Bill Text: CA SB1112 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Childcare: alternative payment programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1016, Statutes of 2024. [SB1112 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB1112-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 1112

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Introduced by Senator Menjivar
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry)

February 13, 2024

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An act to add Section 14093.11 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 1112, as introduced, Menjivar. Medi-Cal: families with subsidized childcare.

Existing law establishes a system of childcare and development services, administered by the State Department of Social Services, for children from infancy to 13 years of age. Existing law authorizes, upon departmental approval, the use of appropriated funds for alternative payment programs to allow for maximum parental choice. Existing law authorizes those programs to include, among other things, a subsidy that follows the family from one childcare provider to another, or choices among hours of service. Existing law requires the department to contract with local contracting agencies for alternative payment programs so that services are provided throughout the state.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, through managed care or fee-for-service delivery systems. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services are covered Medi-Cal benefits for individuals under 21 years of age.

This bill, subject to any necessary federal approvals and the availability of federal funding, would require the State Department of Health Care Services and the State Department of Social Services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to facilitate coordination between Medi-Cal managed care plans and alternative payment agencies.

For purposes of children of families receiving subsidized childcare services through an alternative payment program, and upon the consent of the parent or guardian, the bill would require the plans and agencies to collaborate on assisting the family with the Medi-Cal enrollment of a child who is eligible but not a beneficiary, and on referring a Medi-Cal beneficiary to developmental screenings that are available under EPSDT services and administered through the plan. The bill would authorize the agency to perform certain related functions.

Digest Key

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

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Bill Text

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

SECTION 1.

 Section 14093.11 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

14093.11.

 (a) The department and the State Department of Social Services shall enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purpose of facilitating coordination between Medi-Cal managed care plans and alternative payment agencies that operate alternative payment programs under the Child Care and Development Services Act, as described in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10225) of Part 1.8, in order to implement subdivision (b).

(b) In accordance with the MOU, and for purposes of children of families receiving subsidized childcare services through an alternative payment program, the Medi-Cal managed care plans and alternative payment agencies shall collaborate on both of the following upon the consent of the corresponding parent or guardian:

(1) If the child is eligible for coverage under the Medi-Cal program but is not a Medi-Cal beneficiary, assist the family with enrollment of the child into the Medi-Cal program.

(2) If the child is already a Medi-Cal beneficiary, or if the child is newly enrolled in Medi-Cal through the assistance described in paragraph (1), refer the child to developmental screenings that are available under early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services, as covered under subdivision (v) of Section 14132, and that are administered through the Medi-Cal managed care plan.

(c) In accordance with the MOU, an alternative payment agency may address the systems of care coordination gap and may serve as the primary prevention coordination partner with expanded navigation and training functions, for the purpose of implementing subdivision (b).

(d) (1) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section.

(2) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals have been obtained and federal financial participation is available.