Community colleges: CalWORKs Recipients Education Program: eligibility and services.

Assembly Member Bryan, joined by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins, proposes expanding California's community college CalWORKs Recipients Education Program to include students who have exceeded their 60-month CalWORKs cash aid limit but have dependents still receiving aid. The legislation modifies program funding parameters and available support services within the California Community Colleges system.

The bill authorizes community colleges to provide direct aid for basic needs and removes previous time restrictions on subsidized campus childcare for program participants. For work-study positions, colleges may waive the current 25% employer wage contribution requirement if the total number of positions remains stable. The legislation maintains existing educational support services while adding flexibility in how colleges can allocate program funds.

To implement these changes, community colleges must submit detailed curriculum plans demonstrating labor market demand and collaboration with county welfare departments and local employers. The Chancellor's office will continue overseeing fund distribution based on enrollment numbers and program scope, with colleges required to report participation data, expenditures, and outcomes annually by February 15. The Commission on State Mandates will determine whether these modifications constitute reimbursable state-mandated costs for local agencies.