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.