California Ends Parental Arrests Over Truancy as Newsom Repeals Kamala Harris-Era Law

Parents in California will no longer face criminal charges if their children miss school regularly, following a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that repeals a controversial truancy policy once championed by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris.
On October 1, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill 461, officially removing the 2011 law from the state’s penal code that made it a misdemeanor offense for parents whose children were “chronically truant”  defined as missing 10% or more of school days in an academic year, beginning in kindergarten.
The now-repealed law was originally introduced by Harris as part of a broader effort to address chronic absenteeism in California’s public schools. At the time, the initiative gained support for its tough stance on education neglect but was criticized by civil rights groups and education advocates who argued it disproportionately affected low-income families and failed to address the root causes of truancy.
Under the 2011 statute, parents could be fined up to $2,000 or face jail time of up to a year. In some counties, particularly in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, parents were arrested and prosecuted, often sparking public backlash. Critics said the law criminalized poverty and ignored systemic issues like housing instability, lack of transportation, and insufficient access to child care.
Now, with the passage of AB 461, California has shifted its approach. The new law focuses on non-punitive interventions, aiming to support families rather than penalize them.
“Criminalizing parents doesn’t get kids to school. Support does,” said Assemblymember Mia Bonta, who authored the bill. “This is about compassion, understanding, and doing what works.”
Governor Newsom echoed the sentiment in a statement, noting the need for policies that “reflect the realities families face” and “offer real solutions to educational challenges.”
The repeal comes amid broader national conversations about education reform, attendance post-COVID, and the role of law enforcement in family life. Education experts say this move may inspire similar reforms in other states with strict truancy laws.
With the new law in place, school districts are expected to implement alternative strategies, such as counseling, family outreach, and academic support services, to combat chronic absenteeism.