Senate Human Services Committee

00:07 - 00:18

Redner 1

Good morning. I'd like to call to our this meeting of the Senate Committee on Human Services for 09/10/2025. We do have a quorum, so I'd like to ask the committee assistant to please call the roll.

00:19 - 00:23

Redner 2

Adegine? Here. Adegine, here. Achobog?

00:23 - 00:23

Redner 3

Here.

00:23 - 00:25

Redner 2

Achobog, here. Becker?

00:25 - 00:26

Redner 1

Here.

00:26 - 00:28

Redner 2

Becker, here. Lamone Perez?

00:32 - 00:46

Redner 1

Okay. A quorum of the committee is present. Other members will be joining us. And so we have one bill that we are taking up pursuant to Senate rule twenty nine ten d, which is my bill. And so I'll hand the gavel over to the vice chair.

00:47 - 01:02

Redner 3

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And welcome.

01:02 - 02:22

Redner 1

Great. Well, thank you, Madam Chair and members, for the opportunity to present Senate Bill seven ninety two, which will align the disenrollment income eligibility threshold across the child care and development programs administered by the California Department of Social Services from 70% to 85% of the area median income. Additionally, SB seven nineteen clarifies that for reimbursement purposes, attendance includes excused absences for medical and educational appointments, and days when a provider is required to hold a child's space while the family is presumed to have abandoned care or is appealing disenrollment. It also extends family fee exemptions from twelve to twenty four months for children referred for or at risk of receiving child protective services. To put this bill in context, in today's world, child care is critical for so many families in our state.

For many, parents subsidized child care makes it possible for them to keep their jobs and provide for their families. It's essential that these programs operate smoothly ensure that they continue to support California's children and families. For these reasons, SB seven ninety two is of importance, as it will prevent families from being erroneously disenrolled from the critical child care and developmental services that they depend on. Currently, a family's income cannot exceed 85% of the state median income to be eligible for California's child care and development programs. This bill will update these references to reflect the current income threshold of 85% SMI.

02:22 - 02:39

Redner 1

Without this bill, families are at risk of being disenrolled from critical child care services when they are, in fact, still eligible to receive such services. If a family is disenrolled, they may permanently lose access to critical child care and resources that they rely on for their self sufficiency. At the appropriate time, I respectfully ask for an I vote.

02:40 - 02:45

Redner 3

Thank you very much, Senator Ari Gwynne. Do we have any lead witnesses?

02:45 - 02:45

Redner 1

No witnesses.

02:45 - 03:22

Redner 3

No witnesses. Okay. Do we have any witnesses in the audience that would like to testify in support? No? Okay.

We'll lead we'll follow-up with any witnesses in opposition? Seeing none. Here in the room? Seeing none, we'll bring you back to the dais. Any comments or questions by the members?

We have a motion by Senator Becker. Just want to comment on thank you for bringing this measure forward. It's very worthy, worthy bill and very much needed in our state of affairs in California with the high cost of living. So I'm grateful that you're bringing this forward. And would you like to close?

03:22 - 03:23

Redner 1

I respectfully ask for your I vote.

03:23 - 03:25

Redner 3

Okay. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

03:28 - 03:42

Redner 2

File item one, SB seven ninety two. The motion is assembly amendments to be concurred in. Attagin? Attagin, aye. Achobog?

Aye. Achobog, aye. Becker?

03:43 - 03:43

Redner 1

Aye.

03:43 - 03:46

Redner 2

Becker, aye. Limon Perez?

03:48 - 03:53

Redner 3

Okay. We'll place that on hold for our absent members. Thank you very much, Senator Arrigan.

04:01 - 04:36

Redner 1

Thank you, colleagues, being here. If you have recorded a vote, you are free to go. This committee will be in recess for five minutes as we wait for the other members to come and record their votes. Okay. We are reconvening the Human Services Committee meeting.

We have a motion, which is concurrency in the assembly amendments and do pass the floor for SB seven ninety two. If the committee assistant can please call the roll.

04:39 - 04:42

Redner 2

Lamone? Aye. Lamone, aye.

04:42 - 14:15

Redner 1

Okay, thank you. We'll keep that bell on call. Thank you very much, Senator Lamone. And so we will recess the committee for five minutes before we close the roll. Now they Okay.

We'll reconvene the senate committee on human services. Okay. The committee is back in session, and we do have a motion, which is concurrence with the assembly amendments for Senate Bill seven ninety two and do pass to the floor. And if the committee assistant can please call the roll.

14:16 - 14:18

Redner 2

Perez? Aye. Perez aye.

14:18 - 14:33

Redner 1

Okay. That bill is out on a vote of five to zero. Thank you. I believe this will be our last hearing for this committee this year. So thank you to the staff and our colleagues.

With that, the Senate Committee on Human Services is now adjourned. Thank you.