Bill Text: CA SB1252 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Public social services: former foster youth: transitional housing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 774, Statutes of 2014. [SB1252 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB1252-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 1252	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 11, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 27, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 7, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Torres

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to amend Section 11403.2 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to public social services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1252, as amended, Torres. Public social services: former foster
youth: transitional housing.
   Existing law makes transitional housing available to any former
foster youth who is at least 18 years of age and not more than 24
years of age who has exited from the foster care system and has
elected to participate in the Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as
defined, if he or she has not received services pursuant to these
provisions for more than 24 months.
   This bill would authorize a county to, at its option, extend
transitional housing pursuant to the above provisions to a former
foster youth who is not more than 25 years of age, and for a total of
36 cumulative months, if the former foster youth is completing
secondary education or is enrolled in an institution that provides
postsecondary  or vocational  education.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 11403.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   11403.2.  (a) The following persons shall be eligible for
transitional housing provided pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with
Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4:
   (1) Any foster child at least 16 years of age and not more than 18
years of age, and, on or after January 1, 2012, any nonminor
dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who is
eligible for AFDC-FC benefits as described in Section 11401. A foster
child under 18 years of age shall be eligible for placement in the
program certified as a "Transitional Housing Placement Program,"
pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 16522.1. A
nonminor dependent shall be eligible for placement in the program
certified as a "Transitional Housing Placement-Plus Foster Care
Program" pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
16522.1.
   (2) (A) Any former foster youth at least 18 years of age and,
except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 24 years of age
who has exited from the foster care system on or after his or her
18th birthday and elects to participate in Transitional Housing
Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400, if he
or she has not received services under this paragraph for more than a
total of 24 months, whether or not consecutive. If the person
participating in a Transitional Housing Program-Plus is not receiving
aid under Section 11403.1, he or she, as a condition of
participation, shall enter into, and execute the provisions of, a
transitional independent living plan that shall be mutually agreed
upon, and annually reviewed, by the former foster youth and the
applicable county welfare or probation department or independent
living program coordinator. The person participating under this
paragraph shall inform the county of any changes to conditions
specified in the agreed-upon plan that affect eligibility, including
changes in address, living circumstances, and the educational or
training program.
   (B) A county may, at its option, extend the services provided
under subparagraph (A) to former foster youth not more than 25 years
of age, and for a total of 36 months, whether or not consecutive, if
the former foster youth, in addition to the requirements specified in
subparagraph (A), meets either of the following criteria:
   (i) The former foster youth is completing secondary education or a
program leading to an equivalent credential.
   (ii) The former foster youth is enrolled in an institution that
provides postsecondary  vocational  education.
   (b) Payment on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional
housing services pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall
be made to the transitional housing placement provider pursuant to
the conditions and limitations set forth in Section 11403.3.
Notwithstanding Section 11403.3, the department, in consultation with
concerned stakeholders, including, but not limited to,
representatives of the Legislature, the County Welfare Directors
Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of
California, the Judicial Council, representatives of Indian tribes,
the California Youth Connection, former foster youth, child advocacy
organizations, labor organizations, juvenile justice advocacy
organizations, foster caregiver organizations, researchers, and
transitional housing placement providers, shall convene a workgroup
to establish a new rate structure for the Title IV-E funded THP-Plus
Foster Care placement option for nonminor dependents. The workgroup
shall also consider application of this new rate structure to the
Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as described in paragraph (2) of
subdivision (a) of Section 11403.3. In developing the new rate
structure pursuant to this subdivision, the department shall consider
the average rates in effect and being paid by counties to current
transitional housing placement providers.