Plain English Breakdown
The official text states this bill 'would' make changes, indicating it describes proposed legislation. The metadata notes it passed both chambers but does not confirm final enactment or an effective date.
Expanding Services for CalWORKs Students in Community Colleges
This law adds direct aid for basic needs and changes the goal of student services to economic mobility, while allowing flexibility in work-study wage rules.
What This Bill Does
- Adds direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs as a special service that program funds can cover.
- Changes the required goal of special services from achieving long-term self-sufficiency to achieving economic mobility for CalWORKs students and those transitioning off the program.
- Allows programs to waive the rule requiring employers to pay at least 25% of work-study wages if the total number of on-campus and off-campus work-study positions does not decrease.
Who It Names or Affects
- Students receiving CalWORKs aid who attend California community colleges.
- Community college districts that run the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program.
- Employers offering work-study positions to these students, as wage contribution rules may change.
Terms To Know
- CalWORKs
- A state program that provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals using federal, state, and county funds.
- Work-study
- Jobs for students where the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program can pay up to 75% of wages, with employers usually required to pay at least 25%, unless a waiver is granted.
- Economic mobility
- The ability to improve one's financial situation over time; this bill makes achieving economic mobility the goal for special student services instead of long-term self-sufficiency.
Limits and Unknowns
- Services are only required if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act.
- The waiver allowing employers to pay less than 25% of wages applies only if the number of work-study positions does not decrease.
- State reimbursement for local costs depends on whether the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill creates new mandated expenses.