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

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez proposes comprehensive modifications to CalWORKs' domestic abuse provisions, establishing new requirements for counties to waive program mandates when compliance would endanger abuse survivors or their children. The legislation requires counties to grant waivers when program requirements would impede escape from abuse or unfairly penalize survivors, with the recipient's own testimony considered sufficient evidence unless contradicted by other documentation.

The bill directs the Department of Social Services to develop standardized protocols and materials by January 2027, including uniform waiver request forms and detailed information about available services. Counties must provide these materials in recipients' preferred languages and supplement them with local resource information. The protocols will address confidentiality procedures, safety planning, and specialized support services tailored to survivors' needs.

Under the new provisions, counties must reevaluate waivers every six months and provide written notice when waivers are granted, denied, or terminated, including specific reasons for any denial. The department must report annually to the Legislature on the number of CalWORKs recipients identified as abuse survivors and detail actions taken to address their needs. These changes take effect January 1, 2028, or when the state's automated welfare system can support implementation, whichever occurs later.