Cal. Educ. Code § 56342.1

Before a local educational agency places an individual with exceptional needs in, or refers an individual to, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, the district, special education local plan area, or county office of education shall initiate and conduct a meeting to develop an individualized education program in accordance with Sections 56341.1 and 56345 and in accordance with Section 300.325(a) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. An individual with exceptional needs shall not be referred to, or placed in, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school unless his or her individualized education program specifies that the placement is appropriate.