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AB-2982 Prenatal-to-3 working group.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 04/02/2024 09:00 PM
AB2982:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 02, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2982

Introduced by Assembly Member Reyes

February 16, 2024

An act to add and repeal Section 130136 of the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 35 (commencing with Section 10493) of Part 1.8 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to health and human services.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2982, as amended, Reyes. California Children and Families Act of 1998: Prenatal-to-3 working group.
The California Children and Families Act of 1998, an initiative measure approved by the voters as Proposition 10 at the November 3, 1998, statewide general election, requires that the California Children and Families Program, established by the act, be funded by certain surtaxes imposed on the sale and distribution of cigarettes and tobacco products and deposited into the California Children and Families Trust Fund, and that the fund be used for the implementation of comprehensive early childhood development and smoking prevention programs. Existing law establishes a state commission, the California Children and Families Commission, also known as First 5 California, with specified powers and duties relating to the administration of the act on a state level. Existing law establishes the California Health and Human Services Agency, which includes departments charged with the administration of health, social, and other human services. Existing law establishes the Early Childhood Policy Council to advise on statewide early learning and care policy.
This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish, by March 1, 2025, a workgroup with specified membership, including members from First 5 county commissions, to create recommendations for a statewide comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-3 system agenda, as specified. The bill would require the workgroup to submit its recommendations to the administration and to the Legislature by January 31, 2026. 2026, and to provide updates to the Early Childhood Policy Council before that date.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 35 (commencing with Section 10493) is added to Part 1.8 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
CHAPTER  35. Prenatal-to-Three System Agenda Workgroup

10493.
 (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) California has made important strides in supporting young children and their families; however, significant gaps remain, and it is critical that we comprehensively address the particular needs of California’s infants and toddlers and their families.
(2) The state’s system of supports for young children, particularly those up to three years of age, must become more integrated, coordinated, and equity focused to achieve the goals of an early childhood system designed to comprehensively and effectively serve babies, toddlers, and their families in all 58 counties.
(3) Accordingly, it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to support the unique needs of young children from prenatal to three years of age. This includes providing recommendations about the future of First 5 county commissions and how they function within the larger prenatal system to ensure alignment and partnership, as tobacco use decreases and the recent flavored tobacco ban was enacted.
(b) The California Health and Human Services Agency shall convene a workgroup by March 1, 2025, to craft evidence-based and community-informed recommendations for a statewide comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-three system agenda.
(c) The workgroup shall be composed of 12 members, with a focus on including individuals representing community groups that serve young children and their families, including those who have experience with child physical and mental health, early intervention, early learning and care, and family well-being and support, First 5 county commissions representing rural, urban, and suburban areas throughout the state, the Legislature, state agencies, and experts on state and local early childhood finance, as follows:
(1) Four individuals selected by the Governor, including two cochairs of the workgroup.
(2) Four individuals selected by the Senate President pro Tempore.
(3) Four individuals selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(d) The workgroup shall review current policies and practices at the state and local level related to the following:
(1) Early childhood systems, including First 5 county commission infrastructure and needs.
(2) Outlining additional recommendations for system building, including financing, data, and the needs of children and their families facing the greatest systemic challenges, including children of color, low-income children, and children with delays, disabilities, or complex care needs.
(3) Working with state agencies to ensure alignment and partnership so that all of California’s young children and their families can thrive.
(e) The workgroup shall submit its recommendations to the administration and to the Legislature by January 31, 2026. Before January 31, 2026, the workgroup shall provide updates to the Early Childhood Policy Council to ensure that the council is informed on the workgroup’s recommendations.
(f) The report submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(g) The workgroup is subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(h) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.

SECTION 1.Section 130136 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
130136.

(a)The department shall convene a workgroup by March 1, 2025, to craft evidence-based and community-informed recommendations for a statewide comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-three system agenda.

(b)The workgroup shall be composed of 12 members, with a focus on including individuals representing community groups that serve young children and their families, First 5 commissions, and state designees from the California Health and Human Services Agency and its associated departments, legislative members, and researchers, including a member or members with state and local financing expertise, as follows:

(1)Four individuals selected by the Governor, including two cochairs of the workgroup.

(2)Four individuals selected by the Senate President pro Tempore.

(3)Four individuals selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(c)The workgroup shall review current policies and practices at the state and local level related to the following:

(1)Early childhood systems, including local First 5 California infrastructure and needs.

(2)Outlining additional recommendations for system building, including financing, data, and the needs of specific subpopulations of young children.

(3)Working with state agencies to ensure alignment and partnership so that all of California’s young children and their families can thrive.

(d)The workgroup shall submit its recommendations to the administration and to the Legislature by January 31, 2026.

(e)A report submitted pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(f)Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.