Stop SB 414 In California – Demand Accountability for Charter Schools!

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SB 414, a dangerous bill, has passed the California Senate and heads to the Assembly Education Committee on July 16. It must be stopped. If enacted, it would give charter schools tort liability protection, shielding them from legal consequences, even in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Why it matters:

  • SB 414 protects charter operators, not the public. It weakens accountability and makes it harder to hold bad actors responsible.
  • The A3 scandal could happen again. That $400+ million charter fraud—the largest in U.S. history—shows what’s at stake. SB 414 does nothing to prevent a repeat.
  • There’s a better alternative. AB 84, moving through the Legislature, would create an Education Inspector General, strengthen oversight, and close loopholes—based on expert recommendations following the A3 case.

SB 414 is bad for students, taxpayers, and public education. It removes safeguards that ensure education dollars go to instruction, not profiteering.

Take Action Now:

  • Use the email contact forms available HERE to email members of the Assembly Education Committee. Below are two email messages to choose from, which you can cut and paste to get started. 
  • Call members of the Assembly Education Committee. You can find their phone numbers here. You can use tweak the email messages to use as a script. 

Sample Messages:

 Letter 1

Subject: Please Vote NO on SB 414 – California Needs More Oversight, Not Less

Dear [Assemblymember],

I’m writing to urge you to oppose SB 414 when it comes before the Assembly Education Committee.

SB 414 would give charter schools liability protections that shield them from public accountability—an alarming prospect given the $400+ million A3 charter school fraud, the largest in U.S. history. That scandal made it painfully clear that stronger—not weaker—oversight is needed.

There is a better solution: AB 84, which implements expert-backed reforms, such as the creation of an Education Inspector General, and brings transparency to charter operations.

SB 414 does nothing to prevent future fraud. In fact, it invites it.

Please stand with students and taxpayers. Vote NO on SB 414.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Letter 2

Dear[  Assemblymember],

As a California resident and supporter of strong public education, I’m deeply concerned about SB 414, which will soon be considered by the Assembly Education Committee.

This bill would protect charter schools from tort claims, making it harder to hold them accountable—even in cases of mismanagement, abuse, or fraud. After the shocking A3 charter scandal cost taxpayers over $400 million, the Legislature should be focused on closing loopholes, not creating new ones.

California already has a thoughtful alternative in AB 84, which strengthens audit rules and oversight authority based on the recommendations of the LAO, FCMAT, and legal authorities who responded to the A3 disaster.

SB 414 would remove essential safeguards and erode public trust in how education dollars are used.

Please reject this dangerous bill and vote NO on SB 414.

Thank you,
[Your Name]