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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Author: |Gipson | |-----------+-----------------------------------------------------| |Version: |April 11, 2016 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Consultant:|Alma Perez-Schwab | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 of ? 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 AB 1840 (Gipson) Page 3 of ? 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 AB 1840 (Gipson) Page 4 of ? 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 AB 1840 (Gipson) Page 5 of ? 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 -- END --