Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services

[Roll call]

We have a quorum. Welcome to the June 6th Bill hearing of the Assembly Human Services Committee. I will now share a few notes about the logistics of our hearing today regarding the public's access to discussions. For those joining us in person, face coverings are encouraged for all Members, employees and the public in all common areas and shared spaces. For dial-in witnesses, we will be using a moderated telephone service through which any member of the public can testify on a Bill.

The call in number for this hearing is 877-692-8957 and the access code is 131-5437. You can also find this number on the Committee's website as well as on your TV screen. If you're calling in, please do so now. The operator on the line will give you instructions on how to be placed in queue based of whether you support or oppose a Bill. When calling in, please be mindful of and eliminate all background noise. We can hear it. Today once - well, we have established a quorum.

We have four bills at this time and one constitutional amendment on the agenda. Two bills are on consent. Please know that we will limit testimony to two witnesses in support and two witnesses in opposition. Each witness has two minutes to testify. Any additional witnesses may add on by stating their name and affiliation. Let's move first on the consent calendar. I have a motion. Is there a second? We have a second.

Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

On the consent calendar. File item two, SB 462, Wahab. File item four, SB 824, Ashby. [Roll call]

6-0. Consent is out. Now, we'll just move on through our bills here to be heard. SB 333, Senator Cortese. Welcome. And we welcome any witnesses that you have. We see that you have one by phone and one in person. And you may begin when you're ready.

Thank you, Mr. Chair and Members. I'm here to present SB 333 today, the California Soar Guaranteed Income Program. There are about 270,000 students within California's K 12 school system who are experiencing homelessness right now. That number has increased by over 48% in the past decade. About 15,000 of these students are in the twelfth grade. School districts support these students by utilizing funds from the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal act, and that is a key legislative support system for students experiencing homelessness.

However, that law applies only to currently enrolled students, meaning a student experiencing homelessness will only receive support up until they exit from high school. The lack of support available to youth experiencing homelessness post graduation significantly hinders their ability to pursue their educational, career or career ambitions for that matter. While federal and state law can provide extensive physical aid to youth experiencing homelessness who actually enroll in college, the aid does not become available until the student begins attending college, typically in the fall.

As a result, many of these youth become subject to a phenomenon known as summer melt, a scenario in which high school graduates are accepted into college and intend to enroll, but ultimately do not. This problem is common among low income students who lack the financial resources to make the transition from high school to college in the fall. These students, of course, can be sticker shocked when they see associated fees, given their specific circumstances of being unhoused.

In recognition of the need to extend support to our most vulnerable students during the bridge between high school graduation and post-secondary education or employment, SB 333 establishes a statewide guaranteed income program that operates for a limited time, providing cash assistance on a monthly basis for five months to these youth. The Bill defines an eligible participant as an individual who's enrolled in the twelfth grade meets the definition of homelessness.

According to the McKinney-Vento Act, which is a very clear definition, the pilot program will serve approximately 15,000 youth experiencing homelessness statewide beginning on April 1, 2025 through August 1, 2025. As is typical of Guaranteed Income Programs, or UBI programs, it's a no strings attached guaranteed income model that will empower youth to use the funds as they see fit, whether that's books or tuition ultimately, or a warm coat or shoes or whatever it is they need.

Other guaranteed income programs, including one that I piloted in Santa Clara County when I was there to serve transitional age foster youth. And I believe the state model which is currently underway for foster and pregnant women have proven to be successful, implementable, and the results have demonstrated that guaranteed income reduces income volatility significantly, helps people find full-time employment, improves physical and mental health, and creates new opportunities for people.

This Bill will equip youth experiencing homelessness with the financial resources to embark on a path towards stability and success as they exit high school. Here to testify in support of the Bill, we have Tamika Banks and here in-person- Okay, I'm going to let you self identify, but I apologize. Sarah- I'm sorry, I do have it here. Sarah Bouabibsa, and you can probably pronounce your name again anyway and correct the record on that.

She is the West Advocacy Manager and co-sponsor of the Bill. I don't know which one you want to start with first.

Welcome. Please begin.

Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Jackson and Committee Members. You actually got my last name right, which is very rare. People don't usually get it correctly, but my name is Sarah Bouabibsa and I'm the West Advocacy Manager with Young Invincibles, and we're a proud co-sponsor of SB 33. We really want to thank Senator Cortese for his commitment to dignifying the most vulnerable youth in our state. And as Senator Cortez mentioned, every year, roughly 15,000 high school seniors graduate into adult homelessness.

I'm sure all of us have been seeing graduation pictures as of late, and it's usually a joyous occasion. But for this particular cohort, one that has beat the odds, has completed high school against all of the barriers they face, it's really a day filled with uncertainty and not knowing what's coming down the line for them, for their future. These kids have done everything that we ask of high school seniors.

They've attended school, they have thought about their dream career and thought about what they're going to do after they finish college. And we tell them to focus on getting to college to make those dreams a reality. But when we let them graduate high school and we strip away all of the support that's provided by the K-12 system, we're essentially letting them down on that promise. We told them to make it past high school. They do. And then we tell them that's it.

You can make it to college if you like. But often these barriers, mostly financial and otherwise, prove to be too difficult to overcome for them to actually make it there. SB 333 would provide the one thing that many of these young adults need, which is a guaranteed income. And the guaranteed income would help break the cycle of poverty. The research shows that GI is a powerful tool that affords the recipients autonomy to address their own needs.

Through research like the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration and the Child Tax Credit, we see that unconditional cash really helps participants break the cycle of poverty and use the income, whether to save for the future or even gain higher paying employment. During the time of Child Tax Credit, during the pandemic, by the last month that it was provided, 3.7 million children had been lifted above the poverty line. Regular cash payments for the 15,000 graduating seniors can help with rent, food, and even relocation costs for college.

Guaranteed income is simple and it's transformative. It helps people get ahead and get one step closer to financial stability. And we must provide California's homeless youth with the opportunity to become economically stable. They too deserve shelter, food, and a chance to work towards those very dreams that we helped them come up with during high school. So for these reasons, I thank you and I urge your aye vote.

We have a motion, we have a second. Next up by phone, we have Tamika Banks. By phone.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Tamika Banks, and I'm honored to testify before you today. I want to share my personal journey with you as it reflects the challenges faced by many young individuals who lack stable housing and support system. Imagine being the second child born to a teenage mom, who had been raped in both occasions and was told that if she told anyone in her family, she would be killed. Then imagine being shunned by her family. Well, this is my story.

With $400 in my mom's pocket, she bravely moved us from Cleveland, Ohio, to California in search for a better life. When we arrived, we faced homelessness there for some time as well, relying on Section 8 housing vouchers to secure roof over our heads. Unfortunately for us, the challenges did not end there, and I experienced unspeakable trauma within the walls of the home, leading to me transferring to over eight different junior high schools.

Determined to be my best self, I graduated from high school in three years as a junior at the age of 17, earning a partial scholarship to Santa Clara University. I thought, 'Mama I made it'. But the financial burden proved overwhelming. The cost of books, transportation, basic necessities, they were heavy on me. They were heavy on my shoulders. And for a long time, I felt like I was a dropout because I dropped out.

But perhaps if Senate Bill 333 were a law aimed at supporting students in need had been in effect, it would have provided me with the vital assistance needed for these expenses, giving me a greater sense of security and confidence on my journey to a better life. So, unable to attend the University, I made what seemed like the best decision at the time. I married, I moved to San Diego, and I had our first child.

My dreams of pursuing education and employment clashed with my husband's traditional views. So we separated, and at 20 years old, I found myself homeless again. But let me assure you that adversity did not define me. Today, I proudly testify before you as a woman who has achieved both professional and spiritual success. I'm a life coach and a managing director at Delta Roe, which is a safe place for people in crisis. So through precedence and determination, I've overcome these obstacles I face.

But now imagine today, I have seven children, five of them school age, three in high school, one 8th grader, one third grader. Imagine what's coming for them. Stable housing is crucial for their well-being and development. And as I testify today, I'm a testament to the transformative power of addressing housing insecurity, supporting education, and improving mental well being. By extending a helping hand to young individuals facing similar challenges, we can empower them to rise above their circumstances and create a brighter future.

Together let us seize this opportunity to build a more inclusive and compassionate society in California, where every young person has the chance to thrive and overcome the obstacles that once been in their way. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Is there any additional support in the room? Please come on up and state your name and your affiliation.

Hello, Chair and Members of the Committee. Kristina Bas Hamilton. I'm representing the Economic Security Project Action, which is a proud co-sponsor of the Bill urging your support. Thank you.

Good afternoon. Yareli Magayon here today on behalf of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you.

Kim Lewis, representing the California Coalition for Youth in support.

Melissa Lovato on behalf of the County of Santa Clara, in support.

Thank you very much. Is there any opposition? Any opposition in the room? We'll go now for support on the phones. Is there any support on the phones?

Thank you. If you're in support, you may press one and then zero. We will go to line 11. Your line is open.

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Members. Gregory Kramer on behalf of Disability Rights California, in support.

Thank you. Line nine, your line is open.

Good afternoon, this is Danielle Wondra with Children Now, calling in support of SB 333.Thank you.

Thank you. Next, we'll go to line 12. Your line is open.

Good afternoon. Rebecca Gonzales with the National Association of Social Workers California chapter in support of SB 333. Thank you.

Thank you. Next we'll go to line 13. Your line is open.

Hi. Mary Creasy, on behalf of the Children's Partnership, in support.

Thank you. Line 10, your line is open.

Good afternoon. Lucy Salcito Carter with the Alameda County Office of Education in support.

Thank you. Line eight, your line is open.

Izzy Summer, on behalf of the city and county of San Francisco, in support. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, we have no further support in queue.

Okay, then we'll move on to opposition on the phone. Any opposition?

Thank you. If you're in opposition, you may press one and then zero. Again, that is one and then zero for any opposition. Mr. Chair, there are no opposition in queue.

Okay, then we'll bring it up to our Members. Assemblymember Bonta?

Thank you, Senator Cortese, for bringing this forward. We had an opportunity to talk about this when you had the brainchild for it. I just wanted to share that as part of the Northern California Promise Coalition, which I've been a part of in my previous work as well, we know that there's been randomized control trial around this idea of guaranteed income that has been very successful.

And it's incredibly important that we provide this bridge opportunity for people who are graduating from high school and want to be able to take in the next steps. I want to appreciate both of the witnesses who testified, and I'm definitely going to be in support of this, and if possible, would love to be able to join on as a co-author.

Any other Members at this time? Seeing none. Senator, would you like to close?

Thank you again, Mr. Chair and Members, and yes, we will get back to you, Assemblymember Bonta, I'd love to have you on as a co-author. And with that, I would respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Okay. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

The motion is due passed to the Assembly Education Committee. [Roll call]

6-0. The Bill is out. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Next up is SB 465, Senator Wahab. Welcome.

Thank you.

We got a motion. We have a second. You may begin when you're ready.

Alright, well, one, I do want to say that I am planning on taking the amendments provided by the Committee, so I just want to make that clear. But I'm here to present SB 465, which would require the California Department of Social Services to post on its website a list of ongoing resources available for refugees, such as services regarding mental health, public transportation, financial literacy, affordable housing, rental assistance programs, among many others.

I'm sure you guys have all seen in the news lately that people are being delivered to us by other states, and obviously, as the State of California, we need to do more. California is home to hundreds of refugees seeking assistance and resources following life changing and often traumatic experiences.

As programs for refugees and migrants and many more, such as the Afghan population and the Afghan Support and Investment Program, begin to expire, it is incumbent upon California to provide easy access to information about ongoing services and programs. The department's homepage does not make information on services for refugee families easily accessible. For example, the Refugees Program Bureau link is difficult to find and often redirects to the Afghan Arrival Response Program. The link needs to be more prominently displayed and directed to its own home page.

The California Department of Social Services cannot provide for all refugee needs, so it's understandable that their pages don't include information about the services that are administered at the county level or through other departments. A lot of the social services that are provided to communities are provided through the county. However, they can provide links to county pages, other departments, and federal websites where the services are provided. In fact, there is a welcome dot US page as well.

Many of you guys should take a look at that and see some of the services being provided to the new arrivals. SB 465 will facilitate greater ease in navigating state and county websites, so populations with unique immigrant challenges can better find the services and benefits they need. Thank you.

Okay, now we'll go to any witnesses. Is there any support in the room? Any opposition in the room? We'll go on to our phone lines. Is there any support on the phones?

Thank you. If you're in support, you may press one and then zero. We have no support in queue.

Any opposition on the phones?

Thank you. If your opposition, you may press one and then zero. And we have no opposition in queue.

Any questions or comments from Members of the Committee? Seeing none. She already said that. Yeah.

I'll just quickly say thank you for bringing forward this bill. The growing refugee population in my district in AD 18 is definitely going to be able to benefit from this.

I appreciate that. Thank you.

Okay. Would you like to close?

I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Alright. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

The motion is do pass as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Jackson. Aye. Jackson, aye. Sanchez. Sanchez, not voting. Alanis. Alanis, aye. Arambula. Arambula, aye. Bonta. Aye. Bonta, aye. Bryan. Bryan, aye. Calderon. Calderon, aye. Garcia.

Thank you.

Thank you, guys.

Six to zero. The bill is out.

We're moving on now to item number five, ACA 7, Jackson. Chair Jackson, you can proceed when you're ready.

Thank you very much. I present ACA 7, which would allow the Governor to approve Proposition 209 waiver applications from state and local entities to use state funds for the implementation of research based or research informed and culturally specific programs or interventions to increase the life expectancy of, improve educational outcomes for, or uplift out of poverty specific ethnic groups or marginalized populations.

Since voters approved Prop 209 in 1996, California has been severely limited in its ability to address systemic inequities with research backed best practices, further exacerbating disparities in public employment, public education and public contracting. Since the ratification of Proposition 209, we have seen gross educational achievement gaps. We have also seen opportunities where we know that best practices can be used that are culturally specific and appropriate, that has the best results. Unfortunately, our Constitution at this time does not allow for these best practices to occur.

So we are seeking to do a constitutional amendment to making sure that if it extends the life opportunities of particular populations, if it lifts particular populations out of poverty, we should allow for state and local governments to be able to ask for waivers so that we can make this happen. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. There are no primary witnesses in support on this bill, so we'll move to any additional support in the room.

Madam Chair and Members, I'm Brian Rivas on behalf of the Education Trust West. Happy to be here in support.

Thank you. We'll move to any support on the phone lines at this point. AT&T operator?

Thank you. For any support, you may press one and then zero. We will go to line 12. Your line is open.

Good afternoon. Rebecca Gonzales with the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter, in support.

Thank you. No further support in queue.

Thank you. We'll move now to any primary opposition. Seeing none. No witnesses for the opposition either. We'll move on to any opposition in the room. On the phone lines, AT&T operator.

Thank you. If you're in opposition, you may press one and then zero. And we have no opposition in queue.

Thank you, Chair Jackson. Bringing it back to the Committee for comment. Seeing none. Chair, you may close.

Thank you very much. Members, obviously, California is in a number of crises and we must make sure that we unlock all best practices that exist according to the research. And so I respectfully ask for an aye vote so we can continue to address the many crises California is facing.

Thank you. Is there a motion? A second? Thank you. Thank you. We'll call the roll now.

The motion is be adopted to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Jackson. Aye. Jackson, aye. Sanchez. Sanchez, no. Alanis. Alanis, no. Arambula. Arambula, aye. Bonta. Aye. Bonta, aye. Bryan. Bryan, aye. Calderon. Calderon, aye. Garcia.

That motion passes five to zero. Motion's out.

Thank you.

The ACA is out.

Okay, we are going to now move on to vote add ons. Once any member who has not made their way here to be able to cast your votes, please do so now. I believe everyone. Do we have any add ons right now? I think everyone already. Oh, why don't we just do any add ons, Madam Secretary.

On the consent calendar. Current vote six to zero. Alanis. Alanis, aye. Garcia. Current vote seven to zero.

Thank you all very much. Thank you.

Happy pride.

Again, anyone who wishes to add on, please make your way here to be able to do so. We will leave the roll open for 10 minutes. Thank you. So quiet. I know we haven't, Eric, we're still going get it. You're still in the running, Eric. Exactly 30 minutes. Oh, gosh. And Eric said, does anybody have a chance? No. Are they getting it? Yeah.

Actually, in case Mr. Garcia doesn't come in, we do need you to vote for it.

Alright, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

On the consent calendar. The current vote is seven to zero. Garcia. Garcia, aye. Final vote, eight to zero. File item one SB 333. The current vote is six to zero. Garcia. Garcia, aye. Final vote, seven to zero. File item three, SB 465. The current vote is six to zero. Garcia. Garcia, aye. Final vote, seven to zero. File item five, ACA 7. Current vote is five to two. Garcia. Garcia, aye. Final vote, six to two.

Alright, thank you very much. All members adding on this Committee hearing is adjourned.