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AB-492 CalWORKs: welfare-to-work: supportive services.(2015-2016)



Current Version: 08/31/16 - Enrolled

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AB492:v94#DOCUMENT

Enrolled  August 31, 2016
Passed  IN  Senate  August 18, 2016
Passed  IN  Assembly  August 30, 2016
Amended  IN  Senate  August 15, 2016
Amended  IN  Senate  June 20, 2016
Amended  IN  Assembly  January 25, 2016
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 26, 2015

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2015–2016 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 492

Introduced by Assembly Members Gonzalez and Gomez
(Principal coauthor: Senator Anderson)
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Gipson)

February 23, 2015

An act to amend Section 11323.2 of, and to add Section 11323.22 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalWORKs.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 492, Gonzalez. CalWORKs: welfare-to-work: supportive services.
Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals. Existing law generally requires a recipient of CalWORKs benefits to participate in welfare-to-work activities as a condition of eligibility for aid. Existing law requires that necessary supportive services be available to participants in welfare-to-work activities, including child care.
This bill would provide that, commencing October 1, 2020, necessary supportive services also include a diaper benefit in the amount of $50 per month for diapers for every child 2 years of age or younger enrolled in child care pursuant to the above-mentioned provisions. The bill would require that the diaper benefit be issued to participants through an electronic benefits transfer system. The bill would specify that the diaper benefit is not income for purposes of determining CalWORKs eligibility or benefits, and that it may be used by a participant only to purchase diapers. By increasing the duties of counties administering these services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 11323.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

11323.2.
 (a) Necessary supportive services shall be available to every participant in order to participate in the program activity to which he or she is assigned or to accept employment or the participant shall have good cause for not participating under subdivision (f) of Section 11320.3. As provided in the welfare-to-work plan entered into between the county and participant pursuant to this article, supportive services shall include all of the following:
(1) Child care.
(A) Paid child care shall be available to every participant with a dependent child in the assistance unit who needs paid child care if the child is 10 years of age or under, or requires child care or supervision due to a physical, mental, or developmental disability or other similar condition as verified by the county welfare department, or who is under court supervision.
(B) To the extent funds are available, paid child care shall be available to a participant with a dependent child in the assistance unit who needs paid child care if the child is 11 or 12 years of age.
(C) Necessary child care services shall be available to every former recipient for up to two years, pursuant to Article 15.5 (commencing with Section 8350) of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(D) A child in foster care receiving benefits under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.) or a child who would become a dependent child except for the receipt of federal Supplemental Security Income benefits pursuant to Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1381 et seq.) shall be deemed to be a dependent child for the purposes of this paragraph.
(E) The provision of care and payment rates under this paragraph shall be governed by Article 15.5 (commencing with Section 8350) of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. Parent fees shall be governed by subdivisions (g) and (h) of Section 8263 of the Education Code.
(2) Commencing October 1, 2020, a diaper benefit in the amount of fifty dollars ($50) per month for diapers for every child two years of age or younger enrolled in child care pursuant to paragraph (1). The diaper benefit may be used by the participant only to purchase diapers.
(A) On and after October 1, 2020, the diaper benefit shall be issued to participants through an electronic benefits transfer system.
(B) The diaper benefit shall not be considered income for purposes of determining eligibility or benefits under this chapter.
(3) Transportation costs, which shall be governed by regional market rates as determined in accordance with regulations established by the department.
(4) Ancillary expenses, which shall include the cost of books, tools, clothing specifically required for the job, fees, and other necessary costs.
(5) Personal counseling. A participant who has personal or family problems that would affect the outcome of the welfare-to-work plan entered into pursuant to this article shall, to the extent available, receive necessary counseling or therapy to help him or her and his or her family adjust to his or her job or training assignment.
(b) If provided in a county plan, the county may continue to provide case management and supportive services under this section to former participants who become employed. The county may provide these services for up to the first 12 months of employment to the extent they are not available from other sources and are needed for the individual to retain the employment.

SEC. 2.

 Section 11323.22 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

11323.22.
 The benefit described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11323.2 may be implemented through a contract or subcontract, including extensions of that contract or subcontract, that results from a request for proposal or bid that occurred prior to the effective date of the act that adds this section, but not if implementation would violate the specific terms of the contract or the Agreement on Government Procurement of the World Trade Organization.

SEC. 3.

 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.