Newsom signs California law expanding work permits for foster and justice-involved youth

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2524 on Sept. 30, creating a new route to work permits for eligible foster and juvenile-justice-involved youth starting Jan. 1, 2027. Supporters say the change could reduce barriers to lawful work and help young people avoid homelessness, exploitation and financial instability.

Why it matters: - AB 2524 creates a new employment pathway for foster and justice-involved youth who can face barriers to getting work permits through schools. - Supporters say easier access to lawful employment can help reduce risks tied to homelessness, exploitation, human trafficking and unstable income. - The law is meant to give eligible youth more access to job experience, income and adult support before they age out of care or supervision.

What happened: - Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2524 into law on Sept. 30. - The bill was authored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, D-Carson, and sponsored by Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action, or PESA. - The legislation received unanimous approval in the Legislature. - The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The details: - AB 2524 establishes an alternative to the traditional school-based work permit process for eligible youth under juvenile court jurisdiction. - Educational rights holders and attorneys representing eligible youth may submit work permit requests under the new process. - County probation departments and county child welfare agencies are authorized to review and issue permits to qualifying youth under their jurisdiction. - The law preserves existing child labor protections, educational requirements and school oversight. - Existing California law generally requires minors to get work permits through their schools with a written application from a parent, guardian, foster parent, caregiver or another authorized adult. - Youth who move between foster homes, group homes and other placements can struggle with changing school districts, attendance disruptions and inconsistent relationships with school staff. - County probation departments and child welfare agencies can also coordinate applications, engage caregivers and connect youth to workforce development resources.

Between the lines: - The bill shifts part of the permit process closer to the agencies already managing a young person’s case. - That could reduce a paperwork barrier, but the practical impact will depend on how quickly counties adopt and implement the new process. - PESA framed the legislation as a way to fold employment access into broader case plans for vulnerable youth. - The policy also reflects a broader strategy: pair workforce access with other supports to lower long-term public costs tied to crisis intervention.

What's next: - PESA plans to provide technical assistance, education and implementation guidance to county probation departments and child welfare agencies. - The organization will not issue permits itself. - PESA said it will conduct statewide outreach to encourage adoption of the new process. - County agencies and youth-serving organizations interested in implementation support are encouraged to contact PESA. - PESA also said it hopes the model can inform similar workforce-access efforts nationally.

The bottom line: - AB 2524 gives California a new tool to connect vulnerable youth with legal work earlier, with the goal of improving stability now and outcomes later. - The law’s real test will be whether counties use the new authority widely and consistently.