AB 1225, as introduced, Weber. Housing: former nonminor dependents: homeless youth.
Existing law makes transitional housing available to any foster child who is at least 16 years of age and not more than 18 years of age who is eligible for AFDC-FC benefits, any nonminor dependent who is eligible for AFDC-FC benefits, and 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 a total of 24 months.
This bill would additionally make transitional housing available to any former nonminor dependent with special needs and any homeless youth. By expanding the duties of counties relating to the provision of transitional housing, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
2legislation to expand eligibility for transitional housing to include
3additional populations.
Section 11403.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
5 is amended to read:
(a) The following persons shall be eligible for
7transitional housing provided pursuant to Article 4 (commencing
8with Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4:
9(1) Any foster child at least 16 years of age and not more than
1018 years of age, and, on or after January 1, 2012, any nonminor
11dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who is
12eligible for AFDC-FC benefits as described in Section 11401. A
13foster child under 18 years of age shall be eligible for placement
14in the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement
15Program,” pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section
1616522.1. A nonminor dependent shall be eligible for placement in
17the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement-Plus
18Foster Care Program” pursuant to
paragraph (2) of subdivision (a)
19of Section 16522.1.
20(2) (A) Any former foster youth at least 18 years of age and,
21except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 24 years
22of age who has exited from the foster care system on or after his
23or her 18th birthday and elects to participate in Transitional
24Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section
2511400, if he or she has not received services under this paragraph
26for more than a total of 24 months, whether or not consecutive. If
27the person participating in a Transitional Housing Program-Plus
28is not receiving aid under Section 11403.1, he or she, as a condition
29of participation, shall enter into, and execute the provisions of, a
30transitional independent living plan that shall be mutually agreed
31upon, and annually reviewed, by the former foster youth and the
32applicable county welfare or probation department or independent
33living program coordinator. The
person participating under this
P3 1paragraph shall inform the county of any changes to conditions
2specified in the agreed-upon plan that affect eligibility, including
3changes in address, living circumstances, and the educational or
4training program.
5(B) A county may, at its option, extend the services provided
6under subparagraph (A) to former foster youth not more than 25
7years of age, and for a total of 36 months, whether or not
8consecutive, if the former foster youth, in addition to the
9requirements specified in subparagraph (A), meets either of the
10following criteria:
11(i) The former foster youth is completing secondary education
12or a program leading to an equivalent credential.
13(ii) The former foster youth is enrolled in an institution that
14provides postsecondary education.
15(3) Any former nonminor dependent with special needs.
end insertbegin insert16(4) Any homeless youth.
end insert
17(b) Payment on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional
18housing services pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall
19be made to the transitional housing placement provider pursuant
20to the conditions and limitations set forth in Section 11403.3.
21Notwithstanding Section 11403.3, the department, in consultation
22with concerned stakeholders, including, but not limited to,
23representatives of the Legislature, the County Welfare Directors
24Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of
25California, the Judicial Council, representatives of Indian tribes,
26the California Youth Connection, former foster youth, child
27advocacy organizations, labor organizations, juvenile justice
28advocacy organizations,
foster caregiver organizations, researchers,
29and transitional housing placement providers, shall convene a
30workgroup to establish a new rate structure for the Title IV-E
31funded THP-Plus Foster Care placement option for nonminor
32dependents. The workgroup shall also consider application of this
33new rate structure to the Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as
34described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11403.3.
35In developing the new rate structure pursuant to this subdivision,
36the department shall consider the average rates in effect and being
37paid by counties to current transitional housing placement
38providers.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that
40this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to
P4 1local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made
2pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division
34 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
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