Amended in Senate May 27, 2014

Amended in Senate April 7, 2014

Senate BillNo. 1252


Introduced by Senator Torres

February 20, 2014


An act to amend Section 11403.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1252, as amended, Torres. Public social services: former foster youth: transitional housing.

Existing law makes transitional housing available to any former foster youth who is at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age who has exited from the foster care system and has elected to participate in the Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined, if he or she has not received services pursuant to these provisions for more than 24 months.

This bill wouldbegin insert authorize a county to, at its option,end insert extend transitional housing pursuant to the above provisions to a former foster youth who is not more than 25 years of age, and for a total of 36 cumulative months, if the former foster youth is completing secondary education or is enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: begin deleteyes end deletebegin insertnoend insert. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P2    1

SECTION 1.  

Section 11403.2 of the Welfare and Institutions
2Code
is amended to read:

3

11403.2.  

(a) The following persons shall be eligible for
4transitional housing provided pursuant to Article 4 (commencing
5with Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4:

6(1) Any foster child at least 16 years of age and not more than
718 years of age, and, on or after January 1, 2012, any nonminor
8dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who is
9eligible for AFDC-FC benefits as described in Section 11401. A
10foster child under 18 years of age shall be eligible for placement
11in the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement
12Program,” pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section
13 16522.1. A nonminor dependent shall be eligible for placement in
14the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement-Plus
15Foster Care Program” pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a)
16of Section 16522.1.

17(2) (A) Any former foster youth at least 18 years of age and,
18except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 24 years
19of age who has exited from the foster care system on or after his
20or her 18th birthday and elects to participate in Transitional
21Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section
2211400, if he or she has not received services under this paragraph
23for more than a total of 24 months, whether or not consecutive. If
24the person participating in a Transitional Housing Program-Plus
25is not receiving aid under Section 11403.1, he or she, as a condition
26of participation, shall enter into, and execute the provisions of, a
27transitional independent living plan that shall be mutually agreed
28upon, and annually reviewed, by the former foster youth and the
29applicable county welfare or probation department or independent
30living program coordinator. The person participating under this
31paragraph shall inform the county of any changes to conditions
32specified in the agreed-upon plan that affect eligibility, including
33changes in address, living circumstances, and the educational or
34training program.

35(B) begin deleteServices provided under subparagraph (A) may be extended end delete
36begin insertA county may, at its option, extend the services provided under
37subparagraph (A) end insert
tobegin delete aend delete former foster youth not more than 25 years
38of age, and for a total of 36 months, whether or not consecutive,
P3    1if the former foster youth, in addition to the requirements specified
2in subparagraph (A), meets either of the following criteria:

3(i) The former foster youth is completing secondary education
4or a program leading to an equivalent credential.

5(ii) The former foster youth is enrolled in an institution that
6provides postsecondary vocational education.

7(b) Payment on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional
8 housing services pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall
9be made to the transitional housing placement provider pursuant
10to the conditions and limitations set forth in Section 11403.3.
11Notwithstanding Section 11403.3, the department, in consultation
12with concerned stakeholders, including, but not limited to,
13representatives of the Legislature, the County Welfare Directors
14begin delete Association,end deletebegin insert Association of California,end insert the Chief Probation Officers
15of California, the Judicial Council, representatives of Indian tribes,
16the California Youth Connection, former foster youth, child
17advocacy organizations, labor organizations, juvenile justice
18advocacy organizations, foster caregiver organizations, researchers,
19and transitional housing placement providers, shall convene a
20workgroup to establish a new rate structure for the Title IV-E
21fundedbegin delete THP-Plus-Fosterend deletebegin insert THP-Plus Fosterend insert Care placement option
22for nonminor dependents. The workgroup shall also consider
23application of this new rate structure to the Transitional Housing
24Program-Plus, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of
25Section 11403.3. In developing the new rate structure pursuant to
26this subdivision, the department shall consider the average rates
27in effect and being paid by counties to current transitional housing
28placement providers.



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