Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 761Introduced by Senator AshbyFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 10823.3 of add Sections 69408.5 and 69432.93 to the Education Code, and to repeal and add Section 18901.12 of, and to add Section 18901.13 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 761, as amended, Ashby. California Statewide Automated Welfare System. CalFresh: student eligibility.Existing federal law provides for 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. Under existing state law, households are eligible to receive CalFresh benefits to the extent permitted by federal law. Existing federal law provides that students who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet one of several specified exemptions, including participating in an employment and training program for low-income households that is operated by a state or local government, as specified. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, on or before May 31, 2022, to issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the CalFresh student eligibility exemption and that clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability.This bill would repeal the existing approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, and would instead require that any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability, as specified. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar instruction, and would require the department to issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California to notify them of these changes. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Existing law requires the commission to determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, as provided.This bill would require the Student Aid Commission to, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure (1) the commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program through those students Cal Grant applications, and (2) students identified through the application process as being potentially eligible for CalFresh have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach. The bill would require the department, commencing with the 202728 academic year, to contact those students who opted in to have their information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.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 requires the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration within the California Health and Human Services Agency to implement a statewide automated welfare system, known as the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS), for various public assistance programs, including the CalWORKs program, CalFresh, and the Medi-Cal program. Existing law requires, to the extent possible within the technology, the development of the CalSAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications to have the goals of minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians, streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers, and facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69408.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.SEC. 2. Section 69432.93 is added to the Education Code, to read:69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.SEC. 3. Section 18901.12 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is repealed.18901.12.(a)On or before May 31, 2022, the department shall issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that does all of the following:(1)Clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and is consistent with Section 273.7(e)(1) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(2)Clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, clarifying the supporting documents required for program approval.(b)(1)A campus-based program at a campus of the California Community Colleges or at a campus of the California State University that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), shall submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program at a campus of the University of California that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), is requested to submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(c)(1)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University shall submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the University of California is requested to submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(d)Upon receipt of a certification application from a campus-based program pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall approve the campus-based program if it meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established in the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a).(e)(1)On or before September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, until 2030, the department shall report to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Assembly Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Human Services all of the following information:(A)The number of state-approved campus-based local educational programs that increase employability that are approved pursuant to subdivision (d), disaggregated by name and campus.(B)The number of pending applications, disaggregated by name and campus.(C)The number of applications denied, disaggregated by name and campus, and the reason for the denials.(2)The department shall also post the report described in paragraph (1) on its internet website.(f)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 department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.SEC. 4. Section 18901.12 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.SEC. 5. Section 18901.13 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 18901.12, to read:18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.SEC. 6. 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.SECTION 1.Section 10823.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:10823.3.(a)The development of the SAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications shall, to the extent possible within the technology, have both of the following goals:(1)Minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians and streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers.(2)Facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.(b)The parties listed in subdivision (a) of Section 10823.1 shall jointly update the Legislature at least twice per year through existing processes as to how the SAWS development, implementation, and maintenance minimizes client burden in order to improve access to safety net programs and incorporates ongoing applicant and client feedback towards continuous improvement.
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 761Introduced by Senator AshbyFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 10823.3 of add Sections 69408.5 and 69432.93 to the Education Code, and to repeal and add Section 18901.12 of, and to add Section 18901.13 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 761, as amended, Ashby. California Statewide Automated Welfare System. CalFresh: student eligibility.Existing federal law provides for 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. Under existing state law, households are eligible to receive CalFresh benefits to the extent permitted by federal law. Existing federal law provides that students who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet one of several specified exemptions, including participating in an employment and training program for low-income households that is operated by a state or local government, as specified. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, on or before May 31, 2022, to issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the CalFresh student eligibility exemption and that clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability.This bill would repeal the existing approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, and would instead require that any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability, as specified. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar instruction, and would require the department to issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California to notify them of these changes. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Existing law requires the commission to determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, as provided.This bill would require the Student Aid Commission to, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure (1) the commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program through those students Cal Grant applications, and (2) students identified through the application process as being potentially eligible for CalFresh have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach. The bill would require the department, commencing with the 202728 academic year, to contact those students who opted in to have their information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.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 requires the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration within the California Health and Human Services Agency to implement a statewide automated welfare system, known as the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS), for various public assistance programs, including the CalWORKs program, CalFresh, and the Medi-Cal program. Existing law requires, to the extent possible within the technology, the development of the CalSAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications to have the goals of minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians, streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers, and facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 761
Introduced by Senator AshbyFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Senator Ashby
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 10823.3 of add Sections 69408.5 and 69432.93 to the Education Code, and to repeal and add Section 18901.12 of, and to add Section 18901.13 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 761, as amended, Ashby. California Statewide Automated Welfare System. CalFresh: student eligibility.
Existing federal law provides for 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. Under existing state law, households are eligible to receive CalFresh benefits to the extent permitted by federal law. Existing federal law provides that students who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet one of several specified exemptions, including participating in an employment and training program for low-income households that is operated by a state or local government, as specified. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, on or before May 31, 2022, to issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the CalFresh student eligibility exemption and that clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability.This bill would repeal the existing approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, and would instead require that any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability, as specified. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar instruction, and would require the department to issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California to notify them of these changes. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Existing law requires the commission to determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, as provided.This bill would require the Student Aid Commission to, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure (1) the commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program through those students Cal Grant applications, and (2) students identified through the application process as being potentially eligible for CalFresh have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach. The bill would require the department, commencing with the 202728 academic year, to contact those students who opted in to have their information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.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 requires the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration within the California Health and Human Services Agency to implement a statewide automated welfare system, known as the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS), for various public assistance programs, including the CalWORKs program, CalFresh, and the Medi-Cal program. Existing law requires, to the extent possible within the technology, the development of the CalSAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications to have the goals of minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians, streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers, and facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.
Existing federal law provides for 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. Under existing state law, households are eligible to receive CalFresh benefits to the extent permitted by federal law. Existing federal law provides that students who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet one of several specified exemptions, including participating in an employment and training program for low-income households that is operated by a state or local government, as specified. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, on or before May 31, 2022, to issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the CalFresh student eligibility exemption and that clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability.
This bill would repeal the existing approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, and would instead require that any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability, as specified. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar instruction, and would require the department to issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California to notify them of these changes. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 202425 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act. Existing law requires the commission to determine the timelines and procedures for the application process for awards, as provided.
This bill would require the Student Aid Commission to, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure (1) the commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program through those students Cal Grant applications, and (2) students identified through the application process as being potentially eligible for CalFresh have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach. The bill would require the department, commencing with the 202728 academic year, to contact those students who opted in to have their information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
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 requires the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration within the California Health and Human Services Agency to implement a statewide automated welfare system, known as the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS), for various public assistance programs, including the CalWORKs program, CalFresh, and the Medi-Cal program. Existing law requires, to the extent possible within the technology, the development of the CalSAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications to have the goals of minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians, streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers, and facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69408.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.SEC. 2. Section 69432.93 is added to the Education Code, to read:69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.SEC. 3. Section 18901.12 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is repealed.18901.12.(a)On or before May 31, 2022, the department shall issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that does all of the following:(1)Clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and is consistent with Section 273.7(e)(1) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(2)Clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, clarifying the supporting documents required for program approval.(b)(1)A campus-based program at a campus of the California Community Colleges or at a campus of the California State University that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), shall submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program at a campus of the University of California that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), is requested to submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(c)(1)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University shall submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the University of California is requested to submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(d)Upon receipt of a certification application from a campus-based program pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall approve the campus-based program if it meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established in the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a).(e)(1)On or before September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, until 2030, the department shall report to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Assembly Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Human Services all of the following information:(A)The number of state-approved campus-based local educational programs that increase employability that are approved pursuant to subdivision (d), disaggregated by name and campus.(B)The number of pending applications, disaggregated by name and campus.(C)The number of applications denied, disaggregated by name and campus, and the reason for the denials.(2)The department shall also post the report described in paragraph (1) on its internet website.(f)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 department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.SEC. 4. Section 18901.12 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.SEC. 5. Section 18901.13 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 18901.12, to read:18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.SEC. 6. 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.SECTION 1.Section 10823.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:10823.3.(a)The development of the SAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications shall, to the extent possible within the technology, have both of the following goals:(1)Minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians and streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers.(2)Facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.(b)The parties listed in subdivision (a) of Section 10823.1 shall jointly update the Legislature at least twice per year through existing processes as to how the SAWS development, implementation, and maintenance minimizes client burden in order to improve access to safety net programs and incorporates ongoing applicant and client feedback towards continuous improvement.
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 69408.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
SECTION 1. Section 69408.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69408.5. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:
(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.
(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
SEC. 2. Section 69432.93 is added to the Education Code, to read:69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
SEC. 2. Section 69432.93 is added to the Education Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
69432.93. The commission shall, on or before January 1, 2027, amend the Cal Grant application to ensure both of the following:
(a) The commission identifies students that might be eligible for the CalFresh program established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through those students Cal Grant applications.
(b) Students identified as potentially eligible for CalFresh pursuant to subdivision (a) have the ability to grant their permission to have their contact information shared with the State Department of Social Services for the purposes of direct outreach, as described in Section 18901.13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
SEC. 3. Section 18901.12 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is repealed.18901.12.(a)On or before May 31, 2022, the department shall issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that does all of the following:(1)Clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and is consistent with Section 273.7(e)(1) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(2)Clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, clarifying the supporting documents required for program approval.(b)(1)A campus-based program at a campus of the California Community Colleges or at a campus of the California State University that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), shall submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program at a campus of the University of California that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), is requested to submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(c)(1)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University shall submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the University of California is requested to submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(d)Upon receipt of a certification application from a campus-based program pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall approve the campus-based program if it meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established in the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a).(e)(1)On or before September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, until 2030, the department shall report to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Assembly Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Human Services all of the following information:(A)The number of state-approved campus-based local educational programs that increase employability that are approved pursuant to subdivision (d), disaggregated by name and campus.(B)The number of pending applications, disaggregated by name and campus.(C)The number of applications denied, disaggregated by name and campus, and the reason for the denials.(2)The department shall also post the report described in paragraph (1) on its internet website.(f)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 department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.
SEC. 3. Section 18901.12 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is repealed.
### SEC. 3.
18901.12.(a)On or before May 31, 2022, the department shall issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that does all of the following:(1)Clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and is consistent with Section 273.7(e)(1) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(2)Clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, clarifying the supporting documents required for program approval.(b)(1)A campus-based program at a campus of the California Community Colleges or at a campus of the California State University that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), shall submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program at a campus of the University of California that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), is requested to submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(c)(1)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University shall submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(2)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the University of California is requested to submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.(d)Upon receipt of a certification application from a campus-based program pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall approve the campus-based program if it meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established in the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a).(e)(1)On or before September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, until 2030, the department shall report to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Assembly Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Human Services all of the following information:(A)The number of state-approved campus-based local educational programs that increase employability that are approved pursuant to subdivision (d), disaggregated by name and campus.(B)The number of pending applications, disaggregated by name and campus.(C)The number of applications denied, disaggregated by name and campus, and the reason for the denials.(2)The department shall also post the report described in paragraph (1) on its internet website.(f)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 department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.
(a)On or before May 31, 2022, the department shall issue a guidance letter to counties, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that does all of the following:
(1)Clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for a campus-based program to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and is consistent with Section 273.7(e)(1) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(2)Clarifies the application and approval process for a campus-based program to be approved by the department as a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, clarifying the supporting documents required for program approval.
(b)(1)A campus-based program at a campus of the California Community Colleges or at a campus of the California State University that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), shall submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.
(2)A campus-based program at a campus of the University of California that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established by the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a), is requested to submit a certification application for the program to the department on or before September 1, 2022. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.
(c)(1)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University shall submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration, the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, or the Chancellors office of the California State University, as applicable, may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.
(2)A campus-based program that meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability after September 1, 2022, at a campus of the University of California is requested to submit a certification application to the department on or before six months following the formation of the program. If the campus-based program is available at more than one campus, the application shall list each campus at which the program is available. An individual campus administration or the Office of the President of the University of California may submit the certification application on behalf of the campus-based program.
(d)Upon receipt of a certification application from a campus-based program pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall approve the campus-based program if it meets the eligibility requirements to be a state-approved local educational program that increases employability, as established in the departments guidance letter issued pursuant to subdivision (a).
(e)(1)On or before September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, until 2030, the department shall report to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the Assembly Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Human Services all of the following information:
(A)The number of state-approved campus-based local educational programs that increase employability that are approved pursuant to subdivision (d), disaggregated by name and campus.
(B)The number of pending applications, disaggregated by name and campus.
(C)The number of applications denied, disaggregated by name and campus, and the reason for the denials.
(2)The department shall also post the report described in paragraph (1) on its internet website.
(f)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 department may implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.
SEC. 4. Section 18901.12 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.
SEC. 4. Section 18901.12 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SEC. 4.
18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.
18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.
18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.
18901.12. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, any campus-based program of study at a public institution of higher education shall be considered as a state-approved local education program that increases employability that has a component that is equivalent to a component specified in Section 273.7(e)(2) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and that qualifies for the student exemption for CalFresh eligibility, as described in Section 273.5(b)(11)(iv) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) (1) 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 department shall implement and administer this section through all-county letters or similar instructions that shall have the same force and effect as regulations.
(2) On or before May 31, 2026, the department shall issue a guidance letter to the Chancellors Office of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellors office of the California State University, and the Office of the President of the University of California that notifies them of the changes made to this section by the act that added this section.
SEC. 5. Section 18901.13 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 18901.12, to read:18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
SEC. 5. Section 18901.13 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 18901.12, to read:
### SEC. 5.
18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
18901.13. Commencing with the 202728 academic year, the department shall contact all students who, pursuant to Sections 69408.5 or 69432.93 of the Education Code, as applicable, opted in to have their contact information shared with the department for the purposes of determining their eligibility for CalFresh and receiving assistance in applying for the food benefits.
SEC. 6. 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. 6. 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. 6. 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. 6.
(a)The development of the SAWS enrollment and eligibility functionality, case management systems, ancillary services, public portals, and mobile applications shall, to the extent possible within the technology, have both of the following goals:
(1)Minimizing the burden of the overall eligibility process for enrollment and retention of benefits for low-income Californians and streamlining interactions for both clients and eligibility workers.
(2)Facilitating applicant and client submission of feedback.
(b)The parties listed in subdivision (a) of Section 10823.1 shall jointly update the Legislature at least twice per year through existing processes as to how the SAWS development, implementation, and maintenance minimizes client burden in order to improve access to safety net programs and incorporates ongoing applicant and client feedback towards continuous improvement.