Welfare and Institutions Code § 10545

(a)The Legislature finds and declares that the direction outlined in the Pilot Projects for Promoting Accountability by Measuring Work Outcomes program pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public law 118-5; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 611(e)) calls for “innovations that re-envision employment and training opportunities as aligned with family goals,” and recognizes that “family well-being occurs when all family members are safe, healthy, and have chances for educational advancement and economic mobility.”

(b)The State Department of Social Services shall apply to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to participate in the Pilot Projects for Promoting Accountability by Measuring Work Outcomes program

pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public law 118-5; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 611 (e)).

(c)The intent of the Legislature is to continue to reimagine CalWORKs into a trauma-informed, family-centered program that maximizes family and child well-being while building meaningful pathways out of poverty.

(d)To meet the goals of subdivision (c), the department may consider the following reforms: modify the existing welfare-to-work process to be family centered; align sanctions to the minimum federal requirements; and repeal the federal work participation rate penalty passthrough.

(e)The reforms pursuant to subdivision (d) may be as considered part of the department’s application to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to participate in the Pilot Projects for Promoting

Accountability by Measuring Work Outcomes program pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public law 118-5; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 611(e)) or as statewide initiatives that the department pursues. The department shall provide to the Legislature a set of any necessary statutory changes no later than January 10, 2025, in order to align state policy to the goals of the federal pilot program, including comprehensive cost estimates by policy change as described in subdivision (d), or other changes as part of the application, for the 2025–26 fiscal year and ongoing.

(f)In implementing this section, the department shall consult legislative staff, representatives of county human services agencies, the County Welfare Directors Association of California, advocate representatives, and labor organizations that represent county workers.