September 2, 2016

AB 1299 Heads to Governor’s Desk

After passing in both houses of the Legislature, AB 1299 by Assembly Member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is being sent to the Governor for his signature or veto. CSAC supports AB 1299, after nearly two years of working closely with the author and sponsors to arrive at a policy solution that will ensure timely mental health services for foster or probation youth with little or no state costs.

SB 1336 Heads to Governor After Recent Drama and Amendments

Despite some controversial last-minute amendments on SB 1336, by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, CSAC was able to work with the author and stakeholders to ensure that the version of SB 1336 that ultimately passed in both houses of the Legislature was not detrimental to counties. SB 1336 was originally proposed as a reworking of current law to strike references to the consideration of placing a child in foster care with relatives at the time of the next placement change, which raised both policy and workload concerns.

CSAC adopted a neutral position on SB 1336 in response to the August 4, 2016 amendments, which is discussed here. However, SB 1336 was subsequently amended on the Assembly Floor on August 19, 2916, in a way that again forced CSAC and other stakeholders to oppose the bill. Discussions with the author and stakeholders resulted in amendments that allowed CSAC and other stakeholders to withdraw their opposition. CSAC is neutral on SB 1336 as it heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature or veto.

HHS Bills Sent to Governor for Signature or Veto

As the Legislature approached its August 31 deadline to pass or hold legislation, several bills that CSAC is actively engaged with moved to the Governor’s desk for his signature or veto, including:

SB 947, by Senator Richard Pan, would modernize the CalWORKs application and ensure a more efficient process for families in need of CalWORKs benefits by allowing county human services agency or state hospital staff to conduct the required personal eligibility interview via telephone or electronically. CSAC supports this bill, which would bring CalWORKs in line with both CalFresh and Medi-Cal, both of which provide the option of telephone interviews.

SB 906, by Senator Jim Beall, would conform the definition of “foster youth or former foster youth” for purposes of this bill to the definition consistent with the California Chaffee Foster Youth Grant program and remove the sunset provision from the requirement (or request in the University of California’s case) that the California State University and community college districts grant priority registration enrollment for a foster youth of former foster youth. SB 906 would also remove the sunset provision on the extension of priority registration to Extended Opportunity Program and Services students and disabled students at California Community Colleges. CSAC supports this bill.

SB 1212, by Senator Ben Hueso, would authorize the California Public Utilities Commission to spend up to $1,500,000 to facilitate expansion of 2-1-1 services into counties that currently do not have 2-1-1 services.  CSAC supports this measure.

AB 2568, by Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins, would authorize San Diego County, upon approval of the county board of supervisors and the California Health and Human Services Agency, to operate an integrated and comprehensive health and human services agency.  CSAC supports this measure.