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<ns0:Id>20250AB__276599INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>2765</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Ahrens</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ahrens</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Sections 11450, 18926, and 18926.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to nutrition assistance.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>nutrition assistance</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>CalFresh and CalWORKs: childhood hunger and foster youth.</ns0:Subject>
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<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing federal law establishes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing federal law limits a participant who is an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) to 3 months of CalFresh benefits in a 3-year period unless that participant has met work participation requirements or is otherwise exempt. Existing state law requires the State Department of Social Services to annually seek a federal waiver of this limitation. Existing state law requires the department to ensure that all recipients subject to the federal ABAWD time limit are permitted to meet the work requirements of the time limit through all forms of work, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing federal law, enacted on July 4, 2025, sets forth various changes to SNAP benefits, including the removal of an exemption from the time limit for certain former foster youth under 25 years of age, and the narrowing of an exemption for a household with a dependent under 18 years of age to instead a household with a dependent under 14 years of age, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would specify that an ABAWD participant includes a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child 14 years of age or older as a result of the above-described federal law. The bill would also require the department to seek a federal waiver to protect the most vulnerable foster youth from experiencing hunger as a result of the cuts to their assistance. The bill would require that the waiver request that specified categories of foster youth be exempted from any cuts to their SNAP benefits as a result of the new SNAP time
limit for this population.</html:p>
<html:p>The bill would require the department to issue an all-county letter to implement the waiver within 3 months after receiving approval and, to the extent allowable under federal law, to instruct counties of steps that they would be authorized to take to maximize the ability of foster youth participating in any of specified programs to be automatically deemed exempt from, or in compliance with, the time limit.</html:p>
<html:p>To the extent that the bill would increase CalFresh eligibility for certain foster youth and expand county duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which, through a combination of federal, state, and county funds, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families.</html:p>
<html:p>Under existing law, in addition to specified CalWORKs aid amounts, a family is entitled to receive an allowance for recurring special needs relating to, among other things, food, utilities, and transportation. Under existing law, the allowance for each family per month is prohibited from exceeding that amount resulting from multiplying the sum of $10 by the number of recipients in the family who are eligible for assistance.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would increase the maximum threshold for the allowance by switching the factor from $10 to $15 within the formula. The bill would, subject to the department’s discretion, authorize the allowance to be provided instead in the form of a food benefit of equivalent value.</html:p>
<html:p>The bill would, subject to the department’s discretion to establish a mechanism, authorize a household that receives aid under any provision of the Welfare and Institutions Code and that is
also eligible for CalWORKs aid, regardless of whether the household receives CalWORKs aid, to receive a recurring special needs allowance in order to prevent immediate child suffering and long-term harm caused by prolonged periods of childhood hunger or other unmet needs, if unmitigated.</html:p>
<html:p>By creating new duties for counties relating to the recurring special needs allowance, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would instead provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of the bill.</html:p>
<html:p>The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions
establish procedures for making that reimbursement.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
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<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>YES</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_560DD2D0-A09C-4BA6-B71E-DF0050962D49">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Federal House Resolution 1 (Public Law 119-21), known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was passed on a partisan vote with all but two Republicans in the United States House of Representatives and three Republicans in the United States Senate voting “Yea” and all Democrats voting “Nay,” made the largest cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, in history.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
HR 1 made these cuts to help fund the largest tax cuts for wealthy corporations and individuals in history.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
These cuts
are currently being enacted during a period of significant food inflation, caused in part by raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigrant farmworkers and trade tariffs levied unilaterally by President Donald J. Trump.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Among these cuts were cuts to food assistance for foster youth and families with children.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
According to HR 1, the cuts to foster youth and families with dependent children are generally applied if the household fails to show proof of adequate work for adults in the household between 18 and 64 years of age, inclusive, despite the fact that there is no evidence that people are more able to find and keep work if they are experiencing hunger or their children are experiencing hunger.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature refuses to comply with the deception of HR 1, which
dishonestly designated these new benefit cuts to families with children to be implemented under the “Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)” policy. The Legislature therefore plans to amend state law to accurately account for the harm caused to families with children as a result of the new federal law.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature declares that no one should experience hunger, especially not children and not foster youth transitioning to adulthood.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature recognizes the significant and long-term harm that can be caused by hunger experienced by children and young adults, especially those who experienced other traumas as a child, such as those known to have been experienced by foster youth.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature encourages all efforts to reduce the number of children and foster youth harmed by this cruel new
federal policy.
</html:p>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_BC65009F-DA84-40BC-8157-9D88F3E0D650">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 11450 of the
<ns0:DocName>Welfare and Institutions Code</ns0:DocName>
, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 798 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_A18D1A59-8B73-467F-9B8C-964086A7015D">
<ns0:Num>11450.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4F5C0001-FE1D-4DA0-AFAC-997D3D37776E">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Aid shall be paid for each needy family, which shall include all eligible children of each eligible applicant or recipient child and the parents of the children, but shall not include a fetus, or recipients of aid under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000), qualified for aid under this chapter. In determining the amount of aid paid, and notwithstanding the minimum basic standards of adequate care specified in Section 11452, the family’s income, exclusive of any amounts considered exempt as income or paid pursuant to subdivision (e) or Section 11453.1, determined for the prospective semiannual period pursuant to Sections 11265.1, 11265.2, and 11265.3, and then calculated pursuant to Section 11451.5, shall be deducted from the sum specified in the following table, as
adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 and paragraph (2). In no case shall the amount of aid paid for each month exceed the sum specified in the following table, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 and paragraph (2), plus any special needs, as specified in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f):
</html:p>
<html:table id="id_39DF13FF-95F3-4D39-ACC3-FA86C724ECFD">
<html:colgroup>
<html:col width="319.0"/>
<html:col width="96.0"/>
</html:colgroup>
<html:thead>
<html:tr>
<html:th>
<html:p class="HeaderLeft" style="font-size:9pt; text-align:left; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
Number of
<html:br/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
eligible needy
<html:br/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
persons in
<html:br/>
the same home
</html:p>
</html:th>
<html:th valign="bottom">
<html:p class="HeaderCentered" style="font-size:9pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
Maximum
<html:br/>
aid
</html:p>
</html:th>
</html:tr>
</html:thead>
<html:tbody>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
$
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
326
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
2
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
535
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
3
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
663
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
4
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
788
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
5
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
899
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
6
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1,010
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
7
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1,109
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
8
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1,209
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
9
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1,306
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
<html:tr>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Left10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:left; ; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
<html:span class="EmSpace"/>
10 or more
<html:span class="DottedLeaders"/>
</html:p>
</html:td>
<html:td>
<html:p class="Center10Point" style="font-size:10pt; text-align:center; text-indent:0pt;">
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
1,403
</html:p>
</html:td>
</html:tr>
</html:tbody>
</html:table>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If, when, and during those times that the United States government increases or decreases its contributions in assistance of needy children in this state above or below the amount paid on July 1, 1972, the amounts specified in the above table shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that increase or decrease by the United States government, provided that no increase or decrease shall be subject to subsequent adjustment pursuant to Section 11453.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The sums specified in paragraph (1) shall not be adjusted for cost of living for the 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1997–98 fiscal years, and through October 31, 1998, nor shall that amount be included in the base for calculating any cost-of-living increases for any fiscal year thereafter. Elimination of the cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the requirements of former Section 11453.05, and no further reduction shall be made pursuant to that section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Until the date that paragraph (2) is effective, if the family does not include a needy child qualified for aid under this chapter, aid shall be paid to a pregnant child who is 18 years of age or younger at any time after verification of pregnancy, in the amount that would otherwise be paid to one person, as
specified in subdivision (a), if the pregnant child and the child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. Verification of pregnancy shall be required as a condition of eligibility for aid under this paragraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), and until the date that paragraph (2) is effective, if the family does not include a needy child qualified for aid under this chapter, aid shall be paid to a pregnant person for the month in which the birth is anticipated and for the six-month period immediately prior to the month in which the birth is anticipated, in the amount that would otherwise be paid to one person, as specified in subdivision (a), if the pregnant person and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. Verification of pregnancy is required as a condition of eligibility for aid under this paragraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the family does not include a needy child qualified for aid under this chapter, aid shall be paid to a pregnant person as of the date of the application for aid, in the amount that would otherwise be paid to one person, as specified in subdivision (a), if the pregnant person or the child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. Verification of pregnancy shall be required as a condition of eligibility for aid under this paragraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A pregnant person may provide verification of pregnancy as required in subparagraph (A) by means of a sworn statement or, if necessary, a verbal attestation. Medical verification of pregnancy shall be submitted within 30 working days following submission of the sworn statement or verbal attestation for benefits to continue. If the applicant fails to submit medical verification of pregnancy within 30 working days, the county human services agency
shall continue aid when the applicant presents evidence of good faith efforts to comply with this requirement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A person who receives aid pursuant to this paragraph shall report to the county, orally or in writing, within 30 days following the end of their pregnancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Aid for persons under this paragraph shall discontinue at the end of the month following the month in which the person reports the end of their pregnancy to the county human services agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Prior to discontinuing aid for a person under this paragraph due to the end of their pregnancy, the county human services agency shall provide information about, and referral to, mental health services, including, but not limited to, services provided by the county human services agency, when appropriate.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This paragraph shall take effect on July 1, 2022, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this paragraph, whichever date is later.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The amount of forty-seven dollars ($47) per month shall be paid to a pregnant person qualified for aid under subdivision (a) or (b) to meet the special needs resulting from pregnancy if the pregnant person and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. The county human services agency shall require a pregnant person to provide medical verification of pregnancy. The county human services agency shall refer all recipients of aid under this subdivision to a local provider of the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and perinatal home
visiting services administered by the county public health agency, county human services agency, or applicable county home visiting provider. If that payment to a pregnant person qualified for aid under subdivision (a) is considered income under federal law in the first five months of pregnancy, payments under this subdivision do not apply to a person eligible under subdivision (a), except for the month in which birth is anticipated and for the three-month period immediately prior to the month in which delivery is anticipated, if the pregnant person and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A pregnant person may provide the verification of pregnancy required by paragraph (1) by means of a sworn statement or, if necessary, a verbal attestation. Medical verification of pregnancy shall be submitted within 30 working days following submission of the sworn statement or verbal attestation for the pregnancy special need
benefit to continue. If the pregnant person fails to submit medical verification of pregnancy within 30 working days, the county human services agency shall continue the benefit when the applicant presents evidence of good faith efforts to comply with this requirement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning May 1, 2022, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this paragraph, the special needs payment described in paragraph (1) shall be one hundred dollars ($100) per month.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning July 1, 2022, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this paragraph, the special needs payment described in this subdivision shall discontinue at the end of the month
following the month in which a person reports the end of their pregnancy to the county human services agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For children receiving AFDC-FC under this chapter, there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month that, if added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Section 11460, 11461, 11462, or 11463. In addition, the child is eligible for special needs, as specified in departmental regulations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In addition to the amounts payable under subdivision (a) and former Section 11453.1, a family is entitled to receive an allowance for recurring special needs not common to a majority of recipients. These recurring special needs include, but are not limited to, special diets upon
the recommendation of a physician for circumstances other than pregnancy, and unusual costs of transportation, laundry, housekeeping services, telephone, and utilities. The recurring special needs allowance for each family per month shall not exceed that amount resulting from multiplying the sum of fifteen dollars ($15) by the number of recipients in the family who are eligible for assistance.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Subject to the department’s discretion to establish a mechanism implementing this paragraph, a household that receives aid under any provision of the Welfare and Institutions Code and that is also eligible for aid under this chapter, regardless of whether the
household receives aid under this chapter, may receive a recurring special needs allowance, as described in paragraph (1), in order to prevent immediate child suffering and long-term harm caused by prolonged periods of childhood hunger or other unmet needs that will result from federal House Resolution 1 (Public Law 119-21), signed by United States President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025, if unmitigated.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Subject to the department’s discretion to establish a mechanism implementing this paragraph, the recurring special needs allowance described in paragraph (1) or (2) may be provided instead in the form of a food benefit that is equivalent in value to the allowance described in paragraph (1) or (2).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
After a family has used all available liquid resources, both exempt and nonexempt, in excess of one hundred dollars ($100),
with the exception of funds deposited in a restricted account described in subdivision (a) of Section 11155.2, the family is also entitled to receive an allowance for nonrecurring special needs. This paragraph does not apply to the allowance for nonrecurring special needs for homeless assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An allowance for nonrecurring special needs shall be granted for replacement of clothing and household equipment and for emergency housing needs other than those needs addressed by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3). These needs shall be caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the needy family. The department shall establish the allowance for each of the nonrecurring special needs items. The sum of all nonrecurring special needs provided by this subdivision shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600) per event.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An allowance for nonrecurring special needs for homeless assistance is available to a family that is homeless and seeking shelter when the family is eligible for aid under this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Homeless assistance for temporary shelter is also available to families that are homeless and seeking shelter that are apparently eligible for aid under this chapter. Apparent eligibility exists when evidence presented by the applicant, or that is otherwise available to the county human services agency, and the information provided on the application documents indicate that there would be eligibility for aid under this chapter if the evidence and information were verified. However, a noncitizen applicant who does not provide verification of their eligible immigrant status, or a person with no eligible children who does not provide verification of their pregnancy,
is not apparently eligible for purposes of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(II)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A pregnant person may provide verification of pregnancy, as required in subclause (I), by means of a sworn statement or, if necessary, a verbal attestation. Medical verification of pregnancy shall be submitted within 30 working days following submission of the sworn statement or verbal attestation for benefits to continue. If the applicant fails to submit medical verification of pregnancy within 30 working days, the county human services agency shall continue aid when the applicant presents evidence of good faith efforts to comply with this requirement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Homeless assistance for temporary shelter is also available to families that are homeless and seeking shelter that would be eligible for aid under this chapter but for the fact that the only child or children in the family are in out-of-home placement pursuant to
an order of the dependency court, if the family is receiving reunification services and the county determines that homeless assistance is necessary for reunification to occur.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A family is considered homeless, for the purpose of this section, when the family lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence, the family has a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, or the family is residing in a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A family is also considered homeless for the purpose of this section if the family has received a notice to pay rent or quit, or any notice that could lead to an eviction, regardless of the circumstances cited in the notice.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonrecurring special needs benefit of eighty-five dollars ($85) a day shall be available to families of up to four members for the costs of temporary shelter, subject to the requirements of this paragraph. The fifth and additional members of the family shall each receive fifteen dollars ($15) per day, up to a daily maximum of one hundred forty-five dollars ($145). County human services agencies may increase the daily amount available for temporary shelter as necessary to secure the additional bedspace needed by the family.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This special needs benefit shall be granted or denied the same day as the family’s application for homeless assistance, and benefits shall be available for up to three working days. Upon applying for homeless assistance, the family shall provide a sworn statement that the family is homeless. If the family meets the criteria of questionable homelessness, which means that there is reason to suspect that
the family has permanent housing, the county human services agency shall refer the family to its early fraud prevention and detection unit, if the county has such a unit, for assistance in the verification of homelessness within this period.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
After homelessness has been verified, the three-day limit shall be extended for a period of time that, when added to the initial benefits provided, does not exceed a total of 16 calendar days. This extension of benefits shall be done in increments of one week, and shall be based upon searching for permanent housing, which shall be documented on a housing search form, good cause, or other circumstances defined by the department. Documentation of a housing search is required for the initial extension of benefits beyond the three-day limit and on a weekly basis thereafter if the family is receiving temporary shelter benefits. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to, situations in which the county
human services agency has determined that the family, to the extent it is capable, has made a good faith but unsuccessful effort to secure permanent housing while receiving temporary shelter benefits or that the family is homeless as a direct and primary result of a state or federally declared disaster.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iv)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding clauses (ii) and (iii), the county may waive the three-day limit and may provide benefits in increments of more than one week for a family that becomes homeless as a direct and primary result of a state or federally declared disaster.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonrecurring special needs benefit for permanent housing assistance is available to pay for last month’s rent and security deposits if these payments are conditions of securing a residence, or to pay for up to two months of rent arrearages, if these payments are a reasonable condition of preventing
eviction.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The last month’s rent or monthly arrearage portion of the payment shall meet both of the following requirements:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(ia)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It shall not exceed 80 percent of the family’s total monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs benefit for a family of that size.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ib)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning January 1, 2026, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this paragraph, whichever date is later, and for purposes of this subparagraph, the county human services agency shall include in the calculation of the family’s total monthly household income any amount that is regularly received or will be regularly received from other government and nonprofit
housing and homeless subsidy programs and any regularly received private support intended or designed to help the family with housing, such as financial support from an individual outside the household. The additional sources of income described in the previous sentence shall not be included in the calculation of the family’s income for purposes of calculating the amount of aid paid pursuant to subdivision (a).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(II)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(ia)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It shall only be made to families that have found permanent housing costing no more than 80 percent of the family’s total monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs benefit for a family of that size.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ib)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning January 1, 2026, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this
paragraph, whichever date is later, and for purposes of this subparagraph, the county human services agency shall include in the calculation of the family’s total monthly household income any amount that is regularly received or will be regularly received from other government and nonprofit housing and homeless subsidy programs and any regularly received private support intended or designed to help the family with housing, such as financial support from an individual outside the household. The additional sources of income described in the previous sentence shall not be included in the calculation of the family’s income for purposes of calculating the amount of aid paid pursuant to subdivision (a).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
However, if the county human services agency determines that a family intends to reside with individuals who will be sharing housing costs, the county human services agency shall, in appropriate circumstances, set aside the condition specified
in subclause (II) of clause (ii).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The nonrecurring special needs benefit for permanent housing assistance is also available to cover the standard costs of deposits for utilities that are necessary for the health and safety of the family.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A payment for, or denial of, permanent housing assistance shall be issued no later than one working day from the time that a family presents evidence of the availability of permanent housing. If an applicant family provides evidence of the availability of permanent housing before the county human services agency has established eligibility for aid under this chapter, the county human services agency shall complete the eligibility determination so that the payment for, or denial of, permanent housing assistance is issued within one working day from the submission of evidence of the availability of permanent housing, unless the family has
failed to provide all of the verification necessary to establish eligibility for aid under this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), eligibility for the temporary shelter assistance and the permanent housing assistance pursuant to this paragraph is limited to the number of days allowable under subparagraph (A) for temporary shelter assistance and one payment of permanent housing assistance every 12 months. A person who applies for homeless assistance benefits shall be informed that, with certain exceptions, the temporary shelter benefit is limited to the number of days allowable under subparagraph (A) for the 12-month period.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A family that becomes homeless as a direct and primary result of a state or federally declared disaster is eligible for homeless assistance.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(II)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If there is a state or federally declared disaster in a county, the county human services agency shall coordinate with public and private disaster response organizations and agencies to identify and inform recipients of their eligibility for homeless assistance available pursuant to subclause (H).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A family is eligible for homeless assistance if homelessness is a direct result of domestic violence by a spouse, partner, or roommate, including, but not limited to, a parent or child with whom they were living; physical or mental illness that is medically verified that shall not include a diagnosis of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychological stress; or the uninhabitability of the former residence caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the family, including natural catastrophe, fire, or condemnation. These circumstances shall be verified by a
third-party governmental or private health and human services agency, except that domestic violence may also be verified by a sworn statement by the victim, as provided under Section 11495.25. Homeless assistance payments based on these specific circumstances may not be received more often than once in any 12-month period. In addition, if the domestic violence is verified by a sworn statement by the victim, the homeless assistance payments shall be limited to two periods of not more than 16 cumulative calendar days of temporary shelter assistance and two payments of permanent housing assistance. A county may require that a recipient of homeless assistance benefits who qualifies under this paragraph for a second time in a 24-month period participate in a homelessness avoidance case plan as a condition of eligibility for homeless assistance benefits, but only if the county has also provided a housing navigation caseworker who can assist with securing permanent housing and housing case management services. The
county human services agency shall immediately inform recipients who verify domestic violence by a sworn statement of the availability of domestic violence counseling and services, and refer those recipients to services upon request.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iv)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If a county requires a recipient who verifies domestic violence by a sworn statement to participate in a homelessness avoidance case plan pursuant to clause (iii), the plan shall include the provision of domestic violence services, if appropriate.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(v)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If a recipient seeking homeless assistance based on domestic violence pursuant to clause (iii) has previously received homeless avoidance services based on domestic violence, the county shall review whether services were offered to the recipient and consider what additional services would assist the recipient in leaving the domestic violence situation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(vi)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The county human services agency shall report necessary data to the department through a statewide homeless assistance payment indicator system, as requested by the department, regarding all recipients of aid under this paragraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Payments to providers for temporary shelter and permanent housing and utilities shall be made on behalf of families requesting these payments.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The daily amount for the temporary shelter special needs benefit for homeless assistance may be increased if authorized by the current year’s Budget Act by specifying a different daily allowance and appropriating the funds therefor.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(H)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A payment shall not be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the provider of housing is any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A commercial establishment.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A shelter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A person with whom, or an establishment with which, the family requesting assistance has executed a valid lease, sublease, or shared housing agreement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A CalWORKs applicant who provides a sworn statement of past or present domestic abuse and who is fleeing their abuser is deemed to be homeless and is eligible for temporary shelter assistance under clause (i) of subparagraph (A) and under subparagraph (E), notwithstanding any income and assets attributable to the alleged abuser.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The homeless assistance payments issued under this subparagraph shall be granted the same day as the family’s application, and
benefits shall be available in increments of 16 days of temporary shelter assistance pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (A). The homeless assistance payments shall be limited to two periods of not more than 16 cumulative calendar days each of temporary shelter assistance within the applicant’s lifetime. The second 16-day period shall continue to be available when the applicant becomes a CalWORKs recipient during the first 16-day period. The homeless assistance payments issued under this subparagraph shall be in addition to other payments for which the CalWORKs applicant, if the applicant becomes a CalWORKs recipient, may later qualify under this subdivision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this subparagraph, the housing search documentation described in clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be required only upon issuance of an immediate need payment pursuant to Section 11266 or the issuance of benefits for the month of application.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall establish rules and regulations ensuring the uniform statewide application of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall notify all applicants and recipients of aid through the standardized application form that these benefits are available and shall provide an opportunity for recipients to apply for the funds quickly and efficiently.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall work with county human services agencies, the County Welfare Directors Association of California, and advocates of CalWORKs recipients to gather information regarding the actual costs of a nightly shelter and best practices for transitioning families from a temporary shelter to permanent housing, and to provide that information to the Legislature, to be submitted annually in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(j)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Except for the purposes of Section 15200, the amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute part of the payment schedule set forth in subdivision (a).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute income to recipients of aid under this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(k)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For children receiving Kin-GAP pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385), there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month, which, when added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Sections 11364 and 11387.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(
<html:i>l</html:i>
)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A county shall implement the
semiannual reporting requirements in accordance with Chapter 501 of the Statutes of 2011 no later than October 1, 2013.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Upon completion of the implementation described in paragraph (1), each county shall provide a certificate to the director certifying that semiannual reporting has been implemented in the county.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Upon filing the certificate described in paragraph (2), a county shall comply with the semiannual reporting provisions of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(m)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
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 by means of all-county letters or similar instructions from the department
until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar written instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall adopt emergency regulations no later than 18 months following the completion of all necessary automation to implement this section. The department may readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, an emergency regulation previously adopted under this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The initial adoption of emergency regulations pursuant to this section and one readoption of emergency regulations shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. Initial emergency regulations and the 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.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(n)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024, or on the date the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, whichever date is later.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
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</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_2D9BBDB8-E875-4A10-9456-4D064F43630F">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 18926 of the
<ns0:DocName>Welfare and Institutions Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_69515DA4-E01C-49E3-A232-54619DBDBA23">
<ns0:Num>18926.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_54144CAE-4797-4D56-96F2-696EBA9DC7D9">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
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.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section, “ABAWD participant” includes a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent
child 14 years of age or older as a result of federal House Resolution 1 (Public Law 119-21), signed by United States President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All eligible counties shall be included in and bound by this waiver.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
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 timeframe following a request made by a county, and may seek any necessary information from the county to support the waiver
request.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_A0CEB789-093B-4226-9A45-B6CF290F5D1A">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:WIC:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'9.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'PART'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'6.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'10.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'18926.1.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 18926.1 of the
<ns0:DocName>Welfare and Institutions Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_89F3CED7-1F1F-4594-9AC0-649CE387213E">
<ns0:Num>18926.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_6482B2CD-C10E-4A5A-AD14-5D4BDBD4AC4F">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
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).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before January 1, 2018, the department, with input from the County Welfare Directors Association of California 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).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to protect the most vulnerable foster youth from experiencing hunger as a result of the cuts to their assistance resulting from federal House Resolution 1 (Public Law 119-21), signed by United States President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025. The waiver shall request that the following foster youth be exempted from any cuts to their SNAP benefits as a result of the new SNAP time limit for this population as set forth in Public Law 119-21:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster youth who have suffered from human trafficking or survivors of interpersonal
violence.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster youth who are known to the county to have already experienced prolonged periods of hunger as a child.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster youth who are homeless.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster youth who have a chronic disease or a disability.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster youth who have children.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall issue an all-county letter to implement the waiver within three months after receiving approval for the waiver submitted subject to paragraph (1) and, to the extent allowable under federal law and guidance or a waiver thereof, to instruct counties of steps that they may take to maximize the ability of foster youth participating in any of the following programs to be automatically deemed exempt from, or in
compliance with, the ABAWD time limit described in Section 18926:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Guardian Scholars Program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support (CAFYES), also known as NextUp.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Extended Foster Care.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_1A235D01-67CC-4E13-82DA-0EFC018978F5">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_CCD477C6-444E-49A7-A58A-E9D311246DF4">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.</html:p>
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