BILL ANALYSIS AB 295 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 295 (Ammiano) As Amended September 4, 2009 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(June 2, 2009) |SENATE: |39-0 |(September 10, | | | | | | |2009) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: HUM. S. SUMMARY : Extends the availability of funds for a specified preadoption and postadoption services project until June 30, 2010, and changes to May 31, 2011, the date that information on the results of the project must be provided to the Legislature by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The Senate amendments delete the provisions of the Assembly version of this bill as summarized in paragraphs 2) -7) below, except the provisions that extend the availability of funds for the preadoption and postadoption services project until June 30, 2010, and change to May 31, 2011, the date that information on the results of the project must be provided to the Legislature DSS. AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill: 1)Extended the availability of funds for a specified preadoption and postadoption services project until June 30, 2010, and changed to May 31, 2011, the date that information on the results of the project must be provided to the Legislature by DSS. 2)Removed "pilot project" status for wrap-around services. 3)Struck all references to the provision of wrap-around services as "pilot projects," and replaced them with the designation of "wrap-around services program." 4)Made changes in the evaluation required of each county's wrap-around services program, adding cost-effectiveness, stability in the least restrictive school placement, and applicable indicators from the state's child and family service review system, such as safety, permanency, and child AB 295 Page 2 well-being in the evaluation of the wrap-around services program. 5)Provided that a child who is categorically eligible for Medi-Cal benefits with no share of cost based on the receipt of Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) or Adoption Assistance benefits remained eligible for Medi-Cal for the time specified in the child's individualized services plan. 6)Provided that placement of a child in his or her parental home is not a change in foster care status for purposes of Medi-Cal eligibility for the duration of the child's individualized services plan and that Medi-Cal eligibility shall not be redetermined when the child is returned to the parental home based on his or her individualized services plan. 7)Provided that a child who reaches 16 years of age while receiving wrap-around services shall be eligible to request and receive independent living services. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, estimates suggest that at as of December 31, 2009, $1.3 million in General Fund (GF) will remain unspent in the adoption services pilot project. Without the extension of the project those funds could be returned to the GF. COMMENTS : The Senate amendments narrow the scope of this bill by deleting all Assembly-approved provisions related to wrap-around services, as summarized in paragraph 2) -7), above. The amendments leave in tact the Assembly-approved provisions extending the availability of funds for preadoption and postadoption services for one year, and extending the due date for a report on the project for six months. Analysis Prepared by : Eric Gelber / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0003048