BILL NUMBER: SB 654	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Leno

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 10609.45 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to human services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 654, as introduced, Leno. Independent Living Program.
   Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to
develop statewide standards for the Independent Living Program for
emancipated foster youth established and funded pursuant to federal
law, to assist these individuals in making the transition to
self-sufficiency. Under existing law, a child in receipt of Kinship
Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) Program benefits is also
entitled to request and receive these independent living services.
   This bill would require services available under the Independent
Living Program to be provided to former dependent children of the
juvenile court meeting prescribed requirements.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 10609.45 is added to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:
   10609.45.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, services
available under the Independent Living Program, established pursuant
to the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
(Public Law 99-272), shall be provided to an otherwise eligible
former dependent child of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300
placed with a nonrelated legal guardian, who is receiving permanent
placement services pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 16508. In a
county operating under a demonstration project pursuant to Section
18260, services available under the Independent Living Program shall
be provided to an otherwise eligible former dependent child of the
juvenile court pursuant to Section 300 placed with a nonrelated legal
guardian, regardless of whether the child is receiving permanent
placement services.