accountable for their children's absences. The policy gained traction statewide when Harris became California's Attorney General.

In 2010, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law championed by Harris that allowed parents of chronically truant students to be charged with misdemeanors and face up to a year in jail. This hardline approach was intended to underscore the seriousness of school attendance and its impact on children's education.

However, the policy soon drew criticism from various quarters. Critics argued that it unfairly targeted low-income families and communities of color, who often faced systemic barriers to regular school attendance.

Shift Towards Supportive Measures

The new law signed by Governor Newsom represents a significant departure from the punitive approach advocated by Harris. SB 691 removes language from existing statutes that warned parents about potential prosecution for their children's truancy.

Instead, the legislation mandates that notifications to parents of truant students include information about available mental health and supportive services. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between school personnel and families to develop strategies that support student attendance.

This shift aligns with a growing recognition among educators and policymakers that addressing the root causes of truancy often requires a more holistic and supportive approach rather than punitive measures.

Political Implications For Harris

The reversal of this policy could have political implications for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has faced scrutiny over her record as a prosecutor. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris attempted to distance herself from the truancy program, expressing regret for its implementation.

Charlie Spiering, in his book "Amateur Hour: Kamala Harris in the White House," highlighted the contrast between Harris's approach to truancy and her handling of other criminal justice matters.

Spiering noted that while Harris took a tough stance on truant children's parents, she was more lenient on serious offenders such as cop killers and gun offenders.

Harris has since claimed that her intention was never to jail parents but to highlight the importance of school attendance. However, reports indicate that parents were indeed prosecuted and jailed as a result of the policy she championed.

California's New Approach To Truancy

The signing of SB 691 signals a new era in California's approach to addressing truancy. By focusing on support rather than punishment, the state aims to create a more inclusive and effective strategy for improving school attendance.

Advocates of the new law argue that it will help address the underlying issues that often contribute to chronic absenteeism, such as mental health challenges, family instability, or lack of access to resources.

By providing families with information about available support services, the hope is that more students will receive the assistance they need to maintain regular school attendance.

Critics of the previous policy have welcomed this change, seeing it as a step towards a more equitable education system that recognizes the complex factors influencing student attendance.

Conclusion

Governor Newsom's decision to sign SB 691 into law reverses a controversial truancy policy championed by Vice President Kamala Harris during her time as a California prosecutor. The new legislation shifts focus from punitive measures to supportive services for families of truant students. This change reflects a growing recognition of the need for more holistic approaches to addressing chronic absenteeism in schools.