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

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's CalWORKs reform legislation revises how counties handle cases involving survivors of domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. The measure modifies waiver procedures for program requirements when compliance would impede a recipient's ability to escape abuse or maintain safety.

Counties must waive CalWORKs requirements for identified abuse survivors unless documented evidence shows the requirements would not hinder escape from abuse or unfairly penalize recipients. The legislation establishes notification timelines for waiver decisions, mandating that counties provide written explanations when denials occur. Waivers undergo reevaluation every six months, with more frequent reviews permitted only to consider additional welfare-to-work requirement waivers.

The Department of Social Services must develop standardized materials by July 2026 to help recipients identify and escape abuse, understand available resources, and navigate program requirements. These materials will detail confidentiality protections, safety planning options, and specialized support services. Counties must provide these resources verbally and in writing, supplemented with local service information. The department will integrate these materials into the BenefitsCal system for enhanced accessibility.

The measure requires annual legislative reporting on the number of CalWORKs recipients identified as abuse survivors, categorized by county and type of abuse. Counties must implement these changes through departmental guidance by July 2026, with final regulations due by January 2028.