California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill repealing the controversial anti-truancy law that Kamala Harris championed during her tenure as San Francisco district attorney. The law, enacted in 2011, penalized parents of chronically truant children with misdemeanors, fines up to $2,000, and potential jail time. It defined a “chronic truant” as a child absent for 10 percent or more of school days in a year.
The repeal of AB 461, was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. Ahrens, motivated by his own childhood experiences, emphasized that the repeal was not aimed at Harris personally. The original law faced criticism for criminalizing parents without providing support. During her presidential campaign, Harris expressed regret, stating, “I regret that that has happened, and the thought that anything I did could have led to that.”
The repeal comes amid speculation about both Harris and Newsom as potential contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. The two have a long history in California politics, having moved in the same circles in San Francisco before advancing to statewide positions.
Politico reports that the repeal marks a significant shift in California’s approach to addressing truancy, focusing more on support than punishment.
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