SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D-Santa Clarita) presented Assembly Bill (AB) 853 on the Assembly Floor Monday. AB 853 addresses one of the greatest financial burdens of paying for college — rent.

Currently, ScholarShare, a college savings plan, is not authorized to directly pay for expenses such as rent. This bill alleviates additional costs associated with college and streamlines recordkeeping for these expenses.

“Many prospective students view college as a pathway to a better life,” Assemblywoman Smith said. “There is, however, a dichotomy between the importance of attending college and its expense. I’m proud my bill tackles college affordability so bright minds are not deterred from satiating their curiosities.”

AB 853 proposes changes to allow for distributions from a ScholarShare 529 account to third parties for the purpose of paying for qualified higher education expenses. With this bill, California would join nine other states across the nation in authorizing room-and-board payments from a college savings plan account.

“It’s time California rose up to the task to address the burdensome price tag associated with the cost of college,” Assemblywoman Smith said. “We must expand our definition of college affordability to more than just tuition. Students should live full lives inside and outside college classrooms and not have to worry about making ends meet to pay for rent.”

AB 853 now heads to Senate committees for voting.

Assemblywoman Christy Smith represents California’s 38th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Agua Dulce, Castaic, Santa Susana Knolls and North San Fernando Valley.