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Public School Districts Cannot be Sued Under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act for Disability Discrimination

In a case of first impression, the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District, recently held that a school district is not a "business establishment" and therefore cannot be liable for disability discrimination under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51 (Unruh Act).

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New Regulations Regarding Uniform Complaint Procedures Took Effect July 1, 2020

On July 1, 2020, new regulations went into effect regarding Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) found at Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 4600 through 4670.

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SB 98, COVID-19 and Special Education: What's Next?

SB 98 is the recent Education Budget Trailer Bill signed into law by Gavin Newsom on June 29, 2020. Among other things, it was enacted to protect school funding from uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pair of Cases Uphold School Districts' Limitations on Parent Communications and Access to Campus

Parents have legal rights to access school campuses, advocate for their children, and otherwise be involved in their students' education. However, in a pair of recent cases, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, affirmed, again, that these rights are not unlimited, and are subject to restriction if parents cannot adhere to a school's standards of conduct.

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Special Considerations for Students with Exceptional Needs Related to School Closures Due to COVID-19

The following information expands on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) issued on March 12, 2020 and March 25, 2020, which provided general guidance for K-12 school districts in responding to the needs of students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Governor Newsom Signs Two Bills Aimed to Assist Local Educational Agencies During COVID-19 Crisis

On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills, Senate Bill (SB) 117 and SB 89, into law which provide for emergency funding to help fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and help to clarify the law as it relates to school districts.

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Special Considerations for Students with Exceptional Needs Related to School Closures Due to COVID-19

The following updates and expands on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) we issued on March 12, 2020 (available here), which provided general guidance for K-12 school districts in responding to the needs of students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Student Attendance Issues in Response to COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel respiratory disease that has affected communities worldwide. Cases of COVID-19 have recently appeared in several California communities, prompting a significant number of school closures around the state.

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Special Considerations for Students with Exceptional Needs Related to School Closures Due to COVID-19

COVID-19 is a novel form of coronavirus which causes respiratory disease that has affected communities worldwide, and cases of COVID-19 recently appeared in California communities, prompting concerns about student wellness, attendance, instruction, and school operations.

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