CalWORKs: family violence option and gender-based violence information.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify exact dates but mention that implementation depends on the readiness of the California Statewide Automated Welfare System.

CalWORKs: Family Violence Option and Gender-Based Violence Information

This law changes how California helps people who are victims of family violence by requiring counties to give exceptions from certain rules if they need help escaping abuse, providing information on identifying and stopping abuse, and creating a standard form for requesting waivers.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the CalWORKs program so that counties must give exceptions to people who have been or are being abused when following the normal rules would make it harder for them to escape or stay safe after leaving an abusive situation.
• Requires counties to tell applicants and recipients if they will get a waiver from certain rules, and explain why if they do not.
• Makes the State Department of Social Services create materials that help people understand how to identify abuse, leave dangerous situations, and stop future abuse. It also requires them to make a standard form for requesting waivers.
• Requires counties to give these materials and forms to everyone who applies or receives CalWORKs benefits.

Who It Names or Affects

• People applying for or receiving CalWORKs benefits who are victims of family violence
• Counties that run the CalWORKs program

Terms To Know

CalWORKs

A California government program that gives money and other help to low-income families with children.

Waiver

An exception from a rule or requirement, allowing someone not to follow it because of special circumstances.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact start date depends on when the state's computer system is ready.
• Counties will need to pay for some new costs related to this law.

Official Summary Text

AB 969, Celeste Rodriguez.
CalWORKs: family violence option and gender-based violence information.
Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals. Existing law imposes various requirements on CalWORKs recipients, including the requirement to participate in specified welfare-to-work activities, unless a good cause exception applies. Existing law requires a county to waive a program requirement for a recipient who has been identified as a past or present victim of domestic abuse when it has been determined that good cause under the welfare-to-work requirement exists.
This bill would, among other things, instead require a county to waive a program requirement for an applicant or recipient who has been identified as a past or present victim of domestic abuse for good
cause, and requires the county to find good cause for a waiver when compliance with the program requirement would make it more difficult for the applicant or recipient, or their children, to escape or to stay safe after escaping abuse, or that it would be detrimental or unfairly penalize those applicants or recipients who are or have been victimized by abuse or who are at risk of further domestic abuse. The bill would require counties, within specified timeframes, to notify each applicant or recipient about whether a waiver will be issued, and if a waiver is denied, the specific reasons for the denials. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a uniform set of written materials that addresses all relevant information and necessary requirements designed to assist individuals to identify, escape, or stop future abuse, overcome the effects of abuse, and make informed decisions, and a standardized waiver request form. The bill would require
each county to provide the written materials and standardized waiver request form to each applicant and recipient, as specified. The bill would make these provisions operative on January 1, 2028, or on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement these provisions, and would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific these provisions through an all-county letter or similar instruction. By imposing duties on counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF