Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), in a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Regional Fire Training Center on Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, celebrated the passage of Assembly Bill 1728.

The bill was authored by Assemblymember Juan Alanis, a longstanding partner and advocate for the YCCD and its students.

Chaptered on Sept.15, 2026, AB 1728 directs California Community Colleges to develop an implementation and funding plan for a common course numbering and alignment system for career technical education public safety courses, including firefighting and law enforcement programs. Supported by YCCD, the legislation builds upon California’s existing Common Course Numbering system and addresses longstanding challenges faced by fire, law enforcement, and public safety students who often encounter inconsistent course titles and numbering systems across colleges, making it difficult for students to transfer credits and often creating duplicate coursework. Expanding course alignment for fire and law enforcement programs will make educational pathways easier to navigate for students statewide and strengthen California’s pipeline of first responders into public safety careers.

“Assemblymember Juan Alanis has been an exceptional ally to Yosemite Community College District and a tireless advocate for students pursuing careers in public safety,” said YCCD Interim Chancellor Lena Tran. “AB 1728 reflects a shared commitment to removing unnecessary barriers for firefighters, law enforcement professionals, and other first responders seeking to advance their education. By creating greater consistency across California’s community colleges, this legislation will help students complete their degrees faster. We are grateful for Assemblymember Alanis’ partnership and leadership in championing a solution that will benefit generations of public safety professionals.”

Scheduled to attend the event were Assemblymember Alanis, along with members of the YCCD Board of Trustees, staff and leadership from Modesto Junior College and Columbia College.