A UC Merced survey found 24 of California’s 115 community colleges still told students on their websites that unpaid balances could block access to transcripts, despite a 2020 state law outlawing the practice. Administrators say web pages were outdated and that campuses comply with the law, but student advocates say the misinformation risks coercive debt collection and lost opportunities for employment or further study. Transcript holds historically prevented students from transferring credits or proving credentials; the California law aimed to remove that barrier and has since inspired similar measures in other states and a federal rule. The persistence of incorrect online statements suggests implementation gaps in institutional communications and raises questions about oversight and student outreach. Colleges should audit public‑facing materials and update procedures to prevent inadvertent compliance violations; state higher‑education offices may increase monitoring or issue guidance to ensure consistent practice.