Bill Text: CA AB991 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 991 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Foster youth: independent living services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-08-31 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator McGuire. [AB991 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB991-Amended.html

Amended IN Assembly January 03, 2018

Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 991

Introduced by Assembly Member Reyes

February 16, 2017

An act to ~~amend Section 10609.3 of~~ add Section 10609.43 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to foster youth.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 991, as amended, Reyes. Foster youth: independent living services.

Existing federal law, the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, provides the state with federal funding to enable programs that, among other things, identify children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and help those children make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventive health activities. Existing law designates the State Department of Social Services as supervisor and administrator of public social services, including the Independent Living Program. Existing law declares the administration of public social services in each of the several counties of the state to be a county function, and in the case of public social services for which federal or state funds are provided, subject to the regulations of the department. Existing law requires the department, in consultation with county and state representatives, foster youth, and advocates, to develop statewide standards for the implementation and administration of the Independent Living Program. Existing law requires each county department of social services to submit an annual Independent Living Program report to the department, as specified.
This bill would require each county department of social services to publish information regarding all services offered to participants in the Independent Living Program in a manner that allows a program participant to effectively access and utilize those services, as specified. The bill would require each county department of social services to annually update that information. The bill would require the department to publish on its Internet Web site for the Independent Living Program direct links to the information published by each county described above. The bill would require the department to annually update those links. By increasing county responsibilities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
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.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, by January 1, 1995, to complete, in consultation with county Independent Living Program administrators, placement agencies, providers, advocacy groups, and community groups, a comprehensive evaluation of the Independent Living Program established pursuant to specified federal law and develop recommendations available to the public on how independent living services could better prepare foster youth for independence and adulthood.
~~This bill would require the department to complete the report by January 1, 2019, and would add California Youth Connection to the list of entities the department would be required to consult.~~

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOYES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 10609.43 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

10609.43.
(a) (1) Each county department of social services shall publish on the county’s Independent Living Program Internet Web site, or, if that Internet Web site does not exist, the county department of social services Internet Web site, information regarding all services offered to participants in the Independent Living Program in a manner that allows a participant to effectively access and utilize those services.
(2) The county department of social services shall annually update the information published pursuant to paragraph (1) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of information necessary for a participant to access and utilize Independent Living Program services, including, but not limited to, class schedules and contact information.
(b) The State Department of Social Services shall publish on the Internet Web site for its Independent Living Program direct links to the information published by each county pursuant to subdivision (a). The department shall annually review and update those links as necessary.

SEC. 2.
To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

SECTION 1.Section 10609.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:
10609.3.
(a)By January 1, 2019, the State Department of Social Services shall complete, in consultation with county Independent Living Program administrators, California Youth Connection, placement agencies, providers, advocacy groups, and community groups, a comprehensive evaluation of the Independent Living Program established pursuant to the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-272) and permanently authorized by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-66), and develop recommendations available to the public on how independent living services could better prepare foster youth for independence and adulthood.
(b)The department shall investigate alternative transition housing models for youth between the ages of 17 and 18 who are in out-of-home placements under the supervision of the county department of social services or county probation department. To the extent federal funds are available and it is in the best interests of the children, the department shall develop and implement a transitional housing model for youth who are preparing for emancipation from foster care.
(c)The department shall also investigate alternative transition models for youth discharged from foster care to live on their own. As part of this investigation, the department shall consider the needs of youth for housing, transportation, health care, access to community resources, employment, and other support services.
(d)The department shall, with the approval of the federal government, amend the foster care state plan, provided for pursuant to Subtitle IV-E (commencing with Section 470) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670, et seq.), and the child welfare services state plan (42 U.S.C. Sec. 622), to permit all eligible children be served by the Independent Living Program up to the age of 21 years.
(e)(1)Counties shall maintain a stipend to supplement and not supplant the Independent Living Program. The stipend may provide for, but not be limited to, assisting youth who have exited the foster care system at or after 18 years of age with the following independent living needs:
~~(A)Bus passes.~~
~~(B)Housing rental deposits and fees.~~
~~(C)Housing utility deposits and fees.~~
~~(D)Work-related equipment and supplies.~~
~~(E)Training-related equipment and supplies.~~
~~(F)Education-related equipment and supplies.~~
(2)Notwithstanding Section 10101, the state shall pay 100 percent of the nonfederal costs associated with the stipend program in paragraph (1), subject to the availability of funding provided in the annual Budget Act.
(3)Notwithstanding paragraph (2), 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.