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AB-1155 • 2026

Law schools: externships: compensation.

Law schools: externships: compensation.

Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Fong
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary states provisions apply to UC only if Regents act by resolution; the effective date is August 1, 2026.

Law School Externship Pay Rules

Starting August 1, 2026, this law requires accredited California law schools to allow students to receive pay from externships while earning course credit.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires ABA-accredited or California-accredited law schools at the University of California or independent institutions to let students get paid during externships with school credit starting August 1, 2026.
  • Treats any requirement on a University of California law school as a request to the Regents.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law students at ABA-accredited or California-accredited schools in California
  • The University of California and its Regents
  • Independent institutions of higher education with accredited law programs

Terms To Know

Externship site
A place where a student works to gain experience, as defined by the bill.
Regents of the University of California
The governing body for the UC system that must act by resolution to apply these rules.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Rules only apply to the University of California if the Regents pass a resolution.
  • The bill does not specify how much money students can earn or what types of compensation are allowed.
  • The exact definition of an 'externship site' is referenced in the law but not detailed here.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Law schools: externships: compensation.