AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols
Oct 11, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0077 · Published 2026-10-11 · Version 3 · Final
AB 2460 requires California education officials and covered local educational agencies to review mental-health referral guidance for immigration-related emergencies. The September 18 law sets different state and local deadlines and recognizes existing local policies that already include the specified guidance.
What happened
California chaptered AB 2460 on September 18 as Chapter 301. By July 1, 2027, the Department of Education must consult appropriate stakeholders, review its model pupil behavioral-health referral protocols, and update them as necessary to include equity-centered mental-health support during a local emergency involving immigration enforcement or deportation affecting pupils or their families. The law builds on the existing statewide referral-protocol framework rather than establishing a new clinical licensing or private-provider reporting system.
Covered local educational agencies have a separate July 1, 2028 deadline to review and, as necessary, update the referral policies adopted under Education Code section 49428.2. Updated policies may use the state model or be developed with school and community stakeholders and school-linked behavioral-health professionals; at minimum, they must address referrals to behavioral-health professionals and support services. An existing policy may satisfy the law if it already contains the required guidance. For health care partners, the source describes coordination through those school referral pathways, not an immediate independent policy mandate on every outside clinician.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- General intelligence
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Recorded date
- 2027-07-01
- Date type
- implementation
Why it matters
School systems and community mental-health partners may need to update referral protocols for immigration-enforcement emergencies on the bill’s stated schedule.
Recommended action
School-based mental-health partners should identify covered grade 7–12 education agencies, monitor the July 2027 model protocols and plan coordination with their July 2028 policy review. Confirm referral and crisis contacts; this law does not impose an immediate private-provider policy filing.
Sources
- AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-03 · Source review 2026-09-20
- AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols, current bill text (08/30/26 - Enrolled)Official · California Legislature · 2026-08-30 · Source review 2026-09-10
- AB2460 current official textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-03 · Source review 2026-10-11
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