text:
(a) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department shall issue an annual all-county letter providing guidance that lists which counties or regions are eligible to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) because they meet the requirements established in Section 4014 of the federal Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79). The department’s all-county letter shall include instructions for how a county may choose to administer the RMP in that county or appeal a noneligible determination by the department.

(b) The department shall design the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10065) of Part 1 to, automatically and upon issuance of an EBT card, allow all CalFresh recipients who are eligible for the RMP to utilize their benefits in all restaurants that have been approved to participate in the RMP.

(c) Except for direct farm purchasing programs or if otherwise not required at a certified farmer’s market, a restaurant shall not operate as a vendor in the program unless the restaurant permits customers to make in-store purchases, maintains a current public health license, and complies with all federal, state, and local health and safety laws, regulations, and ordinances. For the purpose of this section, “in-store purchase” means any purchase that is not delivered to the purchaser.

(d) To the extent permitted by federal law, a county, in administering its RMP program, shall not be precluded from determining the number, type, and location of restaurants the county chooses to include as vendors to align with county administrative capacity or other factors, including, but not limited to, location of participating restaurants and recipient demand.

(e) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, the department, in consultation with various stakeholders, including, but not limited to, county human services agencies and advocates for CalFresh recipients, shall establish a statewide RMP.

(2) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department shall implement this subdivision by means of all-county letters or similar instructions from the director on or before September 1, 2021.

(f) To prevent hunger among college students who are homeless, elderly, or disabled, and to facilitate compliance with Section 66025.93 of the Education Code, the department may enter into a statewide memorandum of understanding with the Chancellor of the California State University, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, or both. Any qualifying food facility located on a campus of the California State University or a campus of the California Community Colleges may participate in the CalFresh RMP through this statewide memorandum of understanding.

(g) For purposes of this section, unless it is specifically excluded from participation in the RMP by federal law or guidance, a restaurant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an on-campus qualifying food facility, as defined in Section 66025.93 of the Education Code, an eat-in establishment, a grocery store delicatessen, and a takeaway-only restaurant.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 84. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)


kind: section

code: WIC

text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.

(b) The State Department of Social Services shall maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 38, Sec. 1. (AB 553) Effective January 1, 2026.)

division: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

chapter: 10. CalFresh

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 10. CalFresh


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, an agreement between the department and a unit of local government, any other unit of state government, or a nonprofit organization that provides for a contract relating to either of the following is and shall be deemed a “cooperative agreement,” as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 38072 of the Health and Safety Code:

(1) Outreach programs related to CalFresh.

(2) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 38072 of the Health and Safety Code, for purposes of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 38070) of Division 25.2 of the Health and Safety Code, any reference to the term “department” in those provisions shall refer to the State Department of Social Services for purposes of an agreement described in subdivision (a).

(c) In addition to the authority granted the department in subdivision (a) of Section 38081.1 of the Health and Safety Code, a change of subcontracts shall not be subject to review and approval by the Department of General Services pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.

(d) The Legislature finds and declares that this section shall be applied retroactively to currently executed agreements that are described in subdivision (a).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 25, Sec. 31. (AB 1603) Effective June 27, 2016.)


text:
(a) On or before July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a request for a federal waiver to waive the provisions of Section 273.9(b) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any other federal law, regulation, or guidance, to exclude the basic allowance for housing provided to uniformed service members pursuant to Section 403 of Title 37 of the United States Code from countable income in the determination of eligibility and benefit level for purposes of receiving CalFresh benefits.

(b) Upon federal approval of the waiver, the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California, advocates for CalFresh recipients, and the Military Department, shall issue an all-county letter instructing counties on updated eligibility requirements and benefit calculations for uniformed service members receiving a basic allowance for housing.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 877, Sec. 1. (SB 950) Effective January 1, 2023.)


text:
(a) The State Department of Social Services shall submit a request to the United States Department of Agriculture for a waiver to permit a CalFresh household to retain funds in the restricted savings account as specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11155.2 and as accumulated while participating in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. The participation requirements for this specific savings account as specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11155.2 shall apply to CalFresh. Penalties for nonqualifying withdrawal of these funds shall result in a calculation of a period of ineligibility for all persons in the CalFresh household, to be determined by dividing the balance in the account immediately prior to the withdrawal by the CalFresh allotment to which the household is entitled. The resulting whole number shall be the number of months of ineligibility. The period of ineligibility may be reduced when the divisor, which is the CalFresh allotment, increases as a result of a cost-of-living adjustment.

(b) The director may waive, with federal approval, the enforcement of specific federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program requirements, regulations, and standards necessary to implement this provision.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 92. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) To the extent permitted by federal law, waiver, demonstration project, or other federal authority, the department shall allow counties to utilize existing information maintained by the federal Social Security Administration regarding low-income social security benefit recipients, to simplify enrollment into the CalFresh program administered pursuant to this chapter, provided that an interested county has either the existing capacity to receive that information, or the ability to adapt its existing automation systems without significant changes or costs to the state or county.

(b) The department shall support enrollment efforts pursuant to this section by doing all of the following:

(1) Working with the Social Security Administration to target social security recipients 60 years of age and older whose income and other factors are likely to qualify them for aid through CalFresh.

(2) Developing a streamlined application and simplified enrollment process for likely eligible recipients, which may include strategies used by other states to reduce paperwork and increase federal nutrition benefits, including, but not limited to, self-certification of key eligibility factors, standardization of benefits and deductions, and automation of the application process.

(3) Seeking waivers, grants, or other federal authority and support necessary to implement this section.

(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2012.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 502, Sec. 2. (AB 69) Effective January 1, 2012. Section operative July 1, 2012, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The State Department of Health Care Services, in conjunction with the State Department of Social Services, shall implement a simplified eligibility process as part of CalFresh to expedite Medi-Cal program and Healthy Families Program enrollment for CalFresh recipients, including children and their eligible parents or caretaker relatives who are not enrolled in those programs.

(b) Each county welfare department shall develop a data list of family members residing in eligible CalFresh households who are not enrolled in the Medi-Cal program or the Healthy Families Program.

(c) The county welfare department shall develop a notice informing individuals identified pursuant to subdivision (b) that they may be entitled to receive benefits under the Medi-Cal program or the Healthy Families Program.

(d) At the time of the CalFresh household’s annual recertification, the county welfare department shall send the notice specified in subdivision (c) to the individuals identified in subdivision (b). The notice shall include a request for permission to use the information in the CalFresh recipient’s case file to make a determination of eligibility for the Medi-Cal program and the Healthy Families Program.

(e) The notice shall be written in culturally and linguistically appropriate language and at an appropriate literacy level. The notice shall include information on the Medi-Cal program and the Healthy Families Program, and a telephone number that CalFresh recipients may call for additional information.

(f) To apply for medical assistance under the Medi-Cal program, the CalFresh recipient shall sign, date, and return the notice requesting that an eligibility determination be made. Upon receipt of the notice, the county welfare department shall make an eligibility determination by utilizing the information in the CalFresh recipient’s case file or paper application. The Medi-Cal application date shall be the date the notice is received by the county welfare department. If the CalFresh case file does not include sufficient information to establish Medi-Cal program eligibility, the county welfare department shall request, either orally or in writing, additional information from the CalFresh recipient.

(g) If the CalFresh recipient is determined to be eligible to participate in the Medi-Cal program with a share of cost, or is determined to be ineligible for Medi-Cal, information pertinent to the CalFresh recipient’s eligibility for the Healthy Families Program shall be forwarded by the county welfare department to the Healthy Families Program statewide administrator for immediate processing. If there is insufficient information to establish Healthy Families Program eligibility, the administrator shall request, either orally or in writing, additional information from the CalFresh recipient.

(h) Counties shall include the cost of implementing this section in their annual administrative budget requests to the State Department of Health Care Services.

(i) This section shall be implemented on or after July 1, 2003, but only to the extent federal financial participation is available.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 93. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) To the extent permitted by federal law, the department shall annually seek a federal waiver of the existing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program limitation that stipulates that an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) participant is limited to three months of CalFresh benefits in a three-year period unless that participant has met the work participation requirement or is otherwise exempt.

(b) All eligible counties shall be included in and bound by this waiver.

(c) At its option, when a county is not eligible for a countywide waiver, a county may request that the department apply for the waiver described in subdivision (a) for one or more eligible subareas of the county. The department shall seek the subarea waiver within a reasonable time frame following a request made by a county, and may seek any necessary information from the county to support the waiver request.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 24, Sec. 54. (SB 89) Effective June 27, 2017.)


text:
(a) To the extent not prohibited by federal law and guidance, the department shall ensure that all recipients subject to the federal ABAWD time limit described in Section 18926 are permitted to meet the work requirements of the time limit through all forms of work, including, but not limited to, volunteer work at a nonprofit organization or a public institution that the recipient chooses, if the county can verify the hours of participation using the process established by the department pursuant to subdivision (b).

(b) On or before January 1, 2018, the department, with input from the County Welfare Directors Association and advocates for CalFresh recipients, shall issue an all-county letter instructing counties as to how to verify hours of the volunteer work specified in subdivision (a).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 24, Sec. 55. (SB 89) Effective June 27, 2017.)


text: To the extent not prohibited by federal law and guidance, a recipient who is homeless shall be deemed to be exempt from the federal ABAWD time limit described in Section 18926. For purposes of this section, a recipient who is homeless is a person who does not have a regular nighttime residence.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 24, Sec. 56. (SB 89) Effective June 27, 2017.)


text:
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, “CalFresh Employment and Training program” or “CalFresh E&T” means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.

(b) (1) A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, if he or she is a victim of domestic violence, or if he or she is subject to the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit pursuant to Section 18926.

(2) For purposes of this section, “deferred” has the same meaning as exempt.

(c) (1) A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, which may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

(A) Self-initiated workfare.

(B) Work experience or training.

(C) Education.

(D) Job search.

(E) Job search training.

(F) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act activities.

(G) Self-employment training.

(H) Job retention.

(I) Subsidized employment, as set forth in subdivision (d).

(J) (i) The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, as allowed by federal and state law and guidance.

(ii) The department shall issue guidance to counties participating in CalFresh E&T with instructions for providing support services or client reimbursements pursuant to this subparagraph. The guidance shall include, but not be limited to, instructions for reimbursing a proportion of the cost of Internet service or telephone service.

(2) This section does not require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.

(d) To the extent permitted by federal law, the department shall seek a federal waiver that would allow 50-percent federal reimbursement for eligible CalFresh E&T activities to be used to provide a wage subsidy for ABAWD participants in counties that do not participate in the waiver of the ABAWD time limit pursuant to Section 18926.

(e) This section does not limit a county’s ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individual’s participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the county’s choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.

(f) This section does not restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.

(g) This section does not require a county to provide for workers’ compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant is not an employee for the purposes of workers’ compensation coverage, and a county has no duty to provide workers’ compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.

(h) This section does not prevent the department from entering into an agreement with an organization, institution, or agency, and, subject to approval of the state’s employment and training plan by the United States Department of Agriculture, from acting as the state entity for receipt of employment and training reimbursement from/through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on behalf of the organization, institution, or agency.

(i) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. The department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 381, Sec. 1. (AB 1892) Effective January 1, 2019.)


text: In a county that elects to participate in the CalFresh E&T program, a veteran applying for CalFresh benefits who is required to register to work, but who is exempt from mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program pursuant to Section 18926.5, shall be given the opportunity to participate as a volunteer in the CalFresh E&T program, and shall be provided with a referral to the local county veterans service office and a referral to veterans’ assistance and job training agencies, if those veterans’ assistance and job training agencies are known to the county.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 283, Sec. 3. (SB 134) Effective January 1, 2014.)


text:
(a) (1) To the extent permitted under federal law, the department may contract directly with an entity that provides services on a regional or statewide basis and that has expertise in, and secures funds for, CalFresh E&T program services provided to participants that are allowable for partial federal reimbursement.

(2) The department may act as the state entity for receipt of federal reimbursement on behalf of the entity, provided that the entity complies with state and federal contracting requirements and the entity serves participants who face multiple barriers to employment and offers evidence-based skills development that results in a demonstrable increase in employment rates and earnings from work. The entity may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(A) An employment social enterprise.

(B) A private nonprofit.

(C) A public postsecondary educational institution, or other state or local agency.

(D) An organization serving as an intermediary for an entity described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, and the department.

(b) The department shall seek any county consultation necessary to implement subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, coordination with counties that have contracts in place pursuant to subdivision (c), or counties that are considering entering into contracts pursuant to subdivision (c).

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a county may contract with an employment social enterprise or designated intermediary to provide services to its CalFresh E&T program participants. The department shall, no later than June 1, 2018, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association, issue guidance instructing counties that elect to participate in CalFresh E&T program services of any special considerations for partnering with employment social enterprises in the development or implementation of their county CalFresh E&T programs.

(d) (1) For purposes of this section, “employment social enterprise” means a social purpose corporation, a benefit corporation, or a nonprofit corporation that earns 51 percent or more of its enterprise revenue from production or assembly of goods or the provision of services and that demonstrates evidence of its mission to provide employment with on-the-job and life skills training to a direct labor force, not including supervisors, administrators, and trainers, that is comprised of 80 percent or more participants who face multiple barriers to employment.

(2) For purposes of this section, “participant who faces multiple barriers to employment” means any of the following individuals:

(A) An individual with employment barriers who is a member of at least two of the groups listed under subdivision (j) of Section 14005 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.

(B) An individual who is or has been a homeless individual, as defined in Section 254b of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(C) An individual who is an out-of-school youth, as defined in Section 3164(a)(1)(B) of Title 29 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 381, Sec. 2. (AB 1892) Effective January 1, 2019.)


text:
(a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the CalFresh E&T Workers’ Compensation Fund for the purpose of paying workers’ compensation claims resulting from CalFresh recipients’ participation in the CalFresh E&T program. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, funds deposited and maintained under this section are continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, to the State Department of Social Services for the payment of workers’ compensation claims to CalFresh E&T participants.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, income generated from the Surplus Money Investment Fund during any fiscal year shall be credited to the CalFresh E&T Workers’ Compensation Fund.

(c) In the event of an amendment to the law requiring abolition of the fund, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 82. (SB 187) Effective June 30, 2022.)


text:
(a) Current and future CalFresh benefits shall be reduced in accordance with subdivisions (c) and (d) to recover an overissuance caused by intentional program violation, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 273.16 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, fraud, or inadvertent household error.

(b) Current and future CalFresh benefits shall be reduced in accordance with subdivisions (c) and (d) to recover an overissuance caused by administrative error if required by federal law or if the overissuance exceeds one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125), or a higher amount that is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Any higher amount shall be implemented when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this provision.

(c) A household’s CalFresh benefits shall not be reduced to recover an overissuance as required or authorized by subdivision (a) or (b) unless the household receives adequate and timely notice of the overissuance, including, but not limited to, the budget worksheet that includes the amount and calculation of the overissuance and the reason for the overissuance.

(d) (1) In recovering an overissuance caused by administrative error, a recipient household’s monthly CalFresh benefits shall not be reduced by more than 5 percent of the household’s monthly CalFresh benefits or ten dollars ($10), whichever is greater, unless the recipient elects for the benefits to be reduced at a higher rate.

(2) In recovering an overissuance caused by inadvertent household error, a recipient household’s monthly CalFresh benefits shall not be reduced by more than 10 percent of the household’s monthly CalFresh benefits or ten dollars ($10), whichever is greater.

(3) In recovering an overissuance caused by intentional program violation, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 273.16 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or fraud, a recipient household’s monthly CalFresh benefits shall be reduced by 20 percent of the household’s monthly CalFresh benefit or twenty dollars ($20), whichever is greater.

(e) If a household is no longer receiving CalFresh benefits, a CalFresh overissuance caused by administrative error or inadvertent household error shall not be established, and collection shall not be attempted, if the overissuance is less than four hundred dollars ($400), or a higher amount that is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Any higher amount shall be implemented when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this provision.

(f) (1) No later than January 1, 2021, the department shall develop a policy for compromising administrative error claims, in whole or in part, for households that include at least one elderly or disabled member, including, but not limited to, recipients of Supplemental Security Income benefits.

(2) The department will implement the policy specified in paragraph (1) on December 31, 2023, or when implementation of the single Statewide Automated Welfare System automation is confirmed, whichever is later.

(g) If a household is no longer receiving CalFresh benefits, collection shall be attempted if the overissuance is caused by inadvertent household error and the overissuance is equal to or greater than the amount established for overissuances caused by administrative error, as specified in subdivision (e). All overissuances caused by intentional program violation, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 273.16 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or fraud shall be collected as required by federal law.

(h) When an overissuance collection is attempted, reasonable cost-effective methods of collection shall be implemented. The department shall define reasonable cost-effective collection methods, which shall include adequate and timely notice of the overissuance, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The amount and calculation of, and reason for, the overissuance.

(2) A statement of the monetary threshold described in this subdivision.

(3) Information about how to appeal the overissuance.

(4) Instructions for timely commencement of repayment.

(5) Consequences of delinquent payment.

(i) Nothing in this section shall prevent a county from writing off or terminating an overissuance claim when it meets the provisions of paragraph (8) of subdivision (e) of Section 273.18 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or as otherwise authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture or federal law.

(j) Nothing in this section shall prevent a county or the state from collecting all overissuances that are identified during a quality control review, as required by Section 275.12 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(k) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section through all-county letters or similar instructions from the director no later than January 1, 2014, to allow for automation updates required by this section to be made in coordination with other scheduled updates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 11, Sec. 91. (AB 79) Effective June 29, 2020.)


text:
(a) A county shall establish a claim to recover an overissuance of CalFresh benefits due to inadvertent household error, as defined by subdivision (b) of Section 273.18 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or administrative error for which 24 months or fewer have elapsed between the month the overissuance occurred and the month the county welfare department determined the overissuance occurred. A county shall not establish a claim to recover an overissuance due to inadvertent household error or administrative error for which more than 24 months have elapsed between the month the overissuance occurred and the month the county welfare department determined the overissuance occurred.

(b) A claim established pursuant to this section shall equal the total amount of overissuance during the 24 months immediately preceding the date the overissuance due to the inadvertent household error or administrative error was discovered. A county shall not collect any portion of an overissuance that occurred more than 24 months before the date the county discovered the overissuance.

(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2022, or upon the department’s notification to the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, whichever date is later.

(d) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions, which shall have the same force and effect as regulations, until regulations are adopted.

(e) The department shall adopt emergency regulations implementing this section no later than January 1, 2023. The department may readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, any emergency regulation previously adopted pursuant to this section. The initial adoption of regulations pursuant to this section and one readoption of emergency regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. Initial emergency regulations and one readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The initial emergency regulations and the one readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State, and each shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days, by which time final regulations shall be adopted.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 85. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021. Conditionally operative July 1, 2022, or later date, as prescribed by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) A county human services agency shall notify the department when a mass overissuance has been identified, and include information in the notification as to whether the mass overissuance is known to have been caused by either of the following:

(1) Negligence or fraud on the part of the county human services agency in the certification of applicant households, as defined by subdivision (h) of Section 2020 of Title 7 of the United States Code.

(2) A major systemic error by the state or county human services agency, as defined by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 2022 of Title 7 of the United States Code.

(b) For purposes of this section, “mass overissuance” means an overissuance that is caused by the same action or inaction and impacts either 8 percent of the county CalFresh caseload, or more than 1,000 CalFresh households within the county, whichever is greater.

(c) The department shall report mass overissuances to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, as required by federal law and guidance.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 388, Sec. 2. (SB 278) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text: For the purpose of maximizing the anti-hunger impact of Section 66027.8 of the Education Code, the department shall consult with stakeholders, including legislative staff, representatives of counties, CalFresh eligibility workers, representatives from each segment of public postsecondary education, advocates for CalFresh recipients, and other stakeholders as identified by the department, with the goals of improving coordination between the segments of public postsecondary education and CalFresh administering agencies and improving access to CalFresh for low-income public postsecondary students. To the extent possible, this consultation shall take place through existing workgroups convened by the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 323. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)


text:
(a) No later than January 1, 2024, in order to assist in monitoring information about access to the CalFresh program by students enrolled in an institution of higher education, the department shall publish data specific to students’ receipt of CalFresh benefits on the department’s existing CalFresh Data Dashboard.

(b) The data shall include metrics about student applications, demographics, and exemptions as available through existing data sources, and shall exclude any personally identifiable information.

(c) The department shall update the dashboard on an annual basis and as additional data become available about the population described in subdivision (a).

(d) For purposes of this section, “enrolled in an institution of higher education” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 273.5 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 168, Sec. 1. (AB 928) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text:
(a) In order to support access to CalFresh and other nutrition programs, to accurately determine eligibility and benefit amounts, to effectively deploy funding to support county welfare departments’ implementation and operation of program requirements, and to complement federal and state performance measures, including, but not limited to, access, timeliness, and accuracy measures, the department shall utilize information related to the measures identified in subdivision (b) that is necessary to assess performance of, monitor the efficacy and impact of administrative funding of, facilitate technical assistance with county welfare departments related to, and inform the public about service delivery in, the CalFresh program.

(b) Information utilized pursuant to this section shall be limited to information related to client, eligibility worker, and administrator experiences, case processing, and the operations of automation systems.

(c) The department shall prioritize the use of existing data and administrative information before requesting or requiring additional information from counties. The information shall support the state and county welfare departments’ efforts to mitigate the impacts of Public Law 119-21 on clients, county welfare departments, and the state, including information that supports eligible people receiving the benefits they are entitled to and minimizes benefit cost sharing by reducing the state’s payment error rate.

(d) In consultation with county welfare departments, the County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA), the recognized exclusive representatives of eligibility workers, the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) Consortium, and other stakeholders, as identified by the department, the department shall define the information and processes necessary to meet the goals identified in subdivisions (a) and (c), including the specification of data elements, system tables, or other information, as well as describe the processes to obtain the information, including defining the form of the data and the methods of delivery, and the circumstances under which an extension may be granted pursuant to subdivision (e).

(e) The county welfare departments and CalSAWS Consortium shall provide the information and access to necessary data identified by the department pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d), to the extent the information is available, and is not legally prohibited from being shared, including the provision of any relevant information or data that may be held by a contractor performing services for the county welfare department, to the extent permitted under existing contracts. Once the department has communicated a data or information need to a county welfare department or to CalSAWS, production of information or data shall begin for recurring instances, and be completed for one-time instances, within no more than 60 days of the department’s request, unless the department grants an extension of time.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 26, Sec. 34. (AB 152) Effective June 29, 2026.)


text: To the extent permitted by federal law, regulation, or a waiver of a federal law or regulation, a county shall determine that good cause exists for purposes of the work requirement specified in Section 273.7(a)(1)(vii) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations if an applicant or recipient has voluntarily quit a job or reduced work hours based on at least one of the reasons enumerated in subdivision (a) of Section 11320.31, or because the scheduled work hours were so unpredictable that they did not allow the applicant or recipient to anticipate the amount of monthly income from the job. If the applicant or recipient reports refusing any offer of employment, reducing hours, voluntarily quitting any employment, or being discharged from any employment, the county human services agency shall provide the applicant or recipient with information regarding workplace rights generally, including information about how to file complaints with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Civil Rights Department. This information shall be provided pursuant to the instructions developed by the workgroup specified in subdivision (d) of Section 11320.31.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 234. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text:
(a) The State Department of Social Services shall establish a Food Assistance Program to provide assistance for those persons described in subdivision (b). The department shall enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to use the existing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program coupons for the purposes of administering this program. Persons who are members of a household receiving CalFresh benefits under this chapter or under Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900), and are receiving CalWORKs benefits under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 on September 1, 1998, shall have eligibility determined under this chapter without need for a new application no later than November 1, 1998, and the beginning date of assistance under this chapter for those persons shall be September 1, 1998.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and Section 18930.5, noncitizens of the United States shall be eligible for the program established pursuant to subdivision (a) if the person’s immigration status meets the eligibility criteria of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in effect on August 21, 1996, but the person is not eligible for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits solely due to the person’s immigration status under Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

(2) Noncitizens of the United States shall be eligible for the program established pursuant to subdivision (a) if the person is a battered immigrant spouse or child or the parent or child of the battered immigrant, as described in Section 1641(c) of Title 8 of the United States Code, as amended by Section 5571 of Public Law 105-33, or if the person is a Cuban or Haitian entrant as described in Section 501(e) of the federal Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-122).

(3) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall be eligible for aid under this chapter only if the applicant is sponsored and one of the following apply:

(A) The sponsor has died.

(B) The sponsor is disabled as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 11320.3.

(C) The applicant, after entry into the United States, is a victim of abuse by the sponsor or the spouse of the sponsor if the spouse is living with the sponsor.

(4) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, who does not meet one of the conditions of paragraph (3), shall be eligible for aid under this chapter beginning on October 1, 1999.

(5) The applicant shall be required to provide verification that one of the conditions of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (3) has been met.

(6) For purposes of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3), abuse shall be defined in the same manner as provided in Section 11495.1 and Section 11495.12. A sworn statement of abuse by a victim, or the representative of the victim if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient to establish abuse if one or more additional items of evidence of abuse is also provided. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(B) Documentation from a domestic violence program, legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse.

(C) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(D) Physical evidence of abuse.

(7) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county makes a determination documented in writing in the case file that the applicant is credible.

(c) (1) To the extent allowed by federal law, the income, resources, and deductible expenses of those persons described in subdivision (b) shall be excluded when calculating CalFresh benefits under Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900).

(2) No household shall receive more CalFresh benefits under this section than it would if no household member was rendered ineligible pursuant to Title IV of Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

(d) This section shall become inoperative on the date that the department has notified the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement Section 18930, as added by the act that added this subdivision, and, as of January 1 of the following year, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 86. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021. Conditionally inoperative as prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed on January 1 after inoperative date. See later operative version added by Sec. 87 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 85.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 10.1. Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants


text:
(a) There is hereby created the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

(b) CFAP shall utilize existing CalFresh and electronic benefits transfer system infrastructure to the extent permissible by federal law.

(c) The State Department of Social Services shall use state funds appropriated for CFAP to provide nutrition benefits to households that are ineligible for CalFresh benefits solely due to their immigration status. In accordance with Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code, this chapter provides benefits for undocumented persons.

(1) Subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for the express purpose of this paragraph, an individual 55 years of age or older shall be eligible for the program established in subdivision (a) if the individual’s immigration status is the sole basis for their ineligibility for CalFresh benefits.

(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) and Section 18930.5, noncitizens of the United States shall be eligible for the program established pursuant to subdivision (a) if the person’s immigration status meets the eligibility criteria of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in effect on August 21, 1996, but the person is not eligible for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits solely due to the person’s immigration status under Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

(3) Noncitizens of the United States shall be eligible for the program established pursuant to subdivision (a) if the person is a battered immigrant spouse or child or the parent or child of the battered immigrant, as described in Section 1641(c) of Title 8 of the United States Code, as amended by Section 5571 of Public Law 105-33, or if the person is a Cuban or Haitian entrant as described in Section 501(e) of the federal Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-422).

(4) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall be eligible for aid under this chapter if the applicant is sponsored and one of the following apply:

(A) The sponsor has died.

(B) The sponsor is disabled, as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 11320.3.

(C) The applicant, after entry into the United States, is a victim of abuse by the sponsor or the spouse of the sponsor if the spouse is living with the sponsor.

(5) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, who does not meet one of the conditions of paragraph (4), shall be eligible for aid under this chapter beginning on October 1, 1999.

(6) The applicant shall be required to provide verification that one of the conditions of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (4) has been met.

(7) For purposes of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4), abuse shall be defined in the same manner as provided in Section 11495.1 and Section 11495.12. A sworn statement of abuse by a victim, or the representative of the victim if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient to establish abuse if one or more additional items of evidence of abuse are also provided. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(B) Documentation from a domestic violence program, legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse.

(C) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(D) Physical evidence of abuse.

(8) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county makes a determination documented in writing in the case file that the applicant is credible.

(d) (1) The amount of nutrition benefits provided to each CFAP household shall be identical to the amount that would otherwise be provided to a household eligible for CalFresh benefits.

(2) The benefit amount for a CFAP recipient who is an excluded member of a CalFresh household shall be limited to the amount that the recipient would have received as their share of a CalFresh household benefit, had they not been excluded due to their immigration status.

(3) To the extent permissible under federal law, the delivery of CFAP nutrition benefits shall be identical to the delivery of CalFresh benefits to eligible CalFresh households.

(e) (1) To the extent allowed by federal law, the income, resources, and deductible expenses of those persons described in subdivision (c) shall be excluded when calculating CalFresh benefits under Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900).

(2) No household shall receive more CalFresh benefits under this section than it would if no household member was rendered ineligible pursuant to Title IV of Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

(f) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions without taking regulatory action until final regulations are adopted, but no later than 18 months after the date upon which this subdivision becomes operative.

(g) (1) Notwithstanding Section 18933 and subdivision (d), commencing October 1, 2027, or once this section becomes operative pursuant to subdivision (h), whichever is later, CalFresh and CFAP overissuance claims arising out of the same error or intentional program violation recovered through minimum allotment reductions shall be recovered consecutively.

(2) For any household receiving both CalFresh and CFAP benefits that is subject to minimum allotment reductions for overissuance claims, the CalFresh overissuance claim shall be recovered as prescribed by subdivision (d) of Section 18927 and Section 273.18 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations and shall occur prior to recovery of the CFAP overissuance claim.

(3) Recovery of the CFAP overissuance claim shall not commence until the entire CalFresh overissuance claim has been recovered.

(4) For purposes of this subdivision, minimum allotment reduction means either of the following:

(A) The reduction of a household’s monthly allotment due to an overissuance claim is determined to be twenty dollars ($20) pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 18927.

(B) The reduction of a household’s monthly allotment due to an overissuance claim is determined to be at ten dollars ($10) pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 18927.

(h) This section shall become operative on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 84) by Stats. 2026, Ch. 26, Sec. 35. (AB 152) Effective June 29, 2026. Conditionally operative by its own provisions.)

chapter: 10.1. Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants


text:
(a) A recipient of benefits under this chapter shall not be required to meet the work requirement under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as specified in Section 2015(o) of Title 7 of the United States Code, any work registration requirements, or the requirements of Section 273.11(k) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) An applicant who states that they do not have a social security number shall not be required to present a social security number in order to receive benefits under this chapter.

(c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions without taking regulatory action until final regulations are adopted, which shall be no later than 18 months after the date upon which this subdivision becomes operative.

(d) This section shall become operative on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement Section 18930 as added by Section 87 of Chapter 85 of the Statutes of 2021.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 85) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 46, Sec. 59. (AB 161) Effective July 2, 2024. Conditionally operative on date prescribed by its own provisions.)


text: Any person who is eligible for federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, administered in California as CalFresh benefits, shall not be eligible for assistance under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 96. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the federal and state laws and regulations governing the federal Food Stamp Program shall also govern the program provided for under this chapter.

(b) Federal deeming rules and exemptions governing the federal Food Stamp Program shall also govern the program provided for under this chapter, except that for immigrants with affidavits of support under Section 1183a of Title 8 of the United States Code who do not meet exemptions from deeming, the period for deeming of a sponsor’s income and resources shall be three years from the date of the sponsor’s execution of the affidavit of support pursuant to Section 1183a of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, immigrants who are victims of abuse by their sponsor or sponsor’s spouse shall be exempt from deeming. Abuse shall be defined in the same manner as provided in Section 11495.1 and Section 11495.12. A sworn statement of abuse by a victim, or the representative of the victim if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient to establish abuse if one or more additional items of evidence of abuse is also provided. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(2) Documentation from a domestic violence program, or from a legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse.

(3) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(4) Physical evidence of abuse.

(5) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county makes a determination documented in writing in the case file that the applicant is credible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 147, Sec. 42. Effective July 22, 1999.)


text:
(a) The state shall retain a portion of any collected overissuance claims on benefits issued under this chapter. The portion of the recovered overissuance claims retained by the state shall be the same percentage as the state and the United States Department of Agriculture would have retained, combined, if the overissuance claims had been collected under the CalFresh program. Any remaining portion of the recovered overissuance claims shall be distributed by the department to the counties based on the amount of the overissuance claims recovered by the counties.

(b) This section shall become operative upon Section 18930, as added by Section 87 of Chapter 85 of the Statutes of 2021, becoming operative.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 46, Sec. 61. (AB 161) Effective July 2, 2024. Conditionally operative on date prescribed by its own provisions.)


text: Benefits provided under this chapter shall be equivalent to the benefits provided under the federal Food Stamp Program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 287, Sec. 1. Effective August 18, 1997.)


text: (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate funds in the Budget Act for the purpose of providing services under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 147, Sec. 42.5. Effective July 22, 1999.)


text: This chapter shall be implemented only during any period that federal benefits are provided under Section 1612(a) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 147, Sec. 42.6. Effective July 22, 1999.)


text:
(a) The Tribal Nutrition Assistance Program is hereby established, to be administered by the State Department of Social Services.

(b) Subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, the department shall, at its discretion, award grants to eligible tribes and tribal organizations for the purpose of addressing food insecurity and inequities within California.

(c) The department shall develop grant eligibility standards and grant rules regarding approved services and assistance in government-to-government consultation with tribes.

(d) The department shall begin awarding grants no later than July 1, 2023.

(e) Contracts or grants awarded pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the Public Contract Code, and the State Contracting Manual, and are not subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.

(f) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services may implement and administer this act without adopting regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 46, Sec. 62. (AB 161) Effective July 2, 2024.)

chapter: 10.2. Tribal Nutrition Assistance

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 10.2. Tribal Nutrition Assistance


text: The State Department of Social Services shall establish and supervise a county- or county consortia-administered program to provide cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled legal immigrants who are not citizens and who successfully complete an application process. No application shall be required of individuals described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 18944. The department shall conduct the evaluations of disability for the program. If the federal government agrees to administer the program, the department shall contract with the federal government for this purpose, and the county responsibilities shall be reduced by the duties and responsibilities undertaken by the federal government.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 329, Sec. 38. Effective August 21, 1998.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 10.3. Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants


text:
(a) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an individual, upon application, shall be eligible for the program established pursuant to Section 18937 if his or her immigration status meets the eligibility criteria of the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP) in effect on August 21, 1996, but he or she is not eligible for SSI/SSP benefits solely due to his or her immigration status under Title IV of Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto.

(2) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program, but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall be eligible for aid under this chapter only if he or she is sponsored and one of the following conditions is met:

(A) The sponsor has died.

(B) The sponsor is disabled, as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 11320.3.

(C) The applicant, after entry into the United States, is a victim of abuse by the sponsor or the spouse of the sponsor if the spouse is living with the sponsor.

(3) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for the program but who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who does not meet one of the conditions of paragraph (2) shall be eligible for aid under this chapter beginning on October 1, 1999.

(4) The applicant shall be required to provide verification that one of the conditions of subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) has been met.

(5) (A) For purposes of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2), abuse shall be defined in the same manner as provided in Section 11495.1 and Section 11495.12. A sworn statement of abuse by a victim, or the representative of the victim if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient to establish abuse if one or more additional items of evidence of abuse is also provided. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(ii) Documentation from a domestic violence program, legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse.

(iii) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(iv) Physical evidence of abuse.

(B) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county makes a determination documented in the case file that the applicant is credible.

(b) The department shall periodically redetermine the eligibility of each individual.

(c) The department shall take all steps necessary to qualify any benefits paid under this section to be eligible for reimbursement as federal Interim Assistance including requiring a repayment agreement.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 111, Sec. 53. Effective July 30, 2001.)

chapter: 10.3. Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants


text:
(a) Any person who is found to be eligible for federally funded SSI by the department shall be required to apply for SSI benefits. An individual may continue to receive benefits under this article if he or she fully cooperates in the application and administrative appeal process of the Social Security Administration. An individual shall continue to be eligible to receive benefits under this article if he or she receives an unfavorable decision from the Social Security Administration.

(b) (1) The State Department of Social Services shall require counties with a base caseload of recipients of aid under this chapter of 70 or more to establish an advocacy program to assist applicants and recipients of aid under this chapter in the application process for the SSI program. The department shall encourage counties with a base caseload of recipients of aid under this chapter of 69 or less to establish a similar advocacy program. Counties may, at their option, contract to provide any or all of the required advocacy services.

(2) The department shall provide assistance to counties in their efforts to implement an SSI advocacy program (SSIAP) for applicants and recipients of aid under this chapter.

(c) The State Department of Social Services shall ensure that its Disability Evaluation Division (DED) expedites the disability evaluations for applicants and recipients of aid under this chapter by utilizing its existing case records sharing procedures to ensure that information from previous DED evaluations for the Medi-Cal program are shared expeditiously with the federal component of the division that is adjudicating the SSI disability application.

(d) The State Department of Social Services shall reimburse counties for legal fees incurred by attorneys or other authorized representatives during the appeals phase of the SSI application process only when the county demonstrates that the legal representative successfully secures approval of SSI benefits. The legal fees for each case shall not exceed twice the difference between the maximum monthly individual payment under this chapter and the maximum monthly SSP payment.

(e) The department shall report to the Legislature, by July 1, 2007, on the outcomes of county SSI advocacy programs, including the numbers of cases that transitioned to SSI and the amount of savings realized through the transfers.

(f) Subdivisions (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2011.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 759, Sec. 37. Effective September 30, 2008. Subds. (b) to (e) are inoperative July 1, 2011, by subd. (f).)


text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who naturalizes while receiving benefits under this article, who remains otherwise eligible for benefits under this article, and who applies for federally funded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and fully cooperates in the application and administrative appeal process of the Social Security Administration, shall continue to receive benefits under this article until the individual receives SSI benefits or has exhausted all appeals for their initial federal SSI application. A recipient shall not be entitled to receive duplicate payments for any month.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 177, Sec. 40. Effective August 24, 2007.)


text:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the federal and state laws and regulations governing the SSI/SSP program shall also govern the program provided for under this chapter.

(b) Federal deeming rules and exemptions governing the SSI/SSP program, including all federal and state laws and regulations designed to protect SSI/SSP recipients and their resources, shall also govern the program provided for under this chapter, except that for immigrants described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 18938 who do not meet exemptions from deeming, the period for deeming of a sponsor’s income and resources shall be 10 years from the date of the sponsor’s execution of the affidavit of support or the date of the immigrant’s arrival in the United States, whichever is later.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, immigrants who are victims of abuse by their sponsor or sponsor’s spouse shall be exempt from deeming. Abuse shall be defined in the same manner as provided in Section 11495.1 and Section 11495.12. A sworn statement of abuse by a victim, or the representative of the victim if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient to establish abuse if one or more additional items of evidence of abuse is also provided. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(2) Documentation from a domestic violence program, or from a legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse.

(3) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(4) Physical evidence of abuse.

(5) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county makes a determination documented in writing in the case file that the applicant is credible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 111, Sec. 54. Effective July 30, 2001.)


text: Benefits provided under this chapter shall be equivalent to the benefits provided under the SSI/SSP program, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3. The benefit amount implemented by the act that added this section shall be retroactive to June 1, 2019.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 27, Sec. 123. (SB 80) Effective June 27, 2019.)


text: The department shall reimburse the counties for the cost of actual payments made pursuant to this chapter and for the administrative costs actually attributable to those payments. Any appropriation for this chapter may be transferred to pay for the costs of a contract entered into with the federal government to administer this chapter.


text:
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 1340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, through June 30, 1999, the State Department of Social Services may implement the applicable provisions of this chapter through all county letter or similar instructions from the director.

(b) The director shall adopt regulations, as otherwise necessary, to implement the applicable provisions of this chapter no later than July 1, 1999. Emergency regulations to implement the applicable provisions of this chapter may be adopted by the director in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The adoption of emergency regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare.

(c) Emergency regulations shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days.


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate funds in the Budget Act for the purpose of providing services under this chapter.

(b) This chapter shall become operative on:

(1) October 1, 1998, for those individuals who are eligible for aid under this chapter and are discontinued from the SSI/SSP program effective with their September 1998 benefits as a result of their immigration status under Title IV of Public Law 104-193 and any subsequent amendments thereto. Until the counties begin full operation the department shall cause a payment to each individual or couple to be issued through the Controller so that there is no interruption in these individual’s receipt of aid to which they are eligible under this chapter.

(2) November 1, 1998, for applicants for this program to have their applications accepted by county welfare departments, and establish a beginning date of aid. Counties shall have the ability to make eligibility determinations and cause the issuance of payments no later than December 1, 1998, unless the federal government has agreed to provide the services under this chapter at an earlier date.

(c) This chapter shall be implemented only during any period that federal benefits are provided under Section 1612(a) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 147, Sec. 43.5. Effective July 22, 1999.)


text:
(a) Noncitizen victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, as defined in subdivision (b), shall be eligible for public social services under this division, and health care services under Part 6.2 (commencing with Section 12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code, to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the United States as refugees under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code. These services shall discontinue if there is a final administrative denial of a visa application under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii), or Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii), of Title 8 of the United States Code. For trafficking victims on behalf of whom law enforcement officials have not yet filed for continued presence or who have not yet filed an application for a visa, benefits issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be available for up to one year, and shall continue after that date only if an application for continued presence, or an application for a visa, is filed within the one-year period. Benefits and services under this subdivision shall be paid from state funds to the extent federal funding is unavailable.

(b) For purposes of this section, victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes shall be defined to include both of the following:

(1) Noncitizen victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, who have been subjected to an act or practice described in Section 7102(8) or (9) of Title 22 of the United States Code or Section 236.1 of the Penal Code, and who have filed an I-914 application for T Nonimmigrant status with the appropriate federal agency, are preparing to file an application for status under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii) of Title 8 of the United States Code, or otherwise are taking steps to meet the conditions for federal benefits eligibility under Section 7105 of Title 22 of the United States Code.

(2) Individuals who have filed a formal application with the appropriate federal agency for status under Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(c) After one year from the date of application for public social services, noncitizen victims of a severe form of trafficking, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), shall be ineligible for state-funded services if a visa application has not been filed until under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(d) A noncitizen victim of a severe form of trafficking, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), who is issued a visa shall be removed from the state-funded program and provided federally funded public social services benefits under the provisions of Section 1522 of Title 8 of the United States Code, or another federal program for which the noncitizen victim may be eligible.

(e) For purposes of this section, Section 13283 and Section 14005.2:

(1) In determining whether an applicant for public social services has been a victim of a severe form of human trafficking, as defined in Section 7102(8) or (9) of Title 22 of the United States Code, or Section 236.1 of the Penal Code, the state or local agency shall consider all relevant and credible evidence. A sworn statement by a victim, or a representative if the victim is not able to competently swear, shall be sufficient if at least one item of additional evidence is also provided, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(A) Police, government agency, or court records or files.

(B) News articles.

(C) Documentation from a social services, trafficking, or domestic violence program, or a legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with the crime.

(D) A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim.

(E) Physical evidence.

(F) A copy of a completed visa application.

(G) Written notice from the federal agency of receipt of the visa application.

(2) If the victim cannot provide additional evidence, then the sworn statement shall be sufficient if the county or state agency makes a determination documented in the case file that the applicant is credible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 130, Sec. 258. Effective January 1, 2008.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 10.4. Services and Benefits for Noncitizen Victims of Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Other Serious Crimes


text: The Legislature finds and declares that child abuse is a growing concern in this state, and that current methods of coping with child abuse problems are resulting in family breakups that are both expensive and nonproductive to the state. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for the establishment of a State Office of Child Abuse Prevention to plan, improve, develop, and carry out programs and activities relating to the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 756, Sec. 1.)

article: 1. General

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 11. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention > 1. General


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Current mandatory reporting laws have resulted in a significant increase in the number of reports made with no corresponding evidence that children are safer.

(2) The harm and trauma of unnecessary reporting falls disproportionately on Black/African American and Native American/Indigenous children and families.

(3) Therefore, to eliminate the disproportionate surveillance and reporting of Black/African American, Native American/Indigenous, and Latino families and communities, thereby leading to an environment of antiracism in support of all children and families, it is the intent of the Legislature that training be fully implemented regarding the definition of general neglect, as defined in Section 11165.2 of the Penal Code, and that investigations of general neglect by child welfare agencies as referred by mandated reporters emphasize community-based supports and family preservation services to reduce disparities and disproportionality in the child welfare system.

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to clarify statutes to allow for the sharing of information across agencies through a multidisciplinary team approach to serve children and families to prevent foster care entry.

(b) The department, through the State Office of Child Abuse Prevention, with participation of individuals with lived expertise, county child welfare agencies, and other stakeholders, shall, by no later than July 1, 2027, develop a standardized curriculum for mandated reporters. The curriculum shall reflect the intent of the Legislature in subdivision (a) and shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) History of mandated reporting laws, including the impact of structural racism resulting in a disproportionate number of Black and Indigenous families involved in the child welfare services system.

(2) The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

(3) California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.

(4) The federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.).

(5) Best practice for defining “reasonable suspicion” and “substantial risk.”

(6) Differences between “severe neglect” and “general neglect” as defined in Section 11165.2 of the Penal Code.

(7) California child abuse, neglect, and disproportionality data.

(8) Definitions of “bias,” including “implicit,” and “explicit,” bias, and “trauma,” the impact of bias and trauma on families and children, and strategies for recognizing and mitigating their impact.

(9) The impact on families of making a child abuse or neglect report to child protective services.

(10) Considerations for special populations, including individuals with disabilities, behavioral health, domestic violence, and substance use concerns, as well as the unique factors involved in supporting children 0 to 5 years of age.

(11) Decisionmaking processes and tools for mandated reporters, including case examples of general neglect and severe neglect as those terms are defined in Section 11165.2 of the Penal Code.

(12) Education and information on community resources, community-based organizations, and other government agencies that can provide support to families in need, including information about basic aid programs like the CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and CalFresh programs.

(c) (1) The department shall make the training described in this section available on an internet website.

(2) The department may contract for the development, maintenance, and online hosting of the training described in this section.

(3) The department may charge an appropriate fee to offset the cost of generating individual completion certificates for the training described in this section and maintaining a verification system for such certificates. This paragraph shall not apply to any other child abuse mandated reporter training the department is otherwise required by law to provide free of cost, including the child abuse mandated reporter training described in Section 1596.8662 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts entered into or amended by the department for purposes of this section, including, but not limited to, developing and providing mandated reporter training and education, improving mandated reporter policies, practices, and public awareness, and strengthening pathways to community supports, shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the personal services contracting requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the Public Contract Code, and the State Contracting Manual, and shall not be subject to the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.

(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an employer having one or more mandated reporters, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 11165.7 of the Penal Code, shall strongly encourage completion of training by their mandated reporters using the curriculum set forth in subdivision (b) within the first three months of their employment, or on or before March 1, 2030, whichever is later.

(2) The training under this subdivision shall not apply to either of the following:

(A) A volunteer whose duties require direct contact with and supervision of children, as described in subdivision (g) of Section 11165.7 of the Penal Code.

(B) A mandated reporter listed in Section 11165.7 of the Penal Code who is otherwise required by law to receive training in child abuse and neglect identification and reporting.

(e) For the purposes of this chapter, “California child abuse, neglect, and disproportionality data” means data documented by the California Child Welfare Indicators Project.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 79, Sec. 34. (SB 119) Effective July 29, 2025.)

chapter: 11. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention

article: 1. General


text: For the purposes of this chapter, a child receiving treatment by spiritual means as provided in Section 16508 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall not for that reason alone be considered an abused or neglected child.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1334.)

article: 1. General


text:
As used in this chapter:

(a) “Child” means an individual under 18 years of age.

(b) “Child services” means services for or on behalf of children, and includes the following:

(1) Protective services.

(2) Caretaker services.

(3) Daycare services, including dropoff care.

(4) Homemaker services or family aides.

(5) Counseling services.

(c) “Adult services” means services for or on behalf of a parent of a child, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Access to voluntary placement, long or short term.

(2) Counseling services before and after a crisis.

(3) Homemaker services or family aides.

(d) “Multidisciplinary personnel” means a team of three or more people who are trained in the prevention, identification, management, or treatment of child abuse or neglect cases and who are qualified to provide a broad range of services related to child abuse or neglect. The team may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following:

(1) Psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, or other trained counseling personnel.

(2) Police officers or other law enforcement agents.

(3) Medical personnel with sufficient training to provide health services.

(4) Social workers with experience or training in child abuse prevention, identification, management, or treatment.

(5) A public or private school teacher, administrative officer, supervisor of child welfare and attendance, or certificated pupil personnel employee.

(6) A CalWORKs case manager whose primary responsibility is to provide cross program case planning and coordination of CalWORKs and child welfare services for those mutual cases or families that may be eligible for CalWORKs services and that, with the informed written consent of the family, receive cross program case planning and coordination.

(7) A representative of a local child abuse prevention council or family-strengthening organization, including, but not limited to, a family resource center.

(8) Adult protective services personnel.

(e) “Child abuse” as used in this chapter means a situation in which a child suffers from any one or more of the following:

(1) Serious physical injury inflicted upon the child by other than accidental means.

(2) Harm by reason of intentional neglect or malnutrition or sexual abuse.

(3) Going without necessary and basic physical care.

(4) Willful mental injury, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by a person who is responsible for the child’s welfare under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Director of Social Services.

(5) Any condition that results in a violation of the rights or physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child or jeopardizes the child’s present or future health, opportunity for normal development, or capacity for independence.

(f) “Parent” means a person who exercises care, custody, and control of the child as established by law.

(g) “Family resource center” means an entity providing family-centered and family-strengthening services that are embedded in communities, culturally sensitive, and include cross-system collaboration to assist in transforming families and communities through reciprocity and asset development based on impact-driven and evidence-informed approaches with the goal of preventing child abuse and neglect and strengthening children and families. A family resource center may be located in, or administered by, different entities, including, but not limited to, a local educational agency, a community resource center, or a neighborhood resource center.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 506, Sec. 3. (SB 1054) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 2. Definitions

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 11. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention > 2. Definitions


text: There is hereby established in the State Department of Social Services an Office of Child Abuse Prevention which shall be administered by a chief who is subject to civil service rules and regulations and has recognized training and experience in child abuse prevention.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 1149, Sec. 3.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 11. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention > 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text: The office shall employ such personnel as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, subject to civil service rules and regulations.

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text: The Office of Child Abuse Prevention may fund the various programs established pursuant to this chapter, Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 18975), and Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 18980) by means of grants rather than contracts. The grants shall not be subject to the review specified in Section 10295 of the Public Contract Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 756, Sec. 3.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text: The Office of Child Abuse Prevention may renew grants not to exceed three years in duration on condition that the grant is reviewed annually and the grantee is found to be satisfactorily meeting the grant objectives.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1638, Sec. 2. Effective September 30, 1984.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text: In the exercise of its authority under Section 18954 the office shall develop plans to fulfill the requirements of any federal act providing for the establishment and maintenance of pilot projects for the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse to facilitate the receipt and allocation of federal funds for planning, research, demonstration and special project grants. The office shall submit its recommendations concerning applications for federal funds to the California Health and Human Services Agency to be forwarded to the appropriate federal agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 97. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text: It is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of Child Abuse Prevention shall make every attempt to qualify projects implemented pursuant to this chapter for federal funding. To that extent, should any provisions of this chapter prevent federal funding for projects implemented pursuant to this chapter, those provisions of this chapter shall be rendered inoperative.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 756, Sec. 5. Note: This section prescribes conditions for inoperation of described provisions in Chapter 11, commencing with Section 18950.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text:
The Office of Child Abuse Prevention shall apply for federal funding for the administration of its functions under this chapter. The office shall use these funds to do all of the following:

(a) Provide technical assistance, either directly or through grant or contract pursuant to Section 16304 of the Government Code, to public and private agencies and organizations to assist them in planning, improving, developing, and carrying out programs and activities relating to the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

(b) Compile training materials for personnel who are engaged or intend to engage in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

(c) Assist and provide funds for the coordination of child abuse prevention programs.

(d) Develop and establish other innovation programs in child abuse prevention where the office finds a need for the programs.

(e) Conduct research and collect data relevant to the determination of the effectiveness of child abuse prevention programs.

(f) Support coordination and sharing of best practices implemented by family resource centers with other agencies, when the best practices reflect strategies and outcomes that were achieved and supported by evidence-informed programs and data.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 476, Sec. 3. (SB 436) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 3. Office of Child Abuse Prevention


text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention programs be encouraged by the funding of agencies addressing needs of children at high risk of abuse or neglect and their families.

(b) All funds expended by a county for activities under this section shall be expended by the county in a manner that will maximize eligibility for federal financial participation.

(c) Priority shall be given to prevention programs through nonprofit agencies, including, where appropriate, programs that identify and provide services to isolated families, particularly those with children five years of age or younger, high quality home visiting programs based on research-based models of best practice, and services to child victims of crime.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 35, Sec. 149. (SB 1013) Effective June 27, 2012.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 11. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention > 4. Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Projects


text:
(a) Projects and services funded pursuant to this article shall be selected using the following criteria:

(1) Priority shall be given to private, nonprofit agencies with programs that serve the needs of children at risk of abuse or neglect and that have demonstrated effectiveness in prevention or intervention.

(2) Agencies shall be eligible for funding provided that evidence is submitted that the proposed services are not duplicated in the community, are based on needs of children at risk, and are supported by a local public agency, including, but not limited to, one of the following:

(A) The county welfare department.

(B) A public law enforcement agency.

(C) The county probation department.

(D) The county board of supervisors.

(E) The county public health department.

(F) The county mental health department.

(G) The school district.

(3) Services provided shall be culturally and linguistically appropriate to the populations served.

(4) Services may include, but need not be limited to, day care, respite services, transportation, mental health services, services provided through home visiting programs, parent education and support programs, domestic violence services, disability services, early developmental screening and assessment, and counseling services.

(5) Applicant agencies shall demonstrate the existence of a 10 percent cash or in-kind match that will support the goals of child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention.

(6) Funding shall be used to supplement, but not supplant, child welfare services authorized pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500) of Part 4.

(7) Priority for services shall be given to children who are at high risk, including children who are being served by the county welfare departments for being abused and neglected and other children who are referred for services by legal, medical, or social services agencies.

(8) Service to minority populations shall be reflected in the funding of projects.

(9) Projects and services shall clearly be related to the needs of children, especially those 14 years of age and under.

(b) In a county that has established a multidisciplinary council, the council shall be utilized to provide recommendations to the board of supervisors for the funding processes and priorities.

(c) Each county shall monitor the projects and services it funds.

(d) Beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 60, Sec. 1. (SB 602) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 4. Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Projects