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    AB-969
    Social Services

    CalWORKs: family violence option and gender-based violence information.

    Enrolled
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands waivers for abuse victims to protect safety and escape.
    • Requires uniform statewide information and a standardized waiver form.
    • Establishes protocols by Jan 1, 2027 and operability by 2028 or SWWS readiness.
    • Requires annual reporting on abuse-identified CalWORKs recipients.

    Summary

    AssemblyMember Celeste Rodriguez, with coauthor Senator Durazo, advances a measure that ties CalWORKs protections for abuse survivors to federal family violence protections and broadens the use of waivers for past or present victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. The core changes would expand the circumstances under which counties may waive CalWORKs program requirements for applicants or recipients identified as abuse survivors, and would require the creation of uniform statewide information materials and a standardized waiver request form. The bill frames these changes as mechanisms to address safety and decision-making for survivors while outlining processes to tailor welfare-to-work plans to individual circumstances.

    Key mechanisms include a requirement that the Department of Social Services align CalWORKs with the federal family violence option to the fullest extent permitted, and by early in the next several years develop protocols for handling abuse cases. These protocols would cover identifying abuse victims (including self-identification with confidentiality protections), referring them to supportive services, and waiving program requirements on a case-by-case basis for as long as necessary. The measure also mandates written notice of waiver determinations and timely notices when waivers are discontinued, and it directs counties to reevaluate waivers at least every six months. A statewide standard for determining good cause, developed in collaboration with counties, advocates, and survivor representatives, would guide eligibility, with protections against denying waivers based on participation in certain services or voluntary engagement in welfare-to-work activities.

    The bill adds a uniform information framework and waiver form to be used statewide, requiring materials that explain available resources, confidentiality, waivers and how to request them, safety planning, and how welfare-to-work plans can be tailored for survivors, including information for noncitizen abuse survivors. Materials and the waiver form would be provided in the applicant’s or recipient’s language, with supplementary local resources, and interim implementation would rely on all-county letters until regulations are adopted. Several provisions become operative only upon automation readiness for the Statewide Automated Welfare System, or on January 1, 2028, whichever date is later, creating a phased path to full implementation alongside the automation timeline.

    Beyond direct program changes, the measure requires annual reporting to the Legislature detailing the number of CalWORKs recipients identified as abuse victims and survivors by county, and actions taken to address survivors’ needs, while clarifying that any state-mandated local costs would be reimbursed under existing procedures if the Commission on State Mandates finds a mandate exists. The Department of Social Services would oversee protocol development, statewide standards, and the creation of statewide materials, with counties responsible for delivery and administration, including language access, confidentiality, and notice requirements. The proposal thus situates CalWORKs within a federal-aligned framework, adds structured supports for abuse survivors, and embeds a staged implementation tied to automation progress and ongoing reporting.

    Key Dates

    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 969 Celeste Rodriguez Concurrence in Senate Amendments
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Special Consent AB969 Celeste Rodriguez By Durazo
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Human Services Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Human Services Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 969 Celeste Rodriguez Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Celeste RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 2 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Celeste RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    CalWORKs: victims of domestic violence.
    February 2014
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalWORKs eligibility: domestic violence.
    February 2013
    Failed
    View Bill
    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

    Celeste Rodriguez
    Celeste RodriguezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Maria Durazo
    Maria DurazoD
    California State Senator
    70% progression
    Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/12/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    September 12, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    800080PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands waivers for abuse victims to protect safety and escape.
    • Requires uniform statewide information and a standardized waiver form.
    • Establishes protocols by Jan 1, 2027 and operability by 2028 or SWWS readiness.
    • Requires annual reporting on abuse-identified CalWORKs recipients.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Celeste Rodriguez
    Celeste RodriguezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Maria Durazo
    Maria DurazoD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    AssemblyMember Celeste Rodriguez, with coauthor Senator Durazo, advances a measure that ties CalWORKs protections for abuse survivors to federal family violence protections and broadens the use of waivers for past or present victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. The core changes would expand the circumstances under which counties may waive CalWORKs program requirements for applicants or recipients identified as abuse survivors, and would require the creation of uniform statewide information materials and a standardized waiver request form. The bill frames these changes as mechanisms to address safety and decision-making for survivors while outlining processes to tailor welfare-to-work plans to individual circumstances.

    Key mechanisms include a requirement that the Department of Social Services align CalWORKs with the federal family violence option to the fullest extent permitted, and by early in the next several years develop protocols for handling abuse cases. These protocols would cover identifying abuse victims (including self-identification with confidentiality protections), referring them to supportive services, and waiving program requirements on a case-by-case basis for as long as necessary. The measure also mandates written notice of waiver determinations and timely notices when waivers are discontinued, and it directs counties to reevaluate waivers at least every six months. A statewide standard for determining good cause, developed in collaboration with counties, advocates, and survivor representatives, would guide eligibility, with protections against denying waivers based on participation in certain services or voluntary engagement in welfare-to-work activities.

    The bill adds a uniform information framework and waiver form to be used statewide, requiring materials that explain available resources, confidentiality, waivers and how to request them, safety planning, and how welfare-to-work plans can be tailored for survivors, including information for noncitizen abuse survivors. Materials and the waiver form would be provided in the applicant’s or recipient’s language, with supplementary local resources, and interim implementation would rely on all-county letters until regulations are adopted. Several provisions become operative only upon automation readiness for the Statewide Automated Welfare System, or on January 1, 2028, whichever date is later, creating a phased path to full implementation alongside the automation timeline.

    Beyond direct program changes, the measure requires annual reporting to the Legislature detailing the number of CalWORKs recipients identified as abuse victims and survivors by county, and actions taken to address survivors’ needs, while clarifying that any state-mandated local costs would be reimbursed under existing procedures if the Commission on State Mandates finds a mandate exists. The Department of Social Services would oversee protocol development, statewide standards, and the creation of statewide materials, with counties responsible for delivery and administration, including language access, confidentiality, and notice requirements. The proposal thus situates CalWORKs within a federal-aligned framework, adds structured supports for abuse survivors, and embeds a staged implementation tied to automation progress and ongoing reporting.

    70% progression
    Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/12/2025)

    Key Dates

    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 969 Celeste Rodriguez Concurrence in Senate Amendments
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Special Consent AB969 Celeste Rodriguez By Durazo
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Human Services Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Human Services Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 969 Celeste Rodriguez Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    September 12, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    800080PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Celeste RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 2 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Celeste RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    CalWORKs: victims of domestic violence.
    February 2014
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalWORKs eligibility: domestic violence.
    February 2013
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 2 of 2 items
    Page 1 of 1