California Offers School Citation Reimbursements
Parents of students wrongly cited in San Bernardino County can now request reimbursement for past fines through 2027.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
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California families can now apply for reimbursements for unlawful citations issued under San Bernardino County's former CleanSWEEP program. The state initiative covers fines assessed to minors between 2019 and 2022 following the dismantling of the school-based citation system.
Why it matters
The program was discontinued after state investigators found that minors were improperly cited for minor offenses and forced into adult traffic court without legal counsel. This reimbursement process aims to correct the financial impact and record keeping for impacted students and their families.
Eligible families can request reimbursement for citations issued for daytime loitering, tobacco offenses, or fighting through April 18, 2027. The program, which spanned from 1997 to 2022, primarily impacted students aged 10 to 17.
The players
California Department of Justice
The state agency responsible for overseeing consumer rights and public safety, which led the investigation into unlawful school citation practices.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
The regional law enforcement agency that managed the now-discontinued CleanSWEEP program.
Chaffey Joint Union High School District
A local education entity involved in the settlement agreements regarding student citations.
The details
Under the CleanSWEEP program, school officials were trained to issue citations directly to students, who were then required to appear in adult traffic court without legal representation. Citations issued to children under age 12 since January 1, 2019, and tobacco-related citations issued after June 6, 2019, are now considered unlawful. Following the program's January 2024 dismantling, the Sheriff's Department updated policies to require that all future citations be drafted by sworn deputies and follow independent law enforcement investigations.
Timeline
1997: The CleanSWEEP program launched in San Bernardino County.
January 1, 2019: Start date for unlawful citations for those under age 12.
June 6, 2019: Start date for unlawful tobacco-related citations.
2022: The CleanSWEEP program was suspended.
January 2024: The CleanSWEEP program was officially dismantled.
The Home Front
This development represents a significant shift in how regional school districts and local law enforcement collaborate on student discipline. It aligns with broader state efforts to ensure that disciplinary measures for minors remain within the appropriate juvenile justice framework.
Families who received citations under this program should review their records to see if they meet the criteria for reimbursement before the April 2027 deadline. Consult with a qualified legal professional if you have questions about how these historical citations may currently affect your child's legal or academic record.
The takeaway
Families should check if any citations issued between 2019 and 2022 qualify for the new state reimbursement program. Save all documentation related to court appearances or fine payments to assist in the submission process before the April 18, 2027, deadline.
Further reading
Learn more about local school policies in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Redlands Daily Facts.
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