(a) A male or female pupil, 18 years of age or younger, may enroll in the Cal-SAFE program and be eligible for all services afforded to pupils enrolled if he or she is an expectant parent, the custodial parent, or the noncustodial parent taking an active role in the care and supervision of the child, and has not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(b) A pupil who is an expectant parent, custodial parent, or noncustodial parent taking an active role in the care and supervision of his or her child, has not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, and has an active special education Individualized Education Plan (IEP) shall be eligible as long as she or he has an active IEP and meets the eligibility criteria as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 56026, and shall continue to receive services identified in the IEP while enrolled in the Cal-SAFE program.

(c) Pupils shall be eligible for enrollment on a voluntary basis for as long as they meet eligibility criteria specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) until they earn a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(d) A pupil may not be denied initial or continuous enrollment in the Cal-SAFE program for any of the following reasons:

(1) The pupil has had multiple pregnancies.

(2) The pupil has more than one child.

(3) The pupil’s eligibility status changed from expectant to parenting.

(e) If an enrolled 18-year-old pupil reaches age 19 without earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, the pupil may be enrolled for one additional semester if the pupil has been continuously enrolled in the Cal-SAFE program since before his or her 19th birthday.

(f) Pupils receiving services under Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11331) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code are eligible for services under this chapter. Child care provided under this article shall be the primary source of child care for these recipients when participating in a Cal-SAFE program operated by school districts or county superintendents of schools.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1168, Sec. 45. Effective September 30, 2002.)