(Sacramento, CA) — California has passed a law prohibiting private colleges and universities from giving special treatment, or so-called legacy treatments, to applicants with family connections to alumni or donors. This will be effective from September 1st of 2025.

The law aims to promote fairness in the admissions process. Violations will require detailed disclosures of favoritism without revealing students’ names.

The move makes California the second state, after Maryland, to prohibit legacy admissions at private colleges and universities