BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 735
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 735 (Mitchell)
As Amended August 25, 2011
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-1 |(May 27, 2011) |SENATE: |25-12|(August 30, |
| | | | | |2011) |
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Original Committee Reference: L. & E.
SUMMARY : Establishes a hiring preference for state internships
and student assistants for foster youth.
The Senate amendments :
1)Specify that for purposes of this bill, "preference" means
priority over similarly qualified applicants for placement in
the position.
2)Provide that the preference shall be granted to applicants up
to 26 years of age.
3)Add a co-author.
4)Add chaptering out language to avoid a conflict with AB 212
(Beall).
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill:
1)Required state agencies, when hiring for internships and
student assistant positions, to give preference to qualified
applicants who are, or have recently been, dependent children
in foster care.
2)Required county welfare departments to provide dependent
children with information notifying them that they may be
eligible for this hiring preference.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, few groups are at greater
risk for homelessness, poverty and school failure than
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California's foster youth. Only 50% of foster youth graduate
from high school, compared with 75% of their peers who were not
a part of the foster care system. In addition, the unemployment
rate among former foster youth is staggering: 60% of former
foster youth are unemployed at age 19 compared with 42% of their
peers with no history of foster care.
In order to address these issues, this bill states that priority
should be given to former or current foster youth when state
agencies are hiring for student assistant and/or intern
positions. According to the author, student assistant positions
already exist within many state departments. These positions are
offered to students currently enrolled in school seeking "on the
job" experience. These positions are a great place for students
to learn a skill as well as make valuable contacts within the
department which will assist them in establishing a pathway to a
career. The author argues that the state has a unique
obligation to current and former foster youth and these
internships are excellent pathways to financial stability as
well as an added incentive to stay in school.
Writing in support of this bill, the Children's Advocacy
Institute (CAI) argues that when by the authority of state law
government enters a home and forcibly removes a child from the
care of their parents, the state incurs a moral responsibility
heavier than any other. CAI states that, according to the
General Accounting Office, only 3% of foster youth will graduate
from a four year college; between 27% and 35% end up in jail or
prison. Though foster youth comprise less than 0.3% of the
general population, 40% of all people in homeless shelters were
once in foster care. Women who have emancipated from foster
care are four times more likely than other women to receive
public assistance. They conclude that student assistant
positions provide a pathway to employment post-graduation and
stability that is not only consistent with our moral obligation
to these children but a wise step to ensure they do not enter
far more expensive state-funded systems and programs.
Analysis Prepared by : Ben Ebbink / L. & E. / (916) 319-2091
FN: 0001820
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