Asm. Ash Kalra

Existing law provides for the State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (SSP) , which requires the State Department of Social Services to contract with the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to SSP recipients to supplement Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments made available pursuant to the federal Social Security Act. Under existing law, benefit payments under SSP are calculated by establishing the maximum level of nonexempt income and federal SSI and state SSP benefits for each category of eligible recipient, with an annual cost-of-living adjustment, effective January 1 of each year. Existing law prohibits, for each calendar year, commencing with the 2011 calendar year, any cost-of-living adjustment from being made to the maximum benefit payment unless otherwise specified by statute, except for the pass along of any cost-of-living increase in the federal SSI benefits. Existing law continuously appropriates funds for the implementation of SSP. This bill would reinstate the cost-of-living adjustment beginning January 1 of the 2020 calendar year. The bill would also require a maximum aid payment provided to an individual or a married couple that does not equal or exceed 100% of the 2019 federal poverty level to be increased to an amount that equals 100% of the federal poverty level. By reinstating the cost-of-living adjustment and by increasing the amount of benefits paid under the SSP, this bill would make an appropriation.

Existing law, the Ralph C. Dills Act (Dills Act) , governs collective bargaining between the state and recognized state public employee organizations. Existing law excludes certain employees from coverage under the Dills Act, including, among others, managerial employees, supervisory employees, and confidential employees, as defined. Existing law creates the Public Employment Relations Board and authorizes it, among other things, to determine appropriate state employee bargaining units, as specified. This bill would enact the Legislature Employer-Employee Relations Act, to provide employees of the Legislature, including some supervisory and managerial employees, the right to form, join, and participate in the activities of employee organizations of their own choosing for the purpose of representation on all matters of employer-employee relations. The bill would prescribe rights, duties, and prohibitions in this context that parallel those in the Dills Act. The bill would prohibit the Public Employment Relations Board from including employees of the Legislature in a bargaining unit that includes employees other than those of the Legislature. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person to willfully resist, prevent, impede, or interfere with any member of the board, or any of its agents, in the performance of duties pursuant to its provisions. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would provide that the provisions of the Legislature Employer-Employee Relations Act are severable. 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.

Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to establish an Office of Health Equity for the purpose of aligning state resources, decisionmaking, and programs to accomplish specified goals, including, among other things, to advise and assist other state departments in their mission to increase access to, and the quality of, culturally and linguistically competent health and mental health care and services and to improve the health status of all populations and places, with a priority on eliminating health and mental health disparities and inequities. This bill would also require the office to advise and assist other state departments in their mission to increase the general well-being of all Californians, and would require the office to work toward eliminating adverse childhood experiences. The bill would require the office to advise the Governor on a comprehensive approach to addressing health risks and challenges as effectively and early as possible. Existing law requires the Governor or the State Public Health Officer to appoint a Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity, subject to the confirmation of the Senate. Existing law requires the deputy director to report to the State Public Health Officer and to work closely with the Director of Health Care Services to ensure compliance with the requirements of the office's strategic plans, policies, and implementation activities. By executive order, the Governor established the position of Surgeon General, as a public entity within the Governor's direct executive authority, to advise the Governor on a comprehensive approach to addressing health risks and challenges as effectively and as early as possible. The executive order prescribes the qualifications of the Surgeon General and sets forth specified duties of the Surgeon General. This bill would codify provisions of the executive order to require the Governor to appoint a Surgeon General. The bill would prescribe the qualifications of the Surgeon General consistent with the executive order. Under the bill, the Surgeon General would oversee the office and would serve a 4-year term to run concurrently with the term of the Governor. The bill would make the appointment subject to confirmation by the Senate, beginning January 2023. The bill would require the Surgeon General to report to the Governor and to work closely with the State Public Health Officer and the Director of Health Care Services to ensure compliance with the requirements of the office's strategic plans, policies, and implementation activities. The bill would eliminate the position of Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity, and would, instead, require the Governor to appoint a deputy director to report to the Surgeon General and to work closely with the State Public Health Officer and the Director of Health Care Services to ensure compliance with the requirements of the office's strategic plans, policies, and implementation activities.

Existing property tax law, in accordance with the California Constitution, provides for a "welfare exemption" for property used exclusively for religious, hospital, scientific, or charitable purposes and that is owned or operated by certain types of nonprofit entities, if certain qualifying criteria are met. Under existing property tax law, property that meets these requirements that is used exclusively for rental housing and related facilities is entitled to a partial exemption, equal to that percentage of the value of the property that is equal to the percentage that the number of units serving lower income households represents of the total number of residential units, in any year that any of certain criteria apply. This bill, on and after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2025, would provide a similar exemption for qualified property, as defined, that meets the requirements of the welfare exemption and that is used exclusively for rental housing and related facilities, equal to that percentage of the value of the property that is equal to the percentage that the number of units serving moderate-income households, as defined, represents of the total number of residential units. The bill would require the owner of the property to certify specified information under penalty of perjury. By imposing new duties upon local government officials with respect to the exemption provided by this bill, and by expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Legislative Analyst to, on an annual basis beginning January 1, 2021, and until January 1, 2026, collaborate with the State Board of Equalization to review the effectiveness of the exemption, as provided, and to submit a report of their review to the Legislature. The bill would require, for these purposes, the State Board of Equalization to make information available to the Legislative Analyst upon request and each county assessor to make information available to the State Board of Equalization upon request. 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. Existing law requires the state to reimburse local agencies annually for certain property tax revenues lost as a result of any exemption or classification of property for purposes of ad valorem property taxation. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding those provisions, no appropriation is made and the state shall not reimburse local agencies for property tax revenues lost by them pursuant to the bill. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) for any individual under 21 years of age who is covered under the Medi-Cal program, consistent with certain federal requirements. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law requires the department to convene an advisory working group to update, amend, or develop, if appropriate, tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma, within the EPSDT benefit. Existing law requires that the group be disbanded on December 31, 2019, and requires, on or before May 1, 2019, the department to identify an existing advisory working group to periodically review and consider the protocols for the screening of trauma in children at least once every 5 years, or upon the request of the department. This bill would require the department, in order to ensure the success and sustainability of trauma screenings for children as part of the EPSDT benefit, to provide trainings for certain personnel, including, among other things, instruction on how to identify and make appropriate referrals for patients who have tested positive in trauma screenings. The bill would require the department to create specified codes for the administration of, and compliance with, trauma screening requirements, and to submit a related annual report to the Legislature. The bill would require the department to evaluate the potential for integrating current tools used by the department with validated trauma screening tools to produce a single, validated tool, and to report the department's findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2023. The bill would require the implementation of these provisions only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation is not jeopardized and all necessary federal approvals have been obtained.

(1) Existing law authorizes a development proponent to submit an application for a multifamily housing development that satisfies specified planning objective standards to be subject to a streamlined, ministerial approval process, as provided, and not subject to a conditional use permit. This bill would authorize a development proponent of a neighborhood multifamily project located on an eligible parcel to submit an application for a streamlined, ministerial approval process that is not subject to a conditional use permit. The bill would define a "neighborhood multifamily project" to mean a project to construct a multifamily structure on vacant land, or to convert an existing structure that does not require substantial exterior alteration into a multifamily structure, consisting of up to 4 residential dwelling units and that meets local height, setback, and lot coverage zoning requirements as they existed on July 1, 2019. The bill would also define "eligible parcel" to mean a parcel that meets specified requirements, including requirements relating to the location of the parcel and restricting the demolition of certain housing development that may already exist on the site. This bill would require a local agency to notify the development proponent in writing if the local agency determines that the development conflicts with any of the requirements provided for streamlined ministerial approval within 60 days of the submission of the development to the local agency. If the local agency does not notify the development proponent within this time period, the development would be deemed to comply with those requirements. The bill would limit the authority of a local agency to impose parking standards or requirements on a streamlined development approved pursuant to these provisions, as provided. The bill would provide that the approval of a project under these provisions expires automatically after 3 years, unless that project qualifies for a one-time, one-year extension of that approval. The bill would provide that approval pursuant to its provisions would remain valid for 3 years and remain valid thereafter, so long as vertical construction of the development has begun and is in progress, and would authorize a discretionary one-year extension, as provided. The bill would prohibit a local agency from adopting any requirement that applies to a project solely or partially on the basis that the project receives ministerial or streamlined approval pursuant to these provisions. This bill would allow a local agency to exempt a project from the streamlined ministerial approval process described above by finding that the project will cause a specific adverse impact to public health and safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the adverse impact. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment. CEQA does not apply to the approval of ministerial projects. This bill would establish a streamlined ministerial approval process for neighborhood multifamily projects, thereby exempting these projects from the CEQA approval process. (2) Existing law, known as the density bonus law, requires, when an applicant proposes a housing development within the jurisdiction of a local government, that the city, county, or city and county provide the developer with a density bonus and other incentives or concessions for the production of lower income housing units or for the donation of land within the development if the developer, among other things, agrees to construct a specified percentage of units for very low, low-, or moderate-income households or qualifying residents. This bill, on or after January 1, 2023, would require a specified city, county, or city and county to grant upon request an equitable communities incentive when a development proponent seeks and agrees to construct a residential development, as defined, that satisfies specified criteria, including, among other things, that the residential development is either a job-rich housing project or a transit-rich housing project, as those terms are defined; the site does not contain, or has not contained, housing occupied by tenants or accommodations withdrawn from rent or lease in accordance with specified law within specified time periods; and the residential development complies with specified additional requirements under existing law. The bill would impose additional requirements on a residential development located within a county with a population equal to or less than 600,000. The bill would require that a residential development within a county with a population greater than 600,000 that is eligible for an equitable communities incentive receive, upon request, waivers from maximum controls on density; minimum automobile parking requirements greater than 0.5 parking spots per unit; and specified additional waivers if the residential development is located within a 12-mile or 14-mile radius of a major transit stop, as defined. For a residential development within a county with a population equal to or less than 600,000, the bill would instead require that the incentive provide waivers from maximum controls on density, subject to certain limitations; maximum height limitations less than or equal to one story, or 15 feet, above the highest allowable height for mixed use or residential use; certain requirements governing the size of the parcel and the area that the building may occupy; and minimum automobile parking requirements, as provided. The bill would require a local government to grant an equitable communities incentive unless it makes a specified finding regarding the effects of the incentive on any real property or historic district that is listed on a federal or state register of historical resources. The bill would authorize a local government to modify or expand the terms of an equitable communities incentive, provided that the equitable communities incentive is consistent with these provisions. The bill would delay implementation of these provisions in potentially sensitive communities, as defined, until July 1, 2023. The bill would further delay implementation of these provisions in sensitive communities, determined as provided, until January 1, 2026, unless the city or county in which the area is located votes to make these provisions applicable after a specified petition and public hearing process. On and after January 1, 2026, the bill would apply these provisions to a sensitive community unless the city or county adopts a community plan for the area that meets certain requirements. The bill would also exempt from these provisions a local government that has a local flexibility plan that has been reviewed and certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development, as specified. The bill, on or before July 1, 2021, would require the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, to develop and publish on its internet website rules, regulations, or guidelines for the submission and approval of a local flexibility plan, as specified. The bill, on or after July 1, 2021, would authorize a local government to submit a local flexibility plan for review and approval by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to those rules, regulations, or guidelines. The bill would include findings that the changes proposed by these provisions address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. The Housing Accountability Act prohibits a local agency from disapproving, or conditioning approval in a manner that renders infeasible, a housing development project that complies with applicable, objective general plan, zoning, and subdivision standards and criteria in effect at the time the application for the project is deemed complete unless the local agency makes specified written findings based on a preponderance of the evidence in the record. That law provides that the receipt of a density bonus is not a valid basis on which to find a proposed housing development is inconsistent, not in compliance, or not in conformity with an applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision of that act. This bill would additionally provide that the receipt of an equitable communities incentive is not a valid basis on which to find a proposed housing development is inconsistent, not in compliance, or not in conformity with an applicable plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision of that act. (3) By adding to the duties of local planning officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) 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.

Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and charges it with certain duties and powers, including, among other things, the operation of prisons and other specified institutions. This bill would require the department to establish a Peace Officer Peer Support Labor Management Committee tasked with crafting, updating, and monitoring the implementation of a standardized statewide peace officer policy for the department's peer support program to provide substantive assistance to the peace officers employed by the department. The bill would require the committee to be composed of an equal number of representatives of the employer and peace officer employees, and would require the members of the committee to be selected and hold their first meeting on or before July 1, 2020. The bill would require the policy to address, among other things, the selection process and training for peer support team members, and guidelines for the types of communication that would remain confidential within the peer support program. The bill would require the policy to be fully implemented by January 1, 2022. The bill would require the department to submit, beginning July 1, 2020, an annual report to the Legislature that contains data pertaining to the utilization rates of the peace officer peer support program statewide.

Existing law establishes the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, which is maintained by the State Department of Education and consists of pupil data regarding demographics, program participation, enrollment, and statewide assessments. Existing law requires a local educational agency to retain individual pupil records for pupils who take certain state assessments, including, among other records, a unique pupil identification number, as provided. Existing law requires the department to establish a process by which local educational agencies issue, maintain, and report information using the unique statewide pupil identifier, referenced above, for state and federally funded center-based childcare and development programs, as provided. This bill would require the department, in consultation with the California Health and Human Services Agency, no later than January 1, 2021, to establish a process by which early childhood education information for children enrolled in state or federally funded center-based childcare and development programs is linked to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, as provided. The bill would authorize a local educational agency to request a statewide pupil identifier for children enrolled in early childhood education programs under their purview that are state or federally funded childcare and development programs and would require those pupil identifiers to be submitted to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System. The bill would require a local educational agency that requests statewide pupil identifiers to maintain the pupil identifiers as required by the department on behalf of an applicant or contracting agency, as defined, that is not a local educational agency and that is operating a state or federally funded childcare and development program within the county in the jurisdiction of the local educational agency.

Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to implement and maintain procedures to identify inmates serving terms in state prison who are undocumented aliens subject to deportation. Existing law requires the department to cooperate with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service by providing the use of prison facilities, transportation, and general support, as needed, for the purposes of conducting and expediting deportation hearings and subsequent placement of deportation holds on undocumented aliens who are incarcerated in state prison. This bill would prohibit an officer, employee, contractor, or employee of a contractor of the department from facilitating or allowing entry to the department's premises, or otherwise authorizing an employee or contractor of a private security company to arrest, detain, interrogate, transport, or take into custody, an individual in the department's custody or on the department's premises for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill would also prohibit those department representatives from coordinating with an employee or contractor of a private security company to interrogate parolees for immigration purposes and would prohibit those department representatives from transferring an individual in the department's custody to another state prison within 90 days of the individual's release date, except in an emergency or for special housing.