AB 1849: Foster youth: transition to independent living: health insurance coverage.

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which is permitted to adjudge certain children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, and prescribes various hearings and other procedures for these purposes. Existing law extends certain foster care benefits to youth up to 21 years of age, known as nonminor dependents, if specified conditions are met.

Existing law requires a county social worker to develop a case plan for a minor or nonminor dependent that includes, among other things, when appropriate, for a child who is 16 years of age or older and for a nonminor dependent, a transitional independent living plan. During the 90-day period prior to the participant attaining 18 years of age or older, existing law requires a case worker or appropriate agency staff or probation officer and other representatives of the participant, as appropriate, to provide the youth or nonminor dependent with assistance and support in developing the written 90-day transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child, and requires the plan to include, among other things, options regarding health insurance.

This bill would require, for purposes of the 90-day transition plan, information provided regarding health insurance options to include verification that the eligible youth or nonminor is enrolled in Medi-Cal and a description of the steps that have been or will be taken by the youths social worker or probation officer to ensure that the eligible youth or nonminor is transitioned into the Medi-Cal program upon case closure, as specified.

Existing law prohibits the court from terminating dependency jurisdiction over a nonminor who has attained 18 years of age until a hearing is conducted and the county welfare department has submitted a report verifying that specified information, documents, and services have been provided to the nonminor, including the written 90-day transition plan, assistance in completing an application for Medi-Cal or assistance in obtaining other health insurance, and a letter prepared by the county welfare department that includes specified information.

The bill would revise the list of information, services, and documents that are required to be provided to the nonminor to include, among other things, a Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card and continued and uninterrupted enrollment in Medi-Cal for eligible nonminors up to 26 years of age pursuant to specified provisions of law.

By expanding the duties of counties relating to the transition of foster youth from foster care to independent living, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 16501.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 1067 and AB 1997, that would become operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2017, and this bill is chaptered last.

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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.