California 2019-2020 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB944 Latest Draft

Bill / Enrolled Version Filed 09/13/2019

                            Enrolled  September 13, 2019 Passed IN  Senate  September 06, 2019 Passed IN  Assembly  September 10, 2019 Amended IN  Senate  August 30, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 944Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk(Principal coauthor: Senator Skinner)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Chiu and Gipson)(Coauthor: Senator Wieckowski)February 20, 2019 An act to amend Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 944, Quirk. CalWORKs: sponsored noncitizen: indigence exception.Existing law provides for various public social services programs, including, among others, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals, CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county, and the Medi-Cal program, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. Existing federal and state law provide that in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for an alien, the income and resources of an alien shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the alien and the spouse of that person, as specified, and requires the sponsored applicant or recipient to provide information regarding the income and resources of those persons. Existing federal law and state regulations provide that if a sponsored alien is determined to be indigent, as specified, the sponsored alien shall be exempt from the sponsor deeming requirements for a period beginning on the date of that indigency determination and ending 12 months after that date.This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, require a county to renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, CalWORKs benefits who is deemed to meet the indigence requirement, as specified. The bill would require the department to commence implementing this provision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement the 12-month renewals. The bill would authorize the department to implement and administer this provision through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted, and require the department to adopt regulations no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions. By increasing county duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.This bill would provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill.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, 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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.SEC. 2. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.SEC. 3. 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.

 Enrolled  September 13, 2019 Passed IN  Senate  September 06, 2019 Passed IN  Assembly  September 10, 2019 Amended IN  Senate  August 30, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 944Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk(Principal coauthor: Senator Skinner)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Chiu and Gipson)(Coauthor: Senator Wieckowski)February 20, 2019 An act to amend Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 944, Quirk. CalWORKs: sponsored noncitizen: indigence exception.Existing law provides for various public social services programs, including, among others, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals, CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county, and the Medi-Cal program, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. Existing federal and state law provide that in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for an alien, the income and resources of an alien shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the alien and the spouse of that person, as specified, and requires the sponsored applicant or recipient to provide information regarding the income and resources of those persons. Existing federal law and state regulations provide that if a sponsored alien is determined to be indigent, as specified, the sponsored alien shall be exempt from the sponsor deeming requirements for a period beginning on the date of that indigency determination and ending 12 months after that date.This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, require a county to renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, CalWORKs benefits who is deemed to meet the indigence requirement, as specified. The bill would require the department to commence implementing this provision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement the 12-month renewals. The bill would authorize the department to implement and administer this provision through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted, and require the department to adopt regulations no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions. By increasing county duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.This bill would provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill.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, 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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: YES 

 Enrolled  September 13, 2019 Passed IN  Senate  September 06, 2019 Passed IN  Assembly  September 10, 2019 Amended IN  Senate  August 30, 2019

Enrolled  September 13, 2019
Passed IN  Senate  September 06, 2019
Passed IN  Assembly  September 10, 2019
Amended IN  Senate  August 30, 2019

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION

 Assembly Bill 

No. 944

Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk(Principal coauthor: Senator Skinner)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Chiu and Gipson)(Coauthor: Senator Wieckowski)February 20, 2019

Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk(Principal coauthor: Senator Skinner)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Chiu and Gipson)(Coauthor: Senator Wieckowski)
February 20, 2019

 An act to amend Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 944, Quirk. CalWORKs: sponsored noncitizen: indigence exception.

Existing law provides for various public social services programs, including, among others, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals, CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county, and the Medi-Cal program, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. Existing federal and state law provide that in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for an alien, the income and resources of an alien shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the alien and the spouse of that person, as specified, and requires the sponsored applicant or recipient to provide information regarding the income and resources of those persons. Existing federal law and state regulations provide that if a sponsored alien is determined to be indigent, as specified, the sponsored alien shall be exempt from the sponsor deeming requirements for a period beginning on the date of that indigency determination and ending 12 months after that date.This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, require a county to renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, CalWORKs benefits who is deemed to meet the indigence requirement, as specified. The bill would require the department to commence implementing this provision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement the 12-month renewals. The bill would authorize the department to implement and administer this provision through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted, and require the department to adopt regulations no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions. By increasing county duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.This bill would provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill.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, 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.

Existing law provides for various public social services programs, including, among others, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals, CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county, and the Medi-Cal program, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. Existing federal and state law provide that in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for an alien, the income and resources of an alien shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the alien and the spouse of that person, as specified, and requires the sponsored applicant or recipient to provide information regarding the income and resources of those persons. Existing federal law and state regulations provide that if a sponsored alien is determined to be indigent, as specified, the sponsored alien shall be exempt from the sponsor deeming requirements for a period beginning on the date of that indigency determination and ending 12 months after that date.

This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, require a county to renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, CalWORKs benefits who is deemed to meet the indigence requirement, as specified. The bill would require the department to commence implementing this provision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement the 12-month renewals. The bill would authorize the department to implement and administer this provision through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted, and require the department to adopt regulations no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions. By increasing county duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.

This bill would provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill.

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, 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.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.SEC. 2. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.SEC. 3. 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.

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

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

SECTION 1. Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.

SECTION 1. Section 11008.135 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

### SECTION 1.

11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.

11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.

11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.



11008.135. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a noncitizen under this division, the income and resources of the noncitizen shall be deemed to include the income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen and the spouse of that person, as provided in Subtitle C (commencing with Section 421) of Title IV of Public Law 104-193, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and any subsequent amendments thereto, and subject to any exceptions allowed by those provisions, including exceptions for indigents and battered spouses.

(b) As a condition of eligibility, the sponsored applicant or recipient shall provide information regarding the income and resources of any person, and the spouse of that person, who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the noncitizen.

(c) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, waivers, and directives, a county shall renew the 12-month exception period for additional 12-month periods for a sponsored applicant for, or recipient of, benefits under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3) who is deemed to meet the indigence exception specified in Section 1631 of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(2) The department shall commence implementing this subdivision when the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this subdivision.

(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 State Department of Social Services may implement and administer the act that added subdivision (c) through all-county letters or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing the act that added subdivision (c) no later than 24 months after the release of the all-county letters or similar instructions.

SEC. 2. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.

SEC. 2. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.

SEC. 2. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of this act.

### SEC. 2.

SEC. 3. 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.

SEC. 3. 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.

SEC. 3. 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.

### SEC. 3.