Assembly Human Services Committee, Tuesday, March 24, 2026
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Assembly Human Services Committee California State Assembly
Ihren Sitzungen folgenRedner 5
Thank you, mister chair and colleagues. I'm proud to be here to present a B1655. The CalWORKS program is designed to protect children's basic needs when families are struggling financially. The program provides modest monthly cash assistance to help pay for food, rent, clothing, and other essentials. However, when a child is temporarily absent from the home for longer than thirty days, that support can be reduced or eliminated.
There are some exceptions for this, of course, for example, if the child is in the hospital. However, for families who have their children kidnapped by ICE and held in a detention facility for longer than thirty days, they can lose the critical safety net that they need and deserve. This bill, a b sixteen fifty five, protects struggling families when their children are kidnapped by I think often about the five year old Liam Ramos in Minnesota, who was shipped to a facility down in Texas, became sick at that facility and a court ordered that he be returned home. Had he been gone for more than thirty days in California, his family would have suffered during his absence. It's shameful that we have to think of these kinds of policies in this moment, but it's important that we do.
With me to testify is Yesenia Robacho with grace in child poverty, but she won't be testifying on her own behalf. She'll be testifying on our key witness's behalf who couldn't show up today or chose bravely not to show up today because ICE is terrorizing folks in our airports and instead submitted a written testimony. We also have Edgar Edgar Guerra with SEIU State Council.
Redner 6
Good afternoon, chair and members. As assemblymember Brian shared, I will be reading the testimony of Janice Chavez Due for due to her own security, in ensuring the protection of her children, she decided not to, come to the committee today. My name is Jenith Chavez. I am a student parent at UCLA, a board member of the Bruin Parent Scholar Organization at UCLA, and a CalWORKS Association board member and a proud mother of three beautiful children. I want to apologize for submitting my testimony in writing rather than appearing in person.
I had originally planned to fly in and deliver the testimony in person, but due to the uncertainty surrounding ICE's presence at airports, I made the difficult decision to prioritize the safety and well-being of myself and my family by remaining in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, thank you for the opportunity to speak in front of you today. About a month ago, my family received the call that changed everything. A loved one had been taken by immigration agents. There was no warning, no explanation, just chaos.
In a desperate attempt to be recognized, my family member tossed his belongings to the ground and shouted for strangers to tell his family what had happened. By the time we understood where he was, he had already been transferred to the Adelanto detention facility. When he finally called, he didn't even say his name. He didn't want to burden us with the cost of the collect call. Instead, he simply said he had been detained and told us where to find his belongings he had left behind.
That moment of not knowing, of piecing together what have been through fragments is something no family should have to experience. But the fear doesn't stop there. Under current coworks rules, families have a short time period to report changes in their households, like a family member being removed or added. When a parent or family member is suddenly detained, that loss is treated as a change that can reduce the already minimal support a family receives or lose the benefits altogether. AB sixteen fifty five offers a simple but crucial fix.
It recognizes that when a child or family member is detained in immigration custody, especially under circumstances involving misconduct, they should be treated as a temporarily absence just like a child in a hospital. Right now, families are being torn apart. Some are forced into impossible decisions like leaving the country altogether, just to stay together. Children are being pushed into instability, into poverty, and into futures they do not choose. We ask you to please hear our voices, to recognize the human impact behind these policies, and to support a b sixteen fifty five.
Thank you.
Redner 7
Thank you, Chair Lee and members. Thank you as well to committee staff for their thoughtful analysis on a b sixteen fifty five. My name is Edgar Guetta here on behalf of SEIU California, cosponsor of a b sixteen fifty five representing more than 750,000 workers across the state, including county eligibility workers who administer the CalWORKS program every day. AB sixteen fifty five is a simple but important bill. When a child or a family member is unlawfully detained in federal immigration custody, current law can reduce the family's CalWORKs grant because that person is no longer counted in the assistance unit.
This bill clarifies that unlawful detention is treated as a temporary absence so families do not lose the support they rely on to pay rent, buy food, and keep their household stable. From the perspective of the workers who run this program, this change makes sense. County eligibility staff are often the ones sitting across the table from the families in crisis. When a parent or child is suddenly detained, the last thing a worker should have to do is explain that the family's cache aid will also be cut. AB sixteen fifty five gives counties clear direction and allows workers to do their jobs in a way that protects children instead of pushing them deeper into poverty.
This bill is also about stability for California families. Reach research shows that immigration arrests can result in tens of thousands of dollars in financial loss for a household, and losing CalWORKs on top of that only makes the situation worse. On behalf of SEIU California, including county workers who administer these programs and the working families who depend on them, we respectfully ask for your I vote. Thanks. Thank
Redner 2
you very much. Now, moving on to, members of the public who wish to decide in support of the bill. If you're a member of the public who wish to testify in support of the bill, please come up to the microphone. Give it one second. Okay.
There you go.
Redner 8
Good afternoon. Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in strong support of this bill.
Redner 9
Khoisi Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization, a proud co sponsor and strong support.
Redner 10
Darby Kernan, on behalf of In Child Poverty California, Courage California, and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Thank you.
Redner 11
Josh Wright, on behalf of the California Association of Food Banks, in support.
Redner 12
Mister chair and members, Adam Keglan on behalf of California LULAC and the California Charter Schools Association in support.
Redner 13
My name is Edoubiga Ramirez. I am a childcare provider from Santa Clara County and CCPU member, and I support the AB sixteen fifty five. Thank you.
Redner 14
My name is Fernando Hernandez. I'm from Santa Clara County. I'm child care provider too. I support the AB sixteen fifty five.
Redner 3
Hello. I'm Daio Augustine. I am a family child care provider for eighteen years in San Jose. I support this bill.
Redner 2
Thank you. Now do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Let's come forward. Do we have any members of the public in the room we wish to fight against the in opposition to the bill? Please come up to the microphone.
Seeing none, I'm gonna bring it back to committee. First, I wanna thank the author for bringing this important bill forward and also thank all the CCPU members from my home county of Santa Clara County for showing up here. And I also like to thank Yasenia for reading the, statement from our witness who, I think, bravely, strategically did not go to the mess that the federal government is wringing in our airports. Just to clarify, to Brian, are you accepting the committee amendments?
Redner 2
Alright. Great. Thank you. I'll turn it back to the committee members for questions and comments, if there are any. Assemblyman Misalucha?
Redner 16
Thank you, mister Lee, and thank you for letting me, sub today on behalf of the assemblyman Celeste Rodriguez. I don't thank the author for his bill. My district has been very impacted by this issue, and so I just wanna thank the author and, those folks that are, and, of course, the injuries that couldn't make it today. And, obviously, these are real issues that are impacting our families. So anything we can help with this situation, I'm I'm very supportive.
And and my district, again, this is a very prevalent issue. So and thank you for bringing this to to to the legislature.
Redner 5
I wanna thank my colleague, and I and I wanna thank, everybody here in this this hearing room. When families have their children kidnapped by ICE and shipped off to a detention facility miles and miles away, it is the most terrifying experience they could have. The fact that you could lose your basic assistance at the same time because the child is no longer in the home is unconscionable. Here in California, we've got to do everything we can to protect struggling families and struggling communities. And in this moment, that means passing this bill.
I respectfully ask your I vote.
Redner 2
I will second it. Thank you so much for bringing this bill forward. I do think it's imperative that we do all we can for our California families, especially those who are facing the all the inhumanities and cruelties of a carceral system, but in the ICE detention facility machine, it is all that at lightning speed and even worse. So it's vastly destabilizing, and this is one of those small steps small but important steps we need to take to stabilize our families. I'm recommending an aye vote on this measure, it has been properly moved and seconded.
Madam secretary, please call the roll on this bill.
Redner 3
File item one, a b one six five five. The motion is due pass as amended to the assembly judiciary committee. Lee? Aye. Lee, I.
Castillo?
Redner 3
Castillo, not voting. Gibson, Eljore, Jackson, Selache Aye. Selache, aye. Tongapah. Tongapah not voting.
Redner 2
We'll leave that mem that measure open for absent members. Next, we will go to file item number two, AB seventeen forty six by Simoneira Davies. And, Simoneira Davies, you may begin when you're ready. Alright. Whenever you're ready.
Redner 19
Thank you, mister chair. Members, today, I'm here to present a b seventeen forty six. I first want to thank committee staff for working with my staff and stakeholders on this bill. I am proud to accept the committee's amendments. Members, AB seventeen forty six is a common sense measure to require counties to provide CalWORKs applicants and recipients with more information and opportunities to request child care support.
The bill includes a ten day deadline for county welfare departments to approve, deny, or seek more information once the child care request form is submitted. This prevents administrative delays that could otherwise keep a parent from starting a job or attending a training program. This bill ensures parents aren't just told that 8X exits but are also actively given the tools to find and choose a provider that fits their family needs. Without reliability, affordable care, talented and motivated parents are forced to choose between the well-being of their parent sorry, their children and the stability of their careers, a choice that no Californian should have to make. By investing in our child care, we aren't just supporting families.
We are fueling the workforce that drives our state's economy forward. With that, mister chair, respectfully ask for your I vote. And with me here today to talk about the issue is Seyturn on behalf of the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization.
Redner 9
afternoon. My name is Khoisi Terren. I'm here on behalf of the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization, a proud sponsor of AB seventeen forty six. I want to share something that I think gets at exactly why this bill matters. When I was a student at UC Santa Cruz, I I was a CalWORKS recipient.
I was handed a written notice telling me that paid childcare was available to me, but I never requested it. Not because I didn't need it, but because the notice told me a resource existed without giving me the means to actually get it. I was a student parent navigating CalWORKS requirements, coursework, and childcare at the same time. I didn't fully understand that I could fill out a form and actually request the help. I don't think my experience was unusual.
I think it's what happens to a lot of families. That gap between being told help exists and actually knowing how to ask for it is where families fall through, and it falls hardest on the families already caring the most, like family whose primary language is in English who received a notice they partially understood but didn't know they could request a form, and families unfamiliar with government bureaucracy who didn't know a specific form existed. Under current law, handing a family a written notice fulfills the county's obligation. AB seventeen forty six changes that. It requires counties to provide the actual CCP seven child care request form.
That distinction matters because a form notice informs a family that child care exists. The actual form gives them the means to actually request it. So AB seventeen forty six closes that gap with a clear county level obligation and a defined response timeline. So I hope you'll support a b seventeen forty six. Thank you.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you very much. Did you also have another witness with you? Oh, okay. Alright.
If there are any members of the public who should satisfy in support of this bill, please come forward to the microphone, your name, and organization.
Redner 19
Good afternoon. Aliyah Griffin with the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees in support.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you. Now do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Please come forward. Any members of the public who wish to satisfy in opposition to the bill?
Please let me turn on microphone. Seeing none, I'll bring it back to committee for any questions or comments. Second. Alright. Just to clarify, someone in Davies, you're accepting the committee's amendments.
Correct?
Redner 19
I want to say thank you so much, to the members and the chair. This is so important. And we have really great programs in California, but not everybody is aware of them, and especially when we're trying to help out families that need to work. We don't want them to have to take that choice of taking care of their child or putting food on the table. So I greatly appreciate your support.
I asked for an I vote, I'd be honored if anyone would like to coauthor.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you so much, Davies. I appreciate your work to constantly uplift working families and support our safety net programs even though the federal government continues to erode them. And I appreciate you try to simplify the process here. There's a lot of paperwork issues paperwork issues that we just want to simplify and, you know, make irrelevant.
The bill has been properly moved by assembler Tonghipa and seconded by assembler Slachey. I'm recommending an I vote. Madam secretary, please call the roll on this bill.
Redner 3
File item two, a b one seven four six. The motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Lee?
Redner 2
That's four votes. We will keep it open for absent members. Thank you. Alright. I see assembly member Sharp Collins has joined us.
Filename number 3AB1755, you may present when you are ready. Assembly member Sharp Collins.
Redner 17
afternoon, chair and members. Today, I'm here to present a b seventeen fifty five, which is a bill that aims to eliminate the one hundred hour rule of penalty and which is an outdated policy from the nineteen fifties that has no place in a state that claims to value work, dignity, and economic justice. So let us be clear about what this policy will actually correct. So currently, right now, to put it simple, if if a family works over one hundred hours in a month, they are automatically disqualified for cow works. It punishes working people.
It is rooted in the false and harmful idea that the low income families should be able to survive on part time work, and if they try to do more, then they should be cut off from from that support. That logic of working a hundred hours was wrong then, and it's, of course, wrong now, especially in a state with with one of the highest cost of living within its nation. Currently, California is one of the only four states still enforcing this type of rule alongside Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Dakota. So we pride ourselves on leading, but on this issue, we are way behind. So we took a step towards addressing this issue last year through my bill, Assembly Bill thirteen twenty four.
But while that effort was ultimately vetoed due to the cost concerns, the need for the reform still hasn't changed. Therefore, I decided to break that bill down to what we have today. If anything, it has become even more and more urgent. This bill reflects a more targeted approach, but it also carries the same core principle that our policy should support work and not punish it. In practice, this policy forces families into the impossible choices, And so basically saying that when you work more hours and lose the assistance, that actually keeps a roof over your head or work less and remain trapped in poverty.
That is not a pathway to self, sufficiency. That is a policy failure. So let's think about the message that we are we are currently sending. So when we think about the federal government and how it's demanding, eighty hours work requirement in this program, but the one hundred hour rule punishes you for working too much. So when families lose cow work support abruptly, they are more likely to face housing instability, rely on emergency services, and also cycle through more costly systems like homelessness services, child welfare, and also crisis health crisis health care.
So, just to kinda wrap wrap this up a little bit here, I just want you to know that if we are serious about equity and about supporting working families and about being, having a responsible government, then we need to start acting now. And so this bill is about choosing people over outdated policies. It is about rewarding work and not punishing it, and it is about making a smarter investment that saves the state money over time. And with that, I do respectfully ask for your I vote, but to provide witness testimony as well in support today, I have miss Rebecca Gonzales, policy advocate for Western Center on Law and Poverty, but also, Andrew Shane, which is the managing director for County Warfare Directors Association of California. Thank you.
Redner 8
afternoon. My name is Rebecca Gonzales, and I'm a policy advocate with the Western Center on Law and Poverty. We're a cosponsor of this bill as part of the Reimagine CalWORKS coalition, which also includes SEIU, County Welfare Directors Association, and Child Poverty California, Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Parent Voices, and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. It's time we stop punishing CalWORKs working families. This bill would strike current law, which provides that a primary wage earning parent in a two parent family must work less than one hundred hours per month for the family to be eligible for CalWORKS, even if otherwise they are needy and income eligible for the program.
The one hundred hour rule policy assumes that working an average of twenty five hours a week can generate enough income for a parent to provide for that family and further assumes the family's income is above the eligibility threshold in CalWORKs, known as the minimum basic standard of adequate care. The old welfare rule, known as the work penalty, was adopted after the welfare reform era of the 1990s. It was based on assumptions about sufficiency of income from hours worked, which can be incorrect and which has served no good purpose but to punish hardworking families, to discourage work, and harm children who are poor. As stated by the author, California is an outlier by still having this policy. It is inhumane to subject impoverished families to this bureaucratic rule when good government dictates that we treat them fairly, give them the services and supports they need, and judge them based on facts about their economic sufficiency.
More importantly, policies like these put families at risk of homelessness. It is for these reasons the Western Center on Law and Poverty is pleased to cosponsor this bill, and I'm also expressing support for the from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy and the Women's Foundation. We respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
Redner 23
And members, Thank you to doctor Sharp Collins for your leadership with this legislation that simplifies and streamlines access to CalWORKS, our bedrock safety net for children and families. Counties see the impact of this policy and practice and the revolving door it causes for families. We know that a substantial number of families are denied assistance because of this rule. And the situation in which it happens is very clear. Families have been working, they lose their job, they're experiencing crisis, and yet are denied because of this outdated policy, pushing them only deeper into crisis.
So not only does that not make sense, as doctor Sharp Collins laid out, it actually contradicts the efforts that are being put in place that would then punish families for actually working too much, yet making so little and denying them from assistance. So we we also urge you of your aye vote, and thank you so much for this legislation.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you very much. Now do I have members of the public who just wish to testify in support of the bill, please come up to the microphone.
Redner 24
Mister chair and members, Tiffany Whiting with SEIU California, cosponsor and in proud support. Thank you.
Redner 9
Khoisi Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization, proud cosponsor and support.
Redner 6
Yesenia Robancho with End Child Poverty in California, cosponsor and strong support. Thank you.
Redner 25
Bindu Mukhamala, policy manager with the National Association of Social Workers California chapter in strong support.
Redner 2
Thank you. Now do we have any witness primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Please come forward. Any members of the public who wish to testify in opposition to the bill, please come forward to the microphone. Seeing and hearing none, I will bring back to the committee for questions or comments.
Similar for Tanguifai, yes. You're recognized.
Redner 26
Thank you. I just wanted to first and foremost say thank you to the author of this bill. You know, some of you may know that I was raised on a lot of these programs, and I often share with friends, colleagues of mine that I was caught by the social safety net, and I have lived a life that I could never imagine, you know, especially being here in the state legislature from ten years ago being homeless. And, you know, my family living in low income housing and the house getting red tagged and then having the opportunity to help them purchase a home. But this is something that we've talked about often where sometimes the systems that we have in place here in California almost perpetuate poverty because we are incentivizing people not to do more to help pull yourselves out.
I think about the situation with a family member of mine, got pregnant when they they were she was a teenager, and she would tell me that I can't get married because I will lose my benefits. He works too much, and we would make it would be too hard for us. And I think about that often because I told him, no. You will get married. We're gonna work as a family.
We're all gonna make sure that we could take care of our family, and we're gonna be better for it. But it was a struggle, and it was a hard period for a lot of people who went through that because once they simply work too much, they're immediately cut off and dropped, it feels very lonely, if you don't have a village with you. Those two individuals now are married and make a joint income of over $300,000 and take care of theirs. But there are certain things that we can do, like support this bill to help those families that want to leave abject extreme poverty, and do better for them. And I think that's what we are supposed to do.
If we're a state like California where we are the richest state and the richest country in the history of the world, we can do better. And I just wanted to thank the author for this bill. If she's looking for any bipartisan coauthorship, I would love to join on.
Redner 2
SPEAKER All right. Any other questions or comments? Well, couldn't put it better than what I was talking about. But it is true. We do live in the richest state and the richest country in the world, in the history of the world, and yet more people are working longer hours than they ever have.
In fact, productivity has never been higher than it is in the history of mankind, and yet the wages and income of workers has gone down in comparison. So it is no surprise that people work longer hours and more jobs just to survive, right? But really, we want to make sure that people are incentivized and have the right systems in place to climb up in the socioeconomic ladder, and this is an important bill. I would love to join as a joint author again with you, as I did in the last bill last year. And hopefully, time, we'll get all the way and get the signature.
So, I'll invite the author to close now.
Redner 17
No. Thank you. I'll just keep it short and also simple and just thank everyone for the opportunity to be here to present. Thank you to my witnesses, and this is the opportunity today for us to actually correct this. And so with with that, I would like to respectfully ask for your aye vote.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you. The bill was moved by Simone Tanguva, seconded Simone Slachey. I'm recommending an an aye vote. Madam secretary, please call the roll.
Redner 3
File item three, a b one seven five five. The motion is due passed to the assembly appropriations committee. Lee?
Redner 3
Lee, I. Castillo? Aye. Castillo, I. Gibson?
Elhwari? Jackson? Solache? Aye. Solache, I.
Tongapaw? Tongapah, I.
Redner 2
Four to zero. We will that bill's out, but we will leave the roll open for absent members. Alright. Seeing if there are any authors here. If not, Sisibelari and Vercelotche, you are permitted to a, to present your bill if you are ready.
Since we are still waiting for authors, so if you're an author that wants to present at human services, we'll be looking for more authors after file item number nine, which is a b twenty seventy two by assembly member Solace. You may begin when you're ready.
Redner 16
Thank you, mister chair and members. I am here to present a b twenty seventy two, which would create an, CalFresh and WIC contingency fund. A state level contingency fund would allow California to provide emergency funding in the event of federal shutdown that disrupts CalFresh and WIC supplemental nutrition program. Last November, we saw how dangerous a federal shutdown could be for Californians who rely on these programs. CalFresh benefits were interrupted for five days, and WIP funding came dangerously close to running out.
Those five days took a real toll on our communities. AB twenty seventy two ensures that vulnerable Californians do not lose access to critical nutrition assistance during a federal government shutdown. A contingency fund provides stability for California households, a proactive solution for the state to protect against uncertainty and hardship. With me today testifying, supporting and answering any technical questions, Leticia Garcia, director of government relations for the California Retailers Association.
Redner 22
Oh, thank you. Thank you, chair members. Leticia Garcia with the California Retailers Association representing grocery stores, all throughout the state. We're here as proud, sponsors of a b twenty seventy two, and thank you to assembly member Solacea for championing this issue. Like the assembly member said, a b twenty seventy two creates a contingency fund for WIC and SNAP in the event of another federal shutdown where benefits are interrupted to for these participants.
When grocery stores operators learned that benefits were not going to be distributed last November, they scrambled to figure out how they can still serve their customers so they wouldn't leave their stores empty handed. It was a really big emergency for all of them. I got all those phone calls. And, you know, they also increased their donations to the food banks to help them meet the increased demands. So it was not only our grocery stores, our CalFresh recipients, our WIC recipients, but also the food banks, and all other food access folks who also took on the brunt of this.
Those five days of in those five days of interrupted benefits had a dramatic impact on the retail grocery industry and even changed the shopping patterns of CalFresh recipients. When benefits were reinstated, retail grocers saw an increase in shelf stable items rather than fresh food options. This was because CalFresh recipients weren't sure if they were gonna have their benefits the following month. The retail industry is proud to be members of the community that they feed. The last thing they wanna see is their most vulnerable community suffer the consequences of something that's out of their control.
For these reasons, the California Retailer Association is a proud sponsor of this legislation to ensure that when the federal government shuts down and withholds food funds from Californians, the state is prepared to fill that gap.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you. Now do we have members of the public who wish to testify in support of the bill? Please come up to the microphone.
Redner 9
Khoisi Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization in support.
Redner 8
Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty. We do not have a position on the bill, and we want to thank the author's office for working with us on amendments to clarify that SNAP is a mandatory payment program. Thank you.
Redner 2
Okay. Now do we have any, do we have any primary witnesses opposition to the bill? Please come forward. Any members of public who should testify in opposition to bill, please come to the microphone. Seeing none, I'll bring back to committee for questions, comments, similar what we're talking about.
Redner 26
had a couple of quick questions for the how come this is brought just as a general legislation instead of a budget bill?
Redner 16
It actually does not have an appropriation, and it actually depends on the you know, to get an appropriation. That's actually part of the conversation as well. We are moving this forward to have to start the conversation, and we do need an appropriation from the approves committee. And so it's definitely a priority to ensure that this doesn't happen again. We saw the what happened this last shutdown, and we can't afford that to happen again.
Not only does it affect, obviously, the consumers and and and the individuals, but also our our retailers who depend on ensuring that their business continues.
Redner 26
So I see it like this I mean, I completely understand the intent of the bill, and I do think that state of California should have quite a bit of that responsibility, when it comes to it. I just believe that it it really should be, like, in the under the a budget trailer bill, through that, especially when it comes to the appropriation side. So I'm more than likely gonna just
Redner 22
We just submitted a, budget request letter to, the subcommittees Okay. On this.
Redner 26
Yeah. Well, again, the, I know this may surprise a lot of people, but as I've spoken to the federal administration on shifts and changes that are happening, you know, trying to understand that this is a dynamic world that we're going through right now. You know, I've seen that again, this is something that I see falls on the responsibility of what, you know, the state should really start to look at. And so I definitely see the intent, again, that the author is really presenting itself to to us to make sure that we're making sure that some of the families that are most vulnerable have some of those resources. So I appreciate you bringing it.
Thank you. Thank you.
Redner 16
Sure. Just thank you again for the in priority, I think, the committee staff for their engagement. I think there's no there's no secret here that, obviously, not only did the consumer and our our so many Californians were impacted, but also, you know, when you have business community also, you know, and retailers concerned about how they get to deliver these food importance to our communities. I think it's a win win that both the consumer and the folks that are providing the food are concerned. So we were happy to join forces and ensure that Californians don't suffer these consequences again during a shutdown.
Regardless of what party and regardless of who does it, at the end the day, Californians are are, you know, are are in need of these resources. Thank you.
Redner 2
Yes. And I would like to thank the author for bringing this bill forward. I think it's savvy to create a rainy day fund almost, a savings account in case that what were what had come to pass at the '25 happens again. I mean, right now, the federal government isn't kind of stopping start motion with a lot of different things right now. So it's not unfamiliar with the govern the federal government also fails to provide basic food necessities to people again.
So I think it is important to begin the conversation and have the funds set up is important. I'm recording an I vote, and I will be seconding the motion to move the bill. And with that, madam secretary, please call the roll on a b twenty seventy two.
Redner 3
File item nine, a b two zero seven two. The motion is due passed to the assembly appropriations committee. Lee? Lee, I. Castillo?
Redner 3
Castillo, I. Gibson? Eljourri? Jackson? Solache?
Aye. Solache, I. Tongapa? Tongapa not voting.
Redner 2
We'll leave that role open for absent members. Thank you, mister Raslacha. I see assembly member Blanca Rubio has joined us. So, whenever you're ready, you can present file number 12.
Redner 24
Good afternoon, chair and members. Thank you for allowing me to present to AB twenty four twenty nine today. I wanna start by accepting the committee's amendments, and I wanna thank the committee staff for working with my office on this measure. AB twenty four twenty nine strengthens and modernizes the early childhood mental health consultation model in California's early learning programs. Early childhood mental health consultation or e m I'm sorry, EC, MHC is one of the most effective tools we have available to support children's social emotional development and reduce preschool expulsions.
It works by pairing trained consultants with educators to build healthier classrooms, environments, and respond proactively to behavioral challenges. Research continues to show that the best outcomes happen when consultation is consistent, relationship based, and tailored to the needs of each classroom. However, feedback from providers and consultants across the state indicate that some of these requirements are creating barriers and disincentivizing child care programs from implementing the model. These requirements can create unnecessary administrative burdens, limit flexibility, and ultimately discourage programs from participating. When programs opt out, children and educators lose access to critical support.
AB twenty four twenty nine makes targeted updates to improve access and effectiveness while maintaining accountability. Specifically, the bill, one, makes the ACES screener for every child in a classroom receiving consultation optional instead of required. This preserves access to the tool for programs who have the capacity to administer administer it while maintaining flexibility for those that do not, reduces required classroom observation from two times per year to once per year, allowing consultants and educators to determine what is most appropriate for the setting. And most importantly, this bill allows consultants and educators to co develop flexible, customized plans that reflect the unique needs of each classroom. AB2429 ensures that a proven evidence based model can reach more children and families in a way that is flexible, effective, and sustainable.
Thank you.
Redner 1
Yes. Good afternoon, chair and committee members. My name is Maifa Renaud. I'm a former preschool and special education teacher and VP of advocacy and policy with Kadango. As a childcare and preschool program, we proudly sponsor and strongly urge an I vote for AB 2,429.
This critical legislation strengthens access to early childhood mental health consultation services across California state preschool, general child care, and family child care home education networks. Early childhood mental health consultation, as mentioned, is a prevention, and relationship based approach that supports the adults in fostering children's healthy and social emotional development and effectively responds to their needs. It's an evidence based service to reduce expulsions in and child care, and previous legislation has established an adjustment factor where programs can utilize to fund its implementation and associated requirements to adhere to its quality. Now, we know that research tells us that a child's brain develops rapidly from zero to five, and exposure to trauma, chronic stress, or unaddressed behavioral issues during this period can have lifelong consequences affecting their ability to learn, form relationships, and thrive. Early childhood mental health consultation gives adults the support and tools they need to create an optimal environment for children to grow.
AB 2429 responds to important feedback from the field and makes two adjustments to their requirements. As mentioned, it changes the mandate of utilizing the Adverse Childhood Experiences screener for adults from required to optional. And second, it reduces the required classroom observations from twice per program year to once per program year. With these changes, more state preschool general child care and family child care home education networks will be able to utilize the adjustment factor to implement early childhood mental health consultation. This is a common sense, evidence based solution prioritizing children's mental wellness and supporting their caregivers.
We respectfully request an aye vote so more teachers, children, and families benefit from early childhood mental health consultation. Thank you.
Redner 21
Good afternoon, chair and esteemed members of the committee. My name is Celeste Farmer, and I'm the director of mental health at Kadango. I've been a licensed marriage and family therapist in California since 2015, and I've been both a mental health consultant as well as a supervisor and leader of mental health consultation programs. Increasing providers' ability to access and utilize mental health consultation services has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of so many children. In my experience, early childhood mental health consultation builds adults' confidence and competence to meet social emotional needs of children and create a positive, social emotional climate for entire preschools and early learning centers and home education networks.
In order to have this impact, what I have found most critical to have in place is attunement to the individualized needs of child care programs, teachers, and children and families. The changes that AB 2,429, proposes supports high quality early learning early childhood mental health consultation by supporting that attunement and individualized focus by allowing consultants who work with many classrooms and face many time constraints to have more flexibility in the activities that they implement for each classroom based on the expressed needs of that age group of children, teachers, and families. Additionally, by making the adverse childhood experiences screener optional, consultants can choose whether can choose when it makes sense to utilize the tool based on the consultant and parent bandwidth, whether the screener is already conducted in other settings like well child pediatric visits, as well as how conducive it is in a situation, to relationally build a positive strengths based relationship with families. This critical piece of legislation this is a critical piece of legislation that will strengthen access to early childhood mental health consultation services in California state preschool, general child care, and family child care home network home education networks. Thank you so much for your time, and I strongly encourage you to vote eye on AB twenty four twenty nine for healthy children, teachers, families.
Thank you.
Redner 2
Thank you. Now do we have any members of the public who should test ify in support of the bill? Please come to the microphone now. Testify in support of the bill.
Redner 25
Vindu Makamala on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter here in support.
Redner 2
Thank you. And do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Any members of the public who wish to satisfy in opposition to the bill, please come with your microphone. Seeing none, I'm gonna read back to the committee for questions and comments. Alright.
I'll invite the sorry. Oh, okay. I'll invite the author to close.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you for bringing this bill forward and, supporting our child care network. The bill has been properly moved by a similarity seconded by a similar Castillo. Madam secretary, please call the roll on a b 2429.
Redner 3
File item 12 a b two four two nine. The motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Education Committee. Lee?
Redner 3
Lee, I. Castillo? Aye. Castillo, I. Gibson?
El Juari? Jackson? Solache? Aye. Solache, I.
Tonga Pai? Aye. Tonga Pai, I.
Redner 2
Four to zero. That bill is out. We'll leave the roll open for Epsom members. Thank you.
Redner 2
And I see assembly member Bonta has joined us. Assemblyman Bonta has two bills on the file, and I will lay leave it up to her to decide which one she wants to do first.
Redner 2
Alright. We'll begin with file item number six, a b nineteen sixty nine. You may begin whenever you're ready.
Redner 27
Thank you. Thank you, chair and members. I would like to begin by accepting the committee amendments and thanking committee staff for their thoughtful and thorough analysis. I'm pleased to present a b nineteen sixty nine, the It Takes a Village Act of 2026. We often say it takes a village to raise a child, but too often, our systems are not structured to function like one.
If we are serious about improving outcomes for children and families, especially in economically disadvantaged communities, we must ensure access to coordinated supports from before birth through college and career. This work is deeply personal to me. It has been my life's work, in fact. I've seen firsthand how a place based cradle to career approach can change the trajectory of a child's life. From my own life, for sure, but certainly as early as 21 and, as recently as being able to serve as the CEO of Oakland Promise, where we work to improve educational and economic outcomes for students experiencing poverty.
In that role, I saw both the gaps in our system and the transformative impact of aligning services across sectors to meet families where they are. California invests billions of dollars annually in children, families, and economic development programs, yet these investments remain fragmented, siloed, and unevenly targeted, particularly in neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of child poverty. We have made significant progress launching Cal Kids children's savings accounts, investing in community schools, implementing Cal AIM community supports to address upstream health and social needs, expanding the expanded learning opportunities program, advancing a career technical education master plan, and making historic investments in early learning. Each of these efforts is critical, but they are more and most powerful when they are aligned and coordinated around the needs of children and families and can transition seamlessly throughout a changing administration. This is exactly why a b nineteen sixty nine is has been presented and is designed to do.
This bill establishes a grant program to support place based partnerships that coordinate services from early childhood through college and career. Over the past decade, Promise Neighborhoods and similar Cradle to Career initiatives have shown that this approach works. These partnerships align education, health, housing, and economic supports, and the results are clear, improved access to care, stronger literacy outcomes, and increased college and career readiness. AB nineteen sixty nine builds on that success by expanding and sustaining these efforts statewide. By investing in coordinated community development driven solutions, this bill strengthens California's ability to reduce poverty, close opportunity gaps, and support children and families at every stage in their life.
Because when we invest in the systems that surround a child, we invest in their future and the future of our state. With me today to testify is Tony Amuncica, executive director of Bright Futures Educational Partnership serving Monterey County, and Jillian Spindle, chief strategy and advancement officer at the Mission Economic Development Agency in San Francisco.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you. Your witnesses, two minutes each, please. Who whoever wants to start? I
Redner 14
could start. Good afternoon, chair and members. My name is Tonya Mesqua, and I proudly serve as executive director for Bright Futures Educational Partnership anchored at Hartnell Community College in Monterey County. I'm here today in strong support of AB nineteen sixty nine. Bright Futures serves as a backbone for our county's cradle to career system.
We bring together k 12 education, higher education, community organizations, local partners to ensure that every young person has a pathway to success. Monterey County is home to one of the highest percentage of students entering schools as English learners in California, if not the nation. Our students are not are incredibly capable, multilingual, and resilient too often but too often, they must navigate systems that were not designed with them in mind. That's where Bright Future steps in. We don't work in isolation.
We align partners, elevate community voice, and turn collaboration into action. One example of of this is our work with Cal Kids. Through coordination coordinated outreach and deep community trust building, Monterey County now ranks second in the state for the percentage of Cal Kids accounts claimed with over 11,700,000 secured in over 21,000 accounts. That didn't happen by chance. It happened because of intentional partnerships, local leadership, and consistent engagement with families.
And yet despite these outcomes, Bright Futures currently operates without dedicated state or federal funding. We have sustained this work through private donations, grants, because we believe that what's possible for our students and what is needed for our community. But to scale and sustain this impact, we need investment. AB nineteen sixty nine represents an opportunity to support models like bright futures, models that are already demonstrating results, already building trust, and already changing outcomes for young people. With the right support, we can deepen this work, reach more families, and ensure that every student, especially those historically underserved, has access to these opportunities.
I respectfully urge your support for a b nineteen sixty nine. Thank you for what you do for our children here in California.
Redner 2
Thank you very much. Exactly on the two minute mark too. Great job. Alright. Next minutes, please.
Redner 28
Good afternoon, chair and members. I'm Jillian Spindle, the chief strategy and advancement officer at the Mission Economic Development Agency in San Francisco's Mission District. AB nineteen sixty nine recognizes that no single school, nonprofit, or city can end poverty alone. Since 2012, Meta has acted as the backbone for the Mission Promise neighborhood, coordinating a network of nonprofits, the San Francisco Unified School District, and city agencies. We move beyond education to provide holistic wraparound support that addresses immediate needs and puts families on a path to economic mobility.
By aligning sectors under a single data driven approach, we ensure every family has the stability they need to thrive from prenatal to career. This coordination creates results that go far beyond the classroom. For example, when we realized that displacement was the primary threat to our students' success, we integrated a housing and financial continuum into our school sites. Our coaches work in schools to help parents with rental relief, tax preparation, housing, and job placement. Because of this coordination, we increased Latino representation in affordable housing applications from three to 30%.
In the past decade, we've helped 2,100 households secure stable homes. We're closing the gap on early learning, adding 200 slots and increasing k readiness by 10%. And we're connecting college readiness with financial education, tax, and FAFSA prep to steadily increase the number of students enrolling in college. We are trusted community networks for the state's most vulnerable families. During the pandemic, the city relied on our existing infrastructure to reach families with emergency relief.
Today, as we face economic and political uncertainty, these networks are a lifeline. We can both respond to today's emergency while building community conditions for the next generation. Last year in partnership with RTI International, we completed an evaluation showing that California Promise Neighborhoods are a good investment with a $4 return for every $1 invested. We have the data, we have the trust, and we have the model. For this reason, I respectfully request your support of a b nineteen sixty nine.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you very much. Now do we have any members of the public wishing to find support of the bill? Please come to the microphone. Name and organization, please.
Redner 29
Hello. I'm Michael Williams representing the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Sacramento as well as the California Family Resource Association, and both organizations support.
Redner 6
Yesenia Robancho with End Child Poverty in California, proud sponsors, also including in support Eden Area Regional Occupational Program, Marin Promise Partnership, Hayward Promise Neighborhood, and Strive Together.
Redner 18
Hello, Jessica Riviere Rincon. I'm here on behalf of Mission Promise Neighborhood and, all of the children that we serve there, and then also on the California Promise Neighborhood Coalition. Thank you.
Redner 25
Hello. Bindu Makamla with the National Association of Social Workers California chapter here in strong support.
Redner 10
Good afternoon. Darby Kernan on behalf of four c's of Alameda County, First Five of Alameda County, Eden Area Communities Collaborative, and the Mission Economic Development Agency. Thank you.
Redner 2
Thank you. And now do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Let's come forward. Do we have any members of the public who wish to find testify in opposition to the bill? Seeing none.
I'll bring it back to the committee for questions or comments or motions. I'll write the author to close.
Redner 27
Thank you so much, chair. This is actually the sixth time, this legislation has, been proposed, earliest in 2014. I think, what we have right now is a California that doesn't wanna be a California of two tails. We wanna be able to ensure that every single child from wherever they are, in whatever capacity that they need our community, our supports, our agencies, federal, state, county, and city, to be fully aligned to be able to support their growth and development. This has been a life's passion of mine.
I know that when we wrap our arms around children fully, it ends up that they are able to be invested in fully and know that we can take care of them, which is all that we wanna be able to do in this beautiful state we call California. With that, I respectfully request your I vote.
Redner 2
Thank you, Semler Robots, for bringing this bill forward. It certainly does take a village to raise our children, and hopefully, the sixth time we will finally build that village, that promised village. I'm recommending an aye vote on this matter. It's been probably moved by Sommer Roslachy and seconded by Sommer El Hawari. Madam secretary, please call the roll on this bill.
Redner 3
File item six AB1969. The motion is to pass as amended to the assembly appropriations committee. Lee? Aye. Lee, aye.
Castillo? No. Castillo, no. Gibson? Elwhari?
Aye. Elwhari, aye. Jackson? Solache? Aye.
Solache, aye. Tongva.
Redner 2
Alright. That that bill is on call. You may present file item number 10, a B2092 when you are ready. So may I
Redner 27
Thank you. Good afternoon again, committee members. I'm and chair. I am wanna start by thanking the chair and committee for working with my office on this piece of legislation. AB 2,092 establishes the California Department of Social Services, CDDSS, as the lead agency with the statutory authority to manage the early childhood integrated data system or ECIDS.
This bill also creates an interagency task force to oversee data governance, that California can integrate siloed information from various state agencies serving children from birth to age five. California has built the foundation to begin implementing a state ECIDS. The CDSS and California Department of Education, both of which collect considerable zero to five data, identified ECIDS as a priority and planned an implementation. The state has been able to do a few things. First, produce a knowledge brief.
Second, conduct a pilot program led by the Santa Clara Office of Education to share learnings and best practices at the local level. And finally, establish an IT infrastructure for ECIDS. However, many agencies collect early childhood data, including the CDSS, CDE, and the California Health and Human Services Agency. Although the IT infrastructure for eSIDS exists, no one agency has the legal authority to access and integrate early childhood data across all agencies serving children ages zero to five. As such, critical early childhood data often lives within only one state agency's data system.
And if the same data point is collected across agencies, it might be defined differently. This means that information regarding child participation in early learning and care is currently siloed or incomplete, making it impossible to track important outcomes for children across various early childhood programs. Without integrated data, the state cannot identify child care deserts or understand outcomes for children ages zero to five, particularly when disaggregated by race and income. AB 2,092 addresses this by giving the CDSS statutory authority to integrate early childhood data from early childhood agencies. AB 2,092 also takes proactive measures to protect that data that is collected.
The bill includes recommendations with the Assembly Privacy Committee to protect children's data, and we will be working with Privacy Committee to further strengthen this piece of the bill. Here to testify in support are two early childhood experts, Missy Coffey, who is executive director of the EC Data Lab and a leading national and state specialist on early childhood data systems, and Mario Snow, who is senior policy associate on early childhood education at Californians Together.
Redner 15
Alright. Good afternoon, members. I am doctor Missy Coffey, and I am fortunate to be one of the nation's leading experts on integrating early childhood data to support program and policy decisions. I've supported more than 40 states and territories in implementing this and working to actually integrate data across agencies. And I'm currently the executive director of an organization called EC Data Lab.
California is fortunate to be one of the most comprehensive systems of care in this country. You guys are serving birth through five in a way that is unlike other states, but with that, data are still fragmented across your agencies. Decision making across programs and services for children and their families is limited when data are this fragmented. A fully implemented ECIDS allows the state to really use de identified and accurate data to understand whether program services are responsive to the community needs that they're serving, identify gaps in access, efficacy of your targeted investments that you are making, improve coherence and collaboration between programs and services supporting children and families, understand how early experiences are connecting to t k and 12 outcomes, supporting workforce planning and quality improvements that you all are making. And while this bill establishes a data system, it is important to note that the goal is not the data system itself.
It's allowing state administrators and policymakers to use the integrated data to make program policy decisions that are children and families in California. The state has already laid important groundwork through philanthropic and federal grants. California has worked across agencies to complete landscape analyses on the data systems themselves, identify key decisions where integrated data will be relevant, build the internal infrastructure as mentioned before, pilot and learn from the local integration efforts already happening in the state, and align with broader state efforts. However, progress is stalled due to inconsistent funding and absence of sustained cross agency governance structures. AB twenty ninety two is critical step because it's gonna establish formal interagency governing bodies, require data sharing agreements across agencies, and create accountability through the annual reporting.
As the state moves forward, there are a few things that are critical for implementation. First, the state needs to make sure that there are clear use cases tied to program and policy decisions, not just data collection. There should be a plan for ongoing stakeholder engagement, including families and providers. A comprehensive resource plan should be included that actually leverages current state resources going towards these efforts, including staff capacity, and addresses any gaps in necessary funding. And finally, it ensures strong privacy protections.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Redner 30
Good afternoon, chair and committee members. My name is Mario Snow. I am the senior policy associate for Californians Together, focusing on ECE. Thank you to assembly member Banta for authoring this bill. It's vital to our data driven planning.
I began working in the ECE data system space back in 2002 as a subcontractor to First Life California charged with developing a system to collect identifiable and aggregate data from each of the California's 58 counties. Having a statewide early childhood integrated data system or ECIDS for early learning and care is long overdue. Over the last couple decades, entities in California have spent many millions of dollars creating Band Aid data systems that get them from point a from point a to point b for a particular initiative, while statewide systems have not advanced. These efforts are labor intensive and expensive. Since California has separate systems housing these data, in order to have a robust dataset, linkages need to be made between disparate data systems that collect and define data differently.
Then after the initiative is over, often the system and its data just fade away. But within ECIDS, those data would continue to be available for others to use and build upon. Having a statewide system that tracks and reports key metrics can reduce costly local can reduce costs locally and shift those funds direct services? Policymakers, some questions this data system could answer are, what is the correlation between third grade test scores and high quality preschool attendance? Did English learners who attended two years of dual language immersion preschool reclassified an earlier age than those students that did not attend this type of program?
How much sooner? Is there a difference in high school graduation rates between children who attend preschool compared to children who do not attend preschool? To what extent does early learning participation excel accelerate LP growth in their early grades? And then what disparities exist in access to high quality early learning programs across regions, income levels, and language groups. Thank you for your time.
Redner 20
Thank you. Do we have any members of the public in the hearing room to testify and support?
Redner 19
McClain Rosansky with the Alameda County Office of Education in support.
Redner 20
Thank you. Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition? Do we have any members of the public in the hearing room to testify in opposition? And are there any questions from committee members? Thank you for bringing this bill forward.
I recommend an I vote, or the chair does. And we'd like to invite the author to close.
Redner 27
-Well, thank you. California should be able to create positive outcomes for our children using evidence based practices. To do that, we need to have ECIDS in place to answer questions that affect our children. By establishing a clear legal framework for data sharing, a b twenty ninety two strengthens California's ability to expand equitable access to high quality early learning and care programs for the state's youngest children. With that, I respectfully request an I vote.
Redner 20
Do I have a motion and a second on a b twenty ninety two? Madam secretary, please call the roll.
Redner 3
File item 10 a b two zero nine two, the motion is due passed to the assembly privacy and consumer protection committee. Lee Castillo Gibson?
Redner 3
Gibson, aye. El Joiri? Aye. El Joiri, aye. Jackson?
Solache? I. Solache, I. Tongupon. That
Redner 20
bill is on call. We'll leave the roll open for absent members. Next, we're on file number 11AB2278, Avila Farias. Assemblymember, please present your bill.
Redner 31
Thank you, chair. Oh, is that on? Yeah. Thank you, madam chair and members, for allowing me to present a b twenty two seventy eight. First, I would like to start by accepting the chair's amendments.
A b twenty two seventy eight establishes a pilot program in Contra Costa County, in support of services, program. Recent changes to last year's human, services trailer bill shift the cost of community first choice options. Late penalties to counties combined with the federal cuts to h r one and ongoing unfolded the mandates. Counties like Contra Costa County face growing challenges in delivering timely services. AB twenty two seventy eight creates a five year pilot program to test innovative technologies and can accelerate IHSS eligibility and enrollment process.
The goal is simple, to improve the experience for both recipients, workers, reduce administrative burdens, and to create long term cost savings. Importantly, all most importantly, all eligibility decisions will continue to be made by trained workers, and any tools used will be required to be informed consent with individuals. I will now turn over to our partners from Contra Costa County to provide additional detail.
Redner 32
Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Tracy Murray, and I am the Contra Costa County Director of Aging and Adult Services. Thank you for your consideration of AB two thousand two and seventy eight, which provides support for counties administering the In Home Supportive Services IHSS program. The IHSS program provides in home care to eligible aged, blind, or disabled community residents who need assistance in order to stay safely in their homes.
Regulations require that every IHSS recipient initial application for services be determined within ninety days. And after a case is granted, each recipient must receive an annual reassessment. In Contra Costa County, we have 17,004 17,841 IHSS recipients and only 50 social workers, which equates to a caseload of three fifty six recipients per social worker. Effective 07/01/2025, counties are assessed a penalty for each IHSS Community First Choice option or CIFCO case that is late on its annual reassessment. In July 2025, Contra Costa County had 3,273 overdue cases.
In order to reduce the number of overdue cases and penalties, Contra Costa County has contracted with a temporary staffing agency to assist with reassessments. The county has spent $235,000 on temporary agency costs and 1,800,000.0 in penalties from July through February. Although Contra Costa County has made progress in reducing the number of overdue reassessments to a current count of 1,144, the consequence has been that new applications for services are not determined on a timely basis. The percent of applications determined within ninety days has dropped from 87% in July 2025 to 44% in February 2026. The CIFCO penalties are adversely impacting the county's ability to serve community members.
Therefore, we support legislation that provides an opportunity to test how innovative technologies will benefit counties and the vulnerable IHSS consumers that we serve.
Redner 20
Thank you. Do we have any members of the public in the hearing room to testify in support? Any primary witnesses in opposition? And any members of the public in the hearing room to testify in opposition? Seeing none, are there any questions from committee members?
Awesome. I will invite the author to close.
Redner 20
We have a motion by Sollache assembly member Sollache, and a second by assembly member Gibson. Thank you so much for working with this amazing staff, on amendments and for trying to reduce wait time for IHSS recipient. The chair recommends an aye with amendments vote. And, madam secretary, please call
Redner 3
the roll. Final item 11, a b two two seven eight, the motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Lee Castillo Gibson? Aye. Gibson, aye.
El Juarez? Aye. El Juarez, aye. Jackson? Solace?
Aye. Solace? Aye. Tongabah?
Redner 20
Great. That bill is that bill is on call. We'll leave the roll open for absent members. We're gonna move to the consent calendar. Do I have a motion on the consent calendar?
Redner 3
Items on the consent calendar, file item four, a b one eight two four Ramos. File item five, a b one eight four six Stephanie. File item seven a b one nine eight one Aguirre Curry with urgency amendments file item eight a b two zero zero six Michelle Rodriguez Lee Castillo. El Juarez. Aye.
El Juarez I. Gibson? Aye. Gibson I. Jackson?
Solache? Aye. Solache I. Tongapan.
Redner 3
File item one a b one six five five. The current vote is two to zero. Gibson?
Redner 3
Gibson, aye. Eljwari? Aye. Eljwari, aye. Jackson?
Current vote, four to zero. File item 2AB1746. The current vote is four to zero. Gibson.
Redner 3
Gibson I Elhwari. Aye. Elhwari. Aye. Jackson.
Current vote is six to zero. File item three, AB1755. The current vote is four to zero. Gibson?
Redner 3
Gibson, I. Eljwari? Aye. Eljwari, I Jackson. Current vote, six to zero.
File item 6AB1969. Current vote is three to one. Gibson?
Redner 3
Gibson, I, Jackson? Tongupaw. Current vote, four to one. File item 9AB2072. Current vote is three to zero.
Gibson? Aye. Gibson, aye. Elhurie? Aye.
Elhurie, aye. Jackson? Current vote, five to zero. File item 12AB2429. Current vote is four to zero.
Gibson?
Redner 2
Alright. So thank you for subbing in. In addition to subbing in, you will be presenting file item 13AB2441. Correct?
Redner 20
Sorry about that. Thank you, honorable chair and members. AB two six two five six seven is a simple bill that helps families in crisis get emergency relief from CalWORKS faster. More than 650,000 families receive cash aid and services through CalWORKS, and California processes about 30 to 40,000 applications each month. For many of these families, a crisis means an eviction notice, no food in the house, a utility shutoff, even or homelessness.
Emergency help in those moments should be quick and accessible. CalWORKS has emergency support for these situations through immediate needs and temporary homeless assistance. But under current law, families may first be required to apply for other benefits, including unemployment, social security, veterans benefits, or state disability insurance, before emergency aid can be issued. For families in crisis, that extra hurdle means finding Internet access, a phone or computer, work history, bank information and identification before they're eligible for immediate assistance. AB2567 removes that barrier so counties can determine apparent eligibility for emergency CalWORKs benefits without first requiring families to apply for all unconditionally available income.
This bill does not eliminate existing safeguards. Families must still be apparently eligible for CalWORKs, and they must still apply for and accept all available income before final approval and ongoing aid. In short, AB2567 will ensure that immediate needs and temporary homeless assistance serve as a safety net for people in crisis. I am pleased to have Andrew Shane with the County Welfare Directors Association here with me today to speak in support of the measure. And on behalf of assembly member Celeste Rodriguez, I'd like to accept the committee's amendments.
Thank you, chair and member oh, just kidding.
Redner 23
Thank you, Senator Elawari, and some our thanks to Senator Rodriguez. I'll I'll be I'll be brief. It was already outlined very well. As families are are coming into the the CalWORKS program, they are experiencing crisis. When we're talking about apparent eligibility and these upfront programs, we're talking about immediate need of $200 or less and homeless assistance that's either in the form of a voucher if if the family is unhoused or critical, permanent housing supports if the family is at risk of evictions such as, arrears on on their rents or deposits, right, trying to prevent, family homelessness.
So as has been mentioned, a b two five six seven removes that barrier while maintaining, the unconditionally available income requirement as part of the full CalWORKS grant, so maintaining that program integrity for the the full grant, childcare, and other permanent supports. So with that, urge your aye vote.
Redner 2
Thank you very much. Now do we have members of the public who wish to sign support of the bill? Please come with the microphone now.
Redner 25
Bindu Makamla on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter in support.
Redner 6
Kelly Brooks on behalf of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in support.
Redner 2
Thank you. Now do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Any members of public who should testify in opposition to the bill? Seeing how we'll bring it back to the committee. Alright.
If not, I will invite the author to close.
Redner 20
On behalf of assemblymember, Celeste Rodriguez, my assembly bestie, thank you chair, and members, I respectfully ask for an I vote.
Redner 2
Bills are probably moved and seconded by moved by assembly Gibson, seconded by assembly member Selache. Thank you for bringing this bill forward. Thank you for presenting this bill on behalf of your assembly bestie. And, I'm working in aye vote. Madam secretary, please call the roll.
Redner 3
Final item 14, a b two five six seven. The motion is due pass as amended to the assembly appropriations committee. Lee?
Redner 2
Six zero. That bill is out. Alright. I think we still have our last bill, another Assemblyman Rodriguez bill presented by Assemblyman Jackson. It will be item 13 a b twenty four forty one.
So, doctor Jackson, you may begin when you are ready.
Redner 4
I see what's going on. Okay. Thank you, mister chair and committee members. It is my honor to present AB 2,441 on behalf of assembly member Rodriguez. This is the community supporting innovation pilot program.
AB 2,441 is a critical evidence based step forward in providing prevention services for families in need of education, support, and basic needs. The facts are clear. Black and Native American children account for 50% of child welfare investigations, and Black and Native American and Latino families are more likely to have reports substantiated and experience child removal. The California Child Welfare Council established the mandated reporting to community supporting task force. The task force recommends the incorporation of a community pathway for mandated reporters.
The community supporting innovation pilot program creates a prevention focused pathway for families facing poverty or resources challenges, complementing, not replacing the child welfare system. Specifically, AB2441 directs the state office of child abuse prevention to administer and evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program. This innovative initiative will demonstrate the effectiveness of community based organizations, including family resource centers and servicing as resource and referral avenues for families with needs who are not at substantial risk of serious harm. Important safeguards are built into the bill to ensure the credibility of the community pathway. These include requiring a statement of support from the county child welfare agency in each county in which the organization operates, securing the commitment of at least one partnering school district, hospital, clinic, or law enforcement agency that will refer potentially eligible families to the community based organization and ensuring all participating organizations comply with OCAP's program requirements.
Speaking in support of AB2441 today is Janae Eustis, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Center, and Danielle Lawrence, executive director of the Mutual Assistance Network, a Sacramento based FRC.
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Thank you. Good afternoon, chair and members. My name is Janae Youssef. I'm the president and CEO of the Child Abuse Prevention Center and representing the California Family Resource Association. For me, this has never been just work.
It's my lived experience. As a former foster youth and as a former foster youth, I come from the communities we're talking about. I've seen what happens when systems don't see families fully, when systems see families who are in survival and label them as, with neglect as neglect. I've also seen what happens when our system sees families and shows up for them and wraps around them with trust, without judgment. We are here in strong support because this bill doesn't create something new.
It strengthens and aligns what communities across California are already doing every day. This work already exists. Across California, family resource centers are already serving as the front door for families long before child welfare involvement. Families are walking into FRCs with complex needs with, from communities who are responding with prevention, stabilization, and connections. What's missing is not the work.
It's the consistency, the infrastructure, and shared expectations across our counties. This pilot creates an opportunity to establish consistent standards statewide, build shared data and evaluation, align community based pathways with prevention goals. And right now, access depends on where families live. But with this pilot, we'll ensure equity on how prevention shows up across California. The CAP Center and CFRA already serve as a statewide backbone supporting hundreds of FRCs with training, technical assistance, and implementation support.
We are not starting from scratch. We are establishing networks, we're proving models, and we're proving community trust. This pilot allows the state to leverage existing infrastructures instead of rebuilding them. This is about shifting from a system that reacts to harm to one that invests in families before crisis. Community based organizations, especially FRCs, are trusted in the community with historic and historically have been over surveillance and underrepresented.
This is how we operationalize equity and prevention. Family resource centers are already the through line of prevention in California. This pilot doesn't test whether this works. It gives us the opportunity to prove it at scale with consistency and with accountability. This is how California turns prevention from a concept into a cons into a consistent state reality.
We respectfully ask for your support. And now you'll hear from Danielle Lawrence, the executive director of Mutual Assistance Network here in Sacramento County.
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Good afternoon, chair and committee members. My name is Danielle Lawrence, and I am the proud leader of two family resource centers here in Sacramento County. Every day, we serve families who are doing everything they can to stay stable, but they need support navigating systems that were not designed for them. Families don't come to us with a child welfare label often. Sometimes they do.
However, most of our families come in to our doors because they need rent, because they need food, childcare, someone to trust to help them navigate the systems they're struggling with within schools or all of the many, systems such as CPS, Department of Human Assistance, anything that, is coming for services and provision. Our families are getting lost in navigation, and we lean in as family resource centers to ensure that they, do not get lost in the systems and or gets yeah. We are, why this is important, what we do at the Family Resource Center is deescalate crises. They come to us during crisis. First thing we do is before we make a report, we take a establish, like, a picture of where there are, and we deescalate.
We're meeting them where they are. We can help them coordinate. Family resource centers coordinate across systems. Family resource centers provide concrete supports. We do that very well.
And it was evidenced during the pandemic when everything else shut down, but family resource centers remained open and served. This is daily, and this is consistent. It's trusted, and we are already in community, and we are already established as a system of care across California. There is a gap, though. Without this pilot, there's no consistent funding or structure across the counties.
There's no shared way to track our outcomes and the data, it matters. There's no sustainable funding for the level of coordination required, so start stops, is never sustainable for the success in the, of our neighborhoods that we serve. So the work depends on local capacity instead of statewide commitment, and that's why we are here. So this pilot matters. This pilot allows us to do the work we're already doing, but with alignment and sustainability across California.
It allows us to participate in a shared system of learning and accountability, and then it allows us to ensure families receive the same level of support no matter where they live. This is about catching families before they fall deeper into crisis, and it's about trusting community based organizations like us to do what we've already proven we can do well. So in closing, we don't need to create a new system. We do need to invest in the one that families are already using and trust. This pilot helps us do that better together and across California.
Families are already coming to us. This pilot ensures we can meet them with the consistency they deserve. We urge your support by giving your I vote.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you. Now are there members of the public who just testify in support of the bill? Please come to the microphone now.
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Bindu Makamla with the National Association of Social Workers, California chapter in support of this bill.
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Good afternoon. Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in strong support.
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Lynn O'Shea with Mutual Assistance Network and a licensed clinical social worker, and I'm in support of this bill.
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Good afternoon. Adrienne Shilton on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services in proud support.
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Kula Koenig with Safe and Sound. We are the backbone organization of the Family Services Alliance, 44 community based organizations, and 26 FRCs in strong support.
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Mckenzie Richardson with Thriving Families California Foundation in support. Jeanette Carpenter on behalf of Child Action
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Good afternoon. Latanya Mosley with Mutual Assistance Network in strong support.
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Adam Keglin on behalf of the California Charter Schools Association in support.
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Alright. Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill? Any members of public who wish to sign an opposition to the bill, please come up to the microphone now. Alright. Seeing that, I'll bring it back to the committee.
Any questions or comments from committee members and motions? Yeah. Second. Alright. I'll invite the author to close.
Redner 4
Thank you very much, assemblyman. As the assembly representative to the California Child Welfare Council, this is one of the top priorities of the council. The idea being is that we have too many black and native American families being caught up in the system only after a traumatizing investigation being found that there was nothing that existed in the first place. And the best way to do that is to create a proof of concept. I had a bill two years ago, year ago?
I don't know. I don't wanna remember it, that process. I got some scars from that process. But one thing was for sure. We know through research that the best thing to do is to push vulnerable families away from the system and into the support of community based organizations.
High quality, consistent, community based organization to provide them with whatever their real needs are. And many times, it's poverty issues. Others, it could be mental health issues, so they need more supports. But depending on what part of the state you're from depends on your level of trust that the community has the infrastructure necessary to be able to provide consistent, predictable, and high quality services to really meet their needs so that when someone calls, we know that that family is going to be served as opposed to them just being lost in the cracks. And so it's time for us to really develop the proof of concept, the best practice that now we can build off of so that we can be more assured, and our colleagues here in the legislature can be more assured that what we're doing is the best thing to be done in a healthy way so that they can be on a pathway to thrive.
It's my honor to present this bill on behalf of Assemblywoman Rodriguez. I respectfully ask for your I vote.
Redner 2
Alright. Thank you so much for presenting the bill for her. And the bill was moved by assembler Versace, second by assembly Castillo. I have a high recommendation of this bill. Madam secretary, please call the roll on this bill.
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File item 13, a b two four four one. The motion is due passed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Lee? Aye. Lee, aye.
Castillo? Aye. Castillo, aye. Gibson?
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Gibson, aye. Elhwari? Aye. Elhwari, aye. Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, aye. Solange? Aye. Solange, aye.
Tonga pa? Aye. Tonga Pah? Aye.
Redner 2
Seven to zero. That bill is out. Alright, members. That wraps the bills we have, but we will go back in the file for items that, members missed. So, whenever madam secretary is ready, we'll go back in the file, and we'll, capture the Epson members.
Redner 3
Lee, I. Castillo? Aye. Castillo, I. Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, Tongapaw? Aye. Tongapaw, aye. Final vote on the consent calendar, seven to
Redner 3
Final item one, a b one six five five. Current vote is four to zero. Jackson?
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Jackson, aye. Final vote, five to zero. File item 2AB1746. Current vote is six to zero. Jackson?
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Jackson, aye. Final vote, 7 to zero. File item 3AB1755. Current vote is six to zero. Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, aye. Final vote, seven to zero. File item 6AB1969. Current vote is 4 to one.
Jackson?
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Jackson, aye. Tongupa? No. Tongupa, no. Final vote, five to two.
File item 9AB2072, current vote is five to zero. Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Final vote, six to zero.
File item 10, AB2092, current vote, three to zero. Lee?
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Castillo, I. Jackson? Aye. Jackson, Tongupa? Aye.
Tongupa, Final vote, seven to zero. File item 11AB2278. Current vote is three to zero. Lee? Lee I Castillo?
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Tongapaw not voting. Final vote, five to zero. File item 12AB2429. Current vote, six to zero. Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, aye. Final vote, seven to zero. File item 14, AB2567, current vote is six to zero. Tongapah?
No. Tongapah, no. Final vote, six to one.
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