A.B.85

Summary

Existing law requires each county to provide aid to its indigent residents not supported by other means. These county programs are known as general assistance programs. Existing law permits a county to prohibit an employable individual from receiving general assistance benefits for more than 3 months in any 12-month period, whether or not the months are consecutive, if he or she has been offered an opportunity to attend job skills or job training sessions. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2018, exempt from that prohibition an employable veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, unless the county enacts an ordinance, by July 1, 2018, making the prohibition applicable to an employable veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. By requiring a county to expand eligibility for general assistance programs, or enact an ordinance to make the prohibition applicable to an employable veteran, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires the Legislative Analyst, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, among other specified entities, to conduct an evaluation of the impact of the above-described prohibition and other specified requirements, standards, or restrictions imposed by a county for purposes of receiving general assistance benefits, and the method of aid, on general assistance recipients and applicants. This bill would delete that evaluation requirement as of July 1, 2018. 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.