§ 11331.5. — 11331.5. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 615, Sec. 5.)

California § 11331.5.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code WIC: Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC
• Div. 9.: DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
• Part 3.: PART 3. AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
• Ch. 2.: CHAPTER 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act
• Art. 3.5.: ARTICLE 3.5. Cal-Learn Program

Text

(a)
Recipients of aid under this chapter who are under 19 years of age, who are pregnant or custodial parents, shall be required to participate in the program, subject to both of the following requirements:
(1)
The teen shall participate in the program until earning a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(2)
The teen shall participate in the program as a student attending school on a full-time basis, as normally defined by the school in which the participant enrolls.
(b)
A teen, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d),
may continue to participate in the program provided for under this article. A teen participating under this article pursuant to this subdivision shall be eligible for the same benefits as is any individual required to participate in the program.
(c)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the county shall exempt a teen from the program, as verified by the county, subject to annual redetermination, when any of the following conditions occur:
(1)
The teen is expelled from school and obtains verification that no other school in the district will permit the teen to attend, and the case manager cannot arrange for enrollment in an alternative school.
(2)
The teen cannot receive payment for childcare or transportation expenses due to lack of program funding.
(3)
Childcare is necessary and unavailable.
(4)
Public or private transportation is necessary and unavailable.
(5)
A foster care payment is made under this chapter on behalf of the teen.
(6)
The teen has an illness, injury, or incapacity, as determined by a doctor’s verification, that substantially deprives the teen of the ability to meet program requirements or to be successful in earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, and an alternative education program cannot be arranged.
(7)
The teen is in a situation or a crisis that is destabilizing their family, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)
Homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness.
(B)
A lack of safety due to domestic violence.
(C)
Untreated or undertreated behavioral and mental health needs.
(D)
The
misuse of controlled substances or alcohol.
(d)
For the purposes of this article, “teen” or “teenage parent” means either of the following:
(1)
A custodial parent or pregnant person under 19 years of age, who is required to participate pursuant to subdivision (a).
(2)
A custodial parent or pregnant person 19 years of age who, prior to becoming 19 years of age, was participating in the program pursuant to subdivision (a), and who is otherwise eligible for voluntary continued participation in the program.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 615, Sec. 5. (SB 521) Effective January 1, 2024.