2026 Policy Priorities
Back to the Start’s legislative priorities are grounded in upstream investments and policies that ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We support evidence-based preventative solutions that promote healthy families and communities, rather than costly punitive approaches that perpetuate trauma and harm. After extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement, we will be focusing our legislative advocacy efforts on the following bills for 2026.
HEALTH & EDUCATION
AB 2247 (ELHAWARY): T.H.R.I.V.E ACT FOR YOUTH SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE
Provides funding for youth survivors and witnesses of gun violence to receive free, timely mental health and counseling services regardless of immigration status or prior/current involvement with the juvenile justice system.
AB 1851 (GIPSON): STUDENT HEALTH: SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING
Establishes a statewide, integrated framework for social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices in California schools.
INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITIES
AB 1969 (BONTA): ITS TAKES A VILLAGE ACT OF 2026
Provides grant funding to neighborhood and regional partnership entities to implement place-based solutions to reduce child poverty and advance economic mobility for children and families disproportionately affected by intergenerational poverty.
YOUTH JUSTICE
SB 1009 (BECKER): LIMITING UNNECESSARY YOUTH DETENTION
Limits unnecessary detention in juvenile hall by prioritizing placing minors who are awaiting a court hearing at home or in less restrictive alternatives, except when it is necessary that the minor be detained in juvenile hall for their own or another's protection.
AB 1659 (RANSOM): SUPPORTING YOUTH TRANSITIONING FROM CUSTODY INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Strengthens support for juveniles transitioning out of custody and into local school districts by employing a school district transition liaison to ensure timely school placement and transfer of credits completed while in custody.
Want to help support? Click below for instructions on how to write letters of support including letter templates. (Instructions and Fact Sheets are in the letter headers)
2025 policy priorities, click here.