KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-1401 • 2026

Pupil records: parental access.

Pupil records: parental access.

Children Education Parental Rights
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Patterson
Last action
2025-05-13
Official status
From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how schools must handle requests or if current practices will change.

Parental Access to School Records

This law clarifies that parents can access both official and unofficial school records for their children.

What This Bill Does

  • Clarifies that parents have the right to see both official and unofficial school records of their children.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Parents and guardians of children enrolled in public schools
  • Schools that keep student records

Terms To Know

Official school records
Documents kept by schools as part of the official record-keeping process.
Unofficial school records
School documents that are not officially required but may still be important for understanding a student's education.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how schools must handle requests to see these records.
  • It is unclear if this law will change current practices regarding the sharing of information with parents.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-13 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  2. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage.

  3. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on ED. and P. & C.P.

  4. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  5. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  6. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1401, as introduced, Patterson.
Pupil records: parental access.
Existing law provides that parents and guardians of children enrolled in public schools have the right and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children within the public schools, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as specified, to include, among other things, having access to the school records of their child.
This bill would expressly provide in that latter provision that school records include both official and unofficial school records. The bill also would delete an obsolete reference.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF