(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Admission by exception” means the process by which a campus admits applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the segment, or guaranteed admission to a campus of the segment, but who demonstrate high potential for success and leadership in an academic or special talent program at the campus.

(2) “Campus” means a campus of the California State University or the University of California.

(3) “Senior campus administrator” shall not include any staff associated with campus development, external affairs, fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations, or alumni outreach.

(4) “Special talent program” refers to a campus’ program that requires additional admissions review to determine the qualification of an applicant for admission into that program. Special talent program includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a campus’ athletic or fine arts program.

(b) A campus shall not admit a student by admission by exception unless the student’s admission by exception has been approved, before the student’s enrollment, by a minimum of three senior campus administrators.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a campus may admit, by admission by exception, a California resident who is receiving an institution-based scholarship to attend the campus or an applicant who is accepted by an educational opportunity program for admission to the campus.

(d) A campus that admits a student by admission by exception shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Document its employees who were involved in the evaluation of the student’s application for admission.

(2) Establish a policy that applies articulated standards to the campus’ admissions by exception decisions. The standards shall include minimum procedural requirements and shall include an explanation for choosing the standards that supports their application as fair and appropriate.

(e) A campus that admits a student by admission by exception into an athletics program shall establish a policy requiring the student to participate in the program for a minimum of one academic year.

(f) (1) Upon request, a campus shall report to the Legislature, pursuant to § 9795 of the Government Code, any information that is required to be established or documented pursuant to this section.

(2) The campus shall submit information to the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (1) to the extent permitted by state and federal privacy laws, including, but not limited to, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g).

(g) This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit the University of California from adopting policies that impose additional restrictions on or requirements for admission by exception.

(h) This section shall become operative commencing with admissions for the 2021-22 academic year.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 47, Sec. 1. (AB 251) Effective January 1, 2022.)