CalWORKs eligibility: fraudulent representations: fines.

Existing federal law provides for allocation of federal funds through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program to eligible states. Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program for the allocation of federal funds received through the TANF program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Existing law establishes criminal penalties, including the imposition of specified fines, for violation of certain provisions relating to, among other offenses, willfully and knowingly making a false statement or failing to disclose a material fact in order to obtain designated public social services, including the CalWORKs program benefits. This bill, when an applicant or recipient commits specified offenses in connection with applying for or receiving CalWORKs benefits, would require that the fine applicable under existing law be doubled, and would require the additional amount collected as required by the bill be paid to the county treasurer in the county in which the judgment is entered. The bill would require the county treasurer to deposit half of the amount received pursuant to the bill into the county general fund and the other half into the appropriate account for the benefit of the county district attorney's office or the county's Special Investigative Unit (SIU) established for the purpose of investigating welfare fraud. By changing the penalty for certain crimes, and by increasing duties of county treasurers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.