Today's Law As Amended


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AB-435 Public social services: automated application process.(2023-2024)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.
 The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
(a) The Legislature recognizes that only 20 percent of the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) automation activities are devoted to migration, while 60 percent are devoted to automating county initiatives.
(b)  It is the intent of the Legislature, with respect to CalSAWS automation activities, that legislative initiatives, such as Section 10007 of the Welfare and Institutions Code as added by Section 2 of this act, shall be prioritized over county initiatives.

SEC. 2.

 Section 10007 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

10007.
 (a) The statewide electronic application system established pursuant to Chapter 4.1 (commencing with Section 10816) of Part 2 shall accept and process applications for the Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants (Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 18937) of Part 6), the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program under paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 13650, and Refugee Cash Assistance (Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13275)).
(b) Within 60 days from the effective date of the act that added this section, the State Department of Social Services shall report to the budget committees and policy committees of the Legislature responsible for the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) on the department’s plan to ensure that potential beneficiaries of programs specified in subdivision (a) are able to apply for those programs through the BenefitsCal online portal by December 1, 2024, or when the department notifies the Legislature that CalSAWS can perform the necessary automation to implement it, whichever is later.
(c) A report submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be submitted in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

SEC. 3.

 Section 10008 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

10008.
 A county social services department shall post on its internet website general information identifying available immigrant benefit services, including, but not limited to, the Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants (Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 18937) of Part 6), the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program under paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 13650, and Refugee Cash Assistance (Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13275)).
SEC. 4.
 Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services shall implement this act by all-county letters or similar instructions, beginning no later than March 1, 2024, until regulations are adopted, or when the department notifies the Legislature that CalSAWS can perform the necessary automation to implement it, whichever is later.
SEC. 5.
 If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.