Senator Pérez’s SB 98, the SAFE Act, requiring schools to send alerts about immigration enforcement passes the Senate

SACRAMENTO – SB 98, the SAFE Act authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) to protect school communities in the face of heightened immigration enforcement, has passed the Senate.

The Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act requires K-12 schools and higher education institutions to alert students, parents, faculty, staff and other community members if immigration enforcement authorities are present on campus, similar to early warning systems in place for other emergencies. 

“This is a major step forward. The SAFE Act is vital legislation focused on protecting immigrant students and their families on school campuses,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “We are seeing mass deportations, raids and immigration enforcement authorities showing up at schools.  Our students, educators, and their families have been living in fear constantly looking over their shoulder wondering if immigration enforcement authorities are there to take them away.”

The SAFE Act passed the Senate on Monday with a bipartisan vote. The measure includes an urgency clause, which means it would take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature instead of the normal enactment date of January 1. The SAFE Act now moves the State Assembly for consideration.

 “Under the current federal administration, no place is safe including schools. The SAFE Act will inform and empower school communities to make the best decisions about their safety and their family’s safety. California is committed to ensuring that schools remain places where students can learn, teachers can teach, and classrooms can be safe places for young Californians," said Senator Pérez.

The SAFE Act is a California Latino Legislative Caucus priority bill. The University of California Student Association, California State Student Association, Student Senate for California Community Colleges, California Faculty Association, California State PTA, and GENup are sponsoring the legislation.

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.