CalWORKs benefits: lifetime ban.

Existing federal law provides for the 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, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families through a combination of state, county, and federal funds received through the federal TANF program. Under federal law, an individual convicted under federal or state law of an offense that is classified as a felony by the law of the jurisdiction involved, and that has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined, shall not be eligible for assistance under a state program funded under provisions of federal law regarding the TANF program. Existing law authorizes a state to exempt individuals domiciled in the state from this prohibition. Existing state law provides that an individual who has been convicted in state or federal court of a felony that has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined under federal law or the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, is ineligible for aid under the CalWORKs program. This bill would delete the existing provisions, and would instead provide that a person convicted of a drug-related felony shall be eligible to receive CalWORKs benefits if he or she meets certain conditions of eligibility. The bill also would make a conforming change. Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program. This bill would instead provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill. By revising and expanding standards of eligibility for benefits under the CalWORKs program, this bill would increase the responsibilities of counties, and 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, 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 these statutory provisions.