(a) The office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges may establish a program to enter into agreements with community colleges to provide additional funds for services in support of postsecondary education for justice-involved students. This program shall be known as the Rising Scholars Network, and shall expand the number of justice-involved students participating and succeeding in the community colleges and shall not displace other students.
(b) A community college district that wishes to participate in the Rising Scholars Network shall apply to the board of governors for funding pursuant to this article. The application of each participating community college district shall identify the Rising Scholars college or colleges in the district, and shall include, but not be limited to, the number of justice-involved students who will be served. The application shall also describe the extent of cooperation between the college and local criminal justice stakeholders, including, as applicable, wardens, county sheriffs, juvenile facilities, and probation departments. Beginning in the 2025–26 fiscal year, the board of governors may prioritize funding provided in the annual Budget Act for applications submitted pursuant to this article that demonstrate positive student outcomes consistent with the goals and guidance described in Section 78072.
(c) To the maximum extent feasible, funds received by a community college under this article shall be used for, but not be limited to, any of the following supports and services:
(1) Providing any of the following for programs serving all justice-involved students, whether on campus or in custody:
(A) Academic counseling or advising that provides clear pathways.
(B) Academic tutoring.
(C) Financial aid information and application assistance.
(D) Frequent in-person contact.
(E) Professional development for faculty and staff.
(2) Providing any of the following for programs serving formerly incarcerated students on campus:
(A) Peer-to-peer support or mentoring.
(B) Assistance with accessing campus resources, including admissions, financial aid, and student services.
(C) Career counseling and, as feasible, placement services.
(D) Assistance with accessing community resources, including record clearance, housing assistance, mental health support, and social services.
(3) Providing either of the following for programs serving currently incarcerated or detained students:
(A) Transitional materials and services to support students in enrollment and persistence in higher education upon release.
(B) Parity of academic supports and services as provided on campus.
(Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 9, Sec. 8. (AB 123) Effective June 27, 2025.)