BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Senator Tony Mendoza, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 1840 Hearing Date: June 29,
2016
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|Author: |Gipson |
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|Version: |April 11, 2016 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Alma Perez-Schwab |
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Subject: State agencies: interns and student assistants:
hiring preference
KEY ISSUE
Should the Legislature require state agencies when hiring for
internships and student assistant positions to give preference
to homeless and formerly incarcerated youth?
ANALYSIS
Existing law:
1) Requires state agencies, when hiring for internships and
student assistant positions, to give preference, as
defined, to qualified applicants who are, or have been,
dependent children in foster care. (Government Code
§18220)
2) Requires the preference to be granted to applicants up
to 26 years of age.
3) Establishes that for the purpose of this section,
"preference" means priority over similarly qualified
AB 1840 (Gipson) Page 2
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applicants for placement in the position.
This Bill would require state agencies when hiring for
internships and student assistant positions to also give
preference to homeless youth and formerly incarcerated youth, as
defined.
Specifically, this bill:
1) Requires any application for an internship and student
assistant position with a state agency to allow the
applicant to identify that he or she is eligible for these
preferences, but would prohibit the application from
requiring the applicant to identify the specific category
that entitles him or her for eligibility.
2) Defines "homeless youth" to mean an applicant up to 26
years of age, who has been verified as a homeless child or
youth, as defined, by at least one of the following:
a. A homeless services provider, as defined.
b. The director, or his or her designee, of a
federal TRIO program (federal outreach and student
services programs for individuals from disadvantaged
backgrounds) or a Gaining Early Awareness and
Readiness for Undergraduate Program.
c. A financial aid administrator.
3) Defines "formerly incarcerated youth" to mean an
individual who has been sentenced to incarceration in, or
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the custody of, the Division of Adult Operations in the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of
Juvenile Justice in the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation, or county jail and released from that
incarceration or custody before the individual attained 21
years of age.
COMMENTS
1. Student Assistant and Intern Positions in State Government:
State employees are hired under the civil service process,
which includes examinations and the development of job
classification lists. Once an individual is placed on a list,
he or she is eligible for that position classification in
various state agencies. Established by the State Constitution,
the State Personnel Board (SPB) is charged with overseeing the
merit-based, job-related recruitment and selection process for
the hiring of state employees. SPB provides direction to
departments through simplifying civil service laws, rules, and
policies.
According to the State Personnel Board, the state establishes
a preference in hiring for veterans by receiving additional
points on their examinations. Unlike state employees, student
assistants and interns are not subject to these civil servant
requirements and as such, individual state agencies are
responsible for hiring for these positions.
2. Need for this bill?
Homeless and formerly incarcerated youth stand as two of the
most economically challenged demographics. Improving
employment opportunity is a critical component of providing
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these youth with a stable, viable future. In a report by the
California State Library titled, "Voices from the Street: A
Survey of Homeless Youth by their Peers," it was found that
over 90% of the respondents cited career opportunities as
their best chance for exiting homelessness. Additionally, a
study on youth incarceration, "The Importance of Getting
Started Right: Further Examination of the
Facility-to-Community Transition of Formerly Incarcerated
Youth," found that youth who were able to get a job placement
within six months were significantly less likely to reoffend
within 12 months, which is considered a critical time period
for gauging long-term recidivism.
According to the author, by providing these youth the
opportunity to gain priority for internships and student
assistant positions, we can ensure that California makes
cost-effective and meaningful efforts to provide on-the-job
training to a critically underserved resource in our
community. Given the sustainable life outcomes that are
derived from consistent employment, it is important to use
every tool at our disposal.
2. Proponent Arguments :
According to the author, homeless youth lack the resources
necessary to capitalize on first job opportunities. Youth
facing homelessness often desire to work, but, unlike many of
their peers, may not have access to a professional network, a
support system to provide guidance for entering the workforce,
or even business-appropriate attire. Proponents of the
measure also note that, consistently, youth identify
employment as one of their top unmet needs. Even college
students struggle to find employment in competitive markets,
where work-study positions are scarce. While many young
people face this challenge, for those experiencing
homelessness, being unemployed can be the difference between
eating and going hungry, or being able to pay for a safe place
to sleep or staying outside or in an situation where they are
likely to be victimized.
Proponents argue that the experience provided by internships
and student assistant positions can plant these youth securely
on a pathway out of homelessness. By including youth
experiencing homelessness within the existing hiring
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preference for foster youth, it recognizes that for these
youths, a job is a matter of basic safety and health.
Finally, proponents argue that this bill is a balanced policy
that will help some of California's most vulnerable young
people.
3. Opponent Arguments :
None received.
4. Prior Legislation :
AB 735 (Mitchell) Chapter 464, Statutes of 2011, provides a
preference for former foster youth, under the age of 26,
applying for positions as student assistants and interns with
a California state agency.
SUPPORT
California Coalition for Youth
John Burton Foundation
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children &
Youth (NAEHCY)
OPPOSITION
None received
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