Some of the biggest changes coming to California classrooms in 2026

California classrooms will look and feel different in 2026 — with new limits on cellphones, expanded protections for immigrant families, gender-neutral bathrooms and healthier school meals rolling out statewide as a slate of new education laws takes effect for the state’s 5.8 million K-12 students.

The changes come after a turbulent stretch for California schools, as districts juggled declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism and stagnant test scores. At the same time, mounting pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and immigration has left school districts and universities scrambling to shield students from raids while protecting programs and federal dollars — even as dozens of federal investigations loom.

Here are some of the biggest changes Californians can expect in classrooms and campuses beginning this year:

Gender-neutral bathrooms

School districts, county offices of education and charter schools must provide at least one gender-neutral bathroom at each school site by July 1, under Senate Bill 760, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023.

The law requires the bathroom to be open to students of all genders, unlocked and readily accessible. It does not apply to campuses that have only one boys’ and one girls’ bathroom, nor does it include kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students. Schools can redesign an existing bathroom to meet the requirement.

The mandate comes amid years of debate across the Bay Area and beyond over gender-neutral bathrooms and locker rooms.

Protections from immigration enforcement activity

As the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement nationwide, California lawmakers approved a package of laws aimed at limiting how and when immigration officers can operate on school and college campuses.

In September, Newsom signed a first-of-its-kind law prohibiting federal law enforcement and immigration officers from concealing their identities and barring their access to schools and health care facilities without a warrant or court order.

Two additional measures — Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 98 — further expanded those protections.

AB 49, also known as the California Safe Haven Schools Act, prohibits school employees from allowing immigration officers onto campuses or sharing student information without a warrant or court order. When officers are permitted on campus, the law restricts them to areas where students are not present. The Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Board of Education co-sponsored the bill.

SB 98, the Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act, requires K-12 schools and public universities to notify students and staff when immigration enforcement officers are present on campus.

As a result of the new legislation, all schools must submit local policies governing immigration enforcement to the California Department of Education by March 2026. Schools may be subject to monitoring and auditing by the department to ensure compliance.

Another law, Assembly Bill 495 — the Family Preparedness Plan Act — expands who can make decisions for children if their parents are detained or deported. As of Jan. 1, adults related to a child by blood or adoption within five generations can be authorized to enroll a child in school or make medical decisions about their care on campus.

Ban on ultra-processed foods in school meals

Under a first-in-the-nation law, Assembly Bill 1264, California schools will begin phasing out “particularly harmful” ultra-processed foods from student meals.

The state has until July 1 to define which foods fall under that category. Schools will then have until 2029 to begin removing restricted items from meals and beverages, with a full prohibition taking effect by 2035.

Cellphone restrictions

Schools must limit or ban smartphone use on school campuses by July 1 under Assembly Bill 3216 — also known as the Phone-Free School Act.

Newsom signed the legislation in 2024, making California the sixth state to restrict cellphone use in schools. The law allows districts to craft their own policies, leaving decisions about enforcement and exemptions — such as for medical needs or emergencies — to local leaders.

Newsom urged districts to make changes immediately, citing concerns that excessive phone use among young people can lead to increased anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Bay Area districts, however, remained split on the issue, with some adopting bans and others arguing the decision should remain local.

Easier college admissions

Eligible California high school seniors will be automatically admitted to participating California State University campuses through a new direct-admission program created under Senate Bill 640.

The program will notify students who have completed required coursework and met GPA thresholds, offering admission to one of 16 participating campuses, but not necessarily a student’s campus of choice.

The law also directs the California Community Colleges system to develop programs that streamline transfers to four-year universities.

Expanded mental health resources for LGBTQ+ students

Beginning July 1, student ID cards for grades 7 through 12 and public universities must include a 24/7 crisis hotline operated by the Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention and mental health support to LGBTQ+ youth.

Student ID cards are already required to list suicide prevention and domestic violence hotlines. The change comes after the Trump administration cut funding for specialized national crisis hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth over the summer.

Efforts to address antisemitism and discrimination

One of the most contentious laws taking effect this year, Assembly Bill 715, creates a new Office of Civil Rights and establishes a first-in-the-nation statewide Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator.

The coordinator — appointed by Newsom and confirmed by the state Senate — will track and report incidents of antisemitism in schools and advise districts on prevention and response strategies.

Faculty and teacher unions strongly opposed the bill, warning it could chill free speech and academic inquiry. Supporters argue the measure provides long-overdue oversight and consistency in how schools address antisemitism.