AB-79
Social Services

Public social services: higher education.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new training program to help college students access public assistance programs more effectively.
  • Requires counties to designate staff liaisons who connect college students with social services resources.
  • Creates a statewide workgroup to improve coordination between colleges and county service agencies.
  • Mandates regular reporting on student enrollment trends in public assistance programs starting May 2027.

Summary

Assembly Member Arambula's legislation aims to enhance coordination between county human services agencies and public higher education institutions in California through new protocols and training requirements. The bill modifies existing requirements for county staff liaisons who serve as points of contact between human services agencies and campus counselors.

Under the proposed changes, county agencies must incorporate input from campus basic needs directors and coordinators when developing engagement protocols with public higher education institutions. The State Department of Social Services would create specialized training on public assistance programs, focusing on student-specific considerations like financial aid impacts and eligibility criteria. This training would be available to basic needs staff, campus personnel, and eligibility workers.

The legislation establishes a quarterly workgroup comprising county liaisons, campus representatives, and higher education system officials to address challenges and share effective practices. The department must submit reports to the Legislature every three years beginning May 2027, documenting enrollment patterns and program accessibility for college students. The bill maintains existing confidentiality requirements while allowing counties to implement changes through administrative guidance rather than formal rulemaking.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2100
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Education] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 79 Arambula Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Higher Education] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
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Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2150
Public social services: higher education.
February 2024
Failed
Public social services: county liaison for higher education.
February 2021
Passed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Joaquin Arambula
Joaquin ArambulaD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 30, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5005PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new training program to help college students access public assistance programs more effectively.
  • Requires counties to designate staff liaisons who connect college students with social services resources.
  • Creates a statewide workgroup to improve coordination between colleges and county service agencies.
  • Mandates regular reporting on student enrollment trends in public assistance programs starting May 2027.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Joaquin Arambula
Joaquin ArambulaD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Arambula's legislation aims to enhance coordination between county human services agencies and public higher education institutions in California through new protocols and training requirements. The bill modifies existing requirements for county staff liaisons who serve as points of contact between human services agencies and campus counselors.

Under the proposed changes, county agencies must incorporate input from campus basic needs directors and coordinators when developing engagement protocols with public higher education institutions. The State Department of Social Services would create specialized training on public assistance programs, focusing on student-specific considerations like financial aid impacts and eligibility criteria. This training would be available to basic needs staff, campus personnel, and eligibility workers.

The legislation establishes a quarterly workgroup comprising county liaisons, campus representatives, and higher education system officials to address challenges and share effective practices. The department must submit reports to the Legislature every three years beginning May 2027, documenting enrollment patterns and program accessibility for college students. The bill maintains existing confidentiality requirements while allowing counties to implement changes through administrative guidance rather than formal rulemaking.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2100
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Education] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 79 Arambula Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Higher Education] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 30, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5005PASS

Contacts

Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2150
Public social services: higher education.
February 2024
Failed
Public social services: county liaison for higher education.
February 2021
Passed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1