Today's Law As Amended


Bill PDF |Add To My Favorites | print page

AB-3149 Promotores and Promotoras Advisory and Oversight Workgroup.(2023-2024)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.
 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Promotoras are a predominantly women-led, Latina workforce.
(b) Promotoras are trusted members of traditionally underserved communities who are essential workers that connect their neighbors to information, resources, and advocacy services.
(c) Promotoras are community health workers, with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics describing community health workers as those who promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors and access health services.
(d) Promotoras provide culturally and linguistically relevant education and information to promote health and wellness, reduce access barriers, and navigate individuals and families to health and behavioral health programs, preventive screenings, food and housing security, education, employment training, and more.
(e) Therefore, defining and recognizing Promotoras as a women-led, Latina resource for underrepresented communities to governmental systems is a critical step to ensuring equity in California’s services to diverse communities.

SEC. 2.

 Section 18998.55 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

18998.55.
 (a) By no later than January 1, 2025, and until December 31, 2026, the California Health and Human Services Agency shall convene the Promotores and Promotoras Advisory and Oversight Workgroup to provide perspective and guidance to changes in the health and human services delivery system, including, but not limited to, the Medi-Cal program.
(b) The Secretary shall appoint no fewer than nine individuals with at least 10 years experience working in California as, or with, Promotores or Promotoras, as included in the definition of community health worker in subdivision (b) of Section 18998. The workgroup shall be comprised of no less than 51 percent Promotores or Promotoras, including, but not limited to, a representative from a statewide network of Promotores or Promotoras and community health workers, a representative from a community-based organization, a representative from a health clinic or community health center, and a representative from a regional organization. Appointees shall be from geographically diverse areas of the state.
(c) The workgroup shall have all of the following duties:
(1) Advising the departments under the agency to ensure that services provided by Promotores or Promotoras are available and accessible to all eligible populations.
(2) Advising the agency to ensure that Promotores and Promotoras training and outreach materials are culturally and linguistically appropriate.
(3) Making recommendations on outreach efforts so that all eligible Medi-Cal recipients and other target populations are aware of the availability of these services provided by Promotores and Promotoras.
(4) Providing input on issues that should be informed by community representatives who have lived experience with using and navigating Promotores or Promotoras services and the Medi-Cal program.