Summer break is winding down, and California students are heading back to campuses that look a little different this year. A handful of new state laws are officially kicking in for the 2026–27 school year, touching everything from phone rules to what’s on the cafeteria menu.
Phones are getting put away
The biggest shift students will notice: smartphones. Under the Phone-Free Schools Act, every school district, county office of education, and charter school in California must now have a policy limiting or restricting student cellphone use while on campus. Districts get flexibility in how strict the rules are, but exceptions must be made for emergencies, and policies need to be reviewed at least every five years.
Every campus needs a gender-neutral bathroom
Another new requirement: under Assembly Bill 248, K-12 public and charter schools must now have at least one all-gender restroom available on campus. The rule is part of a broader push toward inclusive facilities across the state’s public school system.
Change is also coming to school food, though not overnight. A new law begins phasing out ultra-processed foods from California school cafeterias, with the process unfolding gradually over the next several years. Certain synthetic food dyes will be banned from school food starting in 2027, while a full list of restricted ultra-processed items is expected by 2029, with complete phase-out by 2035.
Direct admission to Cal State schools
On the academic side, a new law creates a direct admissions pathway to California State University campuses. Eligible high schoolers who complete the required A-G coursework and maintain a minimum GPA will now be notified of automatic admission to participating CSU schools — a move meant to simplify the college application process. The law took effect on January 1, 2026, with full statewide implementation beginning for students applying for fall 2027 admission.
Aditionally, California public schools serving grades 7 through 12, along with colleges that issue student identification cards, must now include contact information for The Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ crisis hotline on student IDs. The requirement was enacted through Assembly Bill 2291.
Proposed bills under review
- Community College Degrees: Bills are pending to simplify how community colleges establish four-year bachelor’s programs.
- AI and Social Media Literacy: Proposals aim to mandate instruction on using artificial intelligence and social media responsibly.
Between phone restrictions, new bathroom requirements, cafeteria changes, and updated academic pathways, this school year brings some real shifts for California students and families.
