California Antihunger Response and Employment Training Act of 2026.
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Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the California Antihunger Response and Employment Training Act of 2026, aims to address food insecurity in California by creating a new state-funded program called CARET. CARET will provide benefits to individuals who have been ineligible for CalFresh due to the federal ABAWD time limit and who are also ineligible for a percentage exemption. The bill also expands the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to include more individuals, specifically those ineligible for CalFresh due to their immigration status or humanitarian status, and repeals certain provisions related to federal benefit requirements for CFAP.
Key provisions
- Establishes the California Antihunger Response and Employment Training (CARET) program to provide benefits to CalFresh-ineligible individuals due to the ABAWD time limit.
- Makes CARET recipients eligible for CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program benefits.
- Expands the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to include individuals ineligible for CalFresh due to immigration status or humanitarian status.
- Repeals the requirement for CFAP to be implemented only during periods when specific federal benefits are provided.
- Authorizes the Department of Social Services to issue guidance to maximize percentage exemptions for CalFresh benefits.
- Requires the issuance of CARET benefits through an electronic benefits transfer system.
- Requires the Department of Social Services to develop guidance on percentage exemptions.
- Requires the Department of Social Services to establish the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
Bill text
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Sponsors
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12 on record
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