Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a supportive housing program that provides wraparound services to mentally ill parolees at risk of homelessness using funding appropriated for that purpose. Existing law makes an inmate or parolee eligible for participation if he or she has a serious mental disorder, as specified, and has been assigned a release date from state prison and is likely to become homeless upon release or is currently a homeless parolee. Existing law requires providers to offer various services, including housing location services and rental subsidies and establishes criteria for housing that qualifies for the program. Existing law requires providers to report to the department regarding the intended outcomes of the program, including the number of participants served and the outcomes for participants. Existing law also requires the department to prepare an analysis of the information, as specified, and to annually submit, on or before February 1, the information and the analysis to the Chairs of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and other specified committees. This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2019, to create the Supportive Housing Pilot Program, which would be in effect at the same time as the existing program and would establish a process and timeline for finalizing a memorandum of understanding with one or more counties that elect to participate in which the department would agree to, among other things, refer eligible parolees to participating counties for mental health treatment, housing navigation services, and supportive housing services, and to pay for bridge rental assistance, as defined, and services in supportive housing during the program participant's term of parole. The participating counties would agree to provide community-based mental health treatment within the existing county Medi-Cal mental health program if ongoing treatment for the participant is medically necessary and to fund rental assistance and services, as specified. Among other things, the bill would establish criteria for housing for purposes of the program. The bill would require a participating county to report to the department regarding the intended outcomes of the program, and would require the information to include the number who were arrested while participating in the program and the number residing in a county jail. The bill would require the department, on or before June 30, 2021, to seek and contract with an independent evaluator to prepare an analysis of the information, as specified, and to submit the information and the analysis to the Chairs of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and other specified committees no later than January 1, 2023. The bill would require the department to implement the program using funding appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes described in the program. The bill would also include a statement of legislative findings and declarations.
Sponsored bills
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law requires the department to exercise its option under federal law to implement a program for aged and disabled persons, as described. Existing law requires an individual under these provisions to satisfy certain financial eligibility requirements, including, among other things, that his or her countable income does not exceed an income standard equal to 100% of the applicable federal poverty level, plus an income disregard of $230 for an individual, or $310 in the case of a couple, except that the income standard determined shall not be less than the SSI/SSP payment level for a disabled individual or couple, as applicable. Existing law authorizes the department to implement this program by means of all-county letters or similar instructions without taking regulatory action and thereafter requires the department to adopt regulations. This bill would instead require, upon receipt of federal approval, all countable income over 100% of the federal poverty level, up to 138% of the federal poverty level, to be disregarded, after taking all other disregards, deductions, and exclusions into account for those persons eligible under the program for aged and disabled persons. The bill would provide that the income level determined based on a countable income that does not exceed an income level equal to 100% of the applicable federal poverty level, plus an income disregard of $230 for an individual, or $310 in the case of a couple, shall not be less than the SSI/SSP payment level the individual or couple, as applicable, receives or would receive as a disabled or blind individual or couple. The bill would require a specified provision to be implemented after the Director of Health Care Services determines, and communicates that determination in writing to the Department of Finance, that systems have been programmed for implementation of that provision, but no sooner than January 1, 2019. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific the above-described program for aged and disabled persons by means of all-county letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until regulations are adopted, and would require the department to adopt regulations no later than July 1, 2022. The bill would require the department to provide a status report on a semiannual basis to the Legislature until regulations have been adopted. The bill would provide that the program shall be implemented only if and to the extent that any necessary federal approvals have been obtained. Because counties are required to make Medi-Cal eligibility determinations, and this bill would expand Medi-Cal eligibility by increasing the income disregard amounts and would increase the responsibility of counties in determining Medi-Cal eligibility, the 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, 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 the statutory provisions noted above.
This measure would declare the intent of the Legislature to further support the housing needs of individuals with developmental disabilities by exploring models that facilitate the private donation of homes in perpetuity and would recognize the work of organizations that have developed a property donation program.
This measure would recognize the history and significance of the Eagle Staff to Native American tribes. The measure would express the Legislature's commitment to inclusiveness for all Native Americans and respect for the traditions and symbolism of the Eagle Staff and would urge state government departments to incorporate these principles into their policies and practices.
This measure would proclaim June 2018 as California Grown Flower Month to recognize and honor the people of the California grown flower industry for their dedication and productivity.
This measure would, among other things, mark June 25, 2018, as the 68th anniversary of the Korean War and encourage participants in specified discussions regarding North and South Korea to have a sincere intention of achieving peace in the region.