Code Section

18997.51.  

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Account,” “trust account,” or “HOPE trust account,” means the California Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment (HOPE) for Children Trust Account in the name of an eligible child or eligible youth.

(b) “Board” means the California Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment (HOPE) for Children Trust Account Program Board established pursuant to Section 18997.52.

(c) “Department” means the State Department of Social Services.

(d) “Eligible child” means a minor resident of California who is under 18 years of age, has not emancipated from their parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian, and meets one of the following qualifications:

(1) They reside in California and their parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian died during the federally declared COVID-19 public health emergency, and the cause of death for the parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian is listed as COVID-19 on their death certificate or they died as a consequence of having long-term COVID-19, and the minor’s family household income, considering the income prior to the death of the parent, is at or below the income that would make the child eligible for Medi-Cal benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3. For purposes of this paragraph, “family household” means one or more persons, all of whom are related by marriage, birth, adoption, or guardianship, and “federal poverty level” means the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of Section 9902(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(2) (A) A foster child who resides in California, or is a California resident who is placed out of state by a juvenile or tribal court, and meets both of the following:

(i) The child has been adjudged a dependent child of the juvenile court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Section 300, or the child has been adjudged a ward of the juvenile court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Section 601 or 602, or the child is a dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law and the tribe has notified the department about the child's status as a dependent child under the tribal court. The department shall not require an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, tribal organization, or tribal court representative to notify the department of any child who is a dependent of the tribal court.

(ii) The child meets one of the following:

(I) The child is subject to a foster care order, has been in foster care for at least 18 months, and reunification services have been terminated by an order of a juvenile or tribal court.

(II) The child is subject to a foster care order after 16 years of age, and reunification services have been terminated by an order of a juvenile or tribal court.

(B) Notwithstanding clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), if the child reunifies with their parent or legal guardian, is adopted, enters into a tribal customary adoption, or is placed into a legal guardianship, at any point in time subsequent to meeting the qualification specified in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), the child shall remain an eligible child and program enrollee and shall be able to access their HOPE trust account, but shall no longer be eligible for annual contributions effective 12 months following the date of reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship, or until the child reaches 18 years of age, whichever is sooner.

(e) “Eligible youth” means a program enrollee for whom a HOPE trust account was established and who is now eligible to withdraw or transfer funds from their HOPE trust account.

(f) “Fund” means the California Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment (HOPE) for Children Trust Account Fund created pursuant to Section 18997.53.

(g) “HOPE Trust Account Program” or “program” means the California Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment (HOPE) for Children Trust Account Program established pursuant to the this chapter.

(h) “Program enrollee” means an eligible child who has been enrolled in the program and whose parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian has not opted the child out of program participation, and an eligible youth who was enrolled as an eligible child in the program and has not terminated their participation.