BILL ANALYSIS Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair 1758 (Ammiano) Hearing Date: 08/02/2010 Amended: 06/30/2010 Consultant: Jacqueline Wong-HernandezPolicy Vote: Human Services 5-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 1758 amends Section 18250 of the Welfare and Institutions code to remove all references to "pilot project" status of county-authorized wrap-around services, striking "pilot projects" and replacing the phrase with the designation of "wrap-around services program." This bill also replaces "academic performance" with "stability in the least restrictive school placement," in the list of outcomes evaluated in each county's wrap-around services program. This bill would also declare that pursuant to existing law children categorically eligible for Medi-Cal benefits without a share of cost due to receipt of benefits under the AFDC-FC program shall remain eligible for Medi-Cal benefits during participation in the wraparound services program. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund Code clean-up $0 $0 $0 General Clarifies Medi-Cal eligibility Likely very minor costs, to the extent that General eligible youth were mistakenly denied coverage Federal _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: This bill would rename the wrap-around services pilot project, the "County Wraparound Services Program." This cost-neutral program is authorized in counties, and 39 counties participate in it. It was originally a pilot project, but has since become an ongoing program. This change would conform state statute to reflect the program's change, by deleting all references to a pilot status. Last year, AB 295 (Ammiano) contained similar code clean-up provisions, which were later amended out. This bill specifically states that a child who is categorically eligible for Medi-Cal benefits without a share of cost due to receipt of benefits under the AFDC-FC program shall remain eligible for Medi-Cal benefits during participation in the wraparound services program, provided the child remains an eligible child under the standards of existing law. This provision clarifies existing law, and does not expand Medi-Cal eligibility. It is intended to stop counties from mistakenly removing the Medi-Cal coverage of eligible children due to confusion about the program.