BILL NUMBER: AB 683	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 6, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 21, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 13, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 12, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 24, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ammiano
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Atkins, Hueso, and Torres)

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 13710) to Part
3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to
homeless persons.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 683, as amended, Ammiano. Homelessness: housing status data.
   Under existing law, various agencies administer programs for the
support of homeless persons.
   This bill would require the Employment Development Department, the
State Department of Health Care Services, and the State Department
of Social Services to inquire in both paper applications and
electronic applications, as prescribed, into the housing status of
persons who apply for specified benefits to determine whether or not
an applicant has stable housing, is at risk of homelessness, or is
experiencing homelessness. This bill would require those departments
only to implement those provisions when there is another reason to
revise the specified applications.
   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.  It is the intent of the Legislature to gather accurate,
consistent data about Californians who lack housing stability, and
how these persons use social services. It is further the intent of
the Legislature to use this data to understand and address the needs
of Californians who lack housing stability.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 13710) is added to
Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 6.1.  HOUSING DATA


   13710.  (a) The following departments shall inquire, pursuant to
subdivision (b), into the housing status of persons who apply for the
following benefits to determine whether or not an applicant has
stable housing, is at risk of homelessness, or is experiencing
homelessness.
   (1) The Employment Development Department shall inquire into the
housing status of persons who apply for unemployment insurance
benefits.
   (2) The State Department of Health Care Services shall inquire
into the housing status of persons who apply for Medi-Cal benefits.
   (3) The State Department of Social Services shall inquire into the
housing status of persons who apply for California Work Opportunity
and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) benefits and CalFresh.
   (b) Both paper and electronic application forms for the benefits
specified in subdivision (a) shall include the following questions,
and the following answers that an applicant may select, to determine
each applicant's housing status:
   (1) Do you own or rent housing, or if you do not own or rent, do
you have a permanent place to live?
   (A) Own.
   (B) Rent.
   (C) Have a permanent place to live.
   (D) Do not have a permanent place to live.
   (2) If you do not have a permanent place to live, where are you
currently staying?
   (A) With a friend or family member.
   (B) At a transitional living facility.
   (C) At a shelter or church.
   (D) In a car.
   (E) At a migrant camp.
   (F) In a place not intended for habitation (for example, a bus
depot or train station).
   (G) On the streets.
   (H) Other.
   (3) If you do not have a permanent place to live, how long have
you not had a permanent place to live?
   (A) Less than one year.
   (B) Over one year.
   (C) Off and on for two or three years.
   (D) Off and on for three or more years. 
   (c) Answers to questions regarding housing status specified in
subdivision (b) shall be optional and are not required in order for
an application form to be considered complete or for the submission
of an electronic application form.  
   (d) When applicable, information regarding housing status as
specified in subdivision (b) may be collected during an interview
process in lieu of an initial application or supplemental application
form.  
   (c) 
    (   e)  Each department identified in
subdivision (a) shall implement this section only when there is
another reason to revise an application for benefits.