AB 1655: CalWORKs: temporary absence: immigration detention.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which, through a combination of federal, state, and county funds, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families.

Existing law sets forth provisions for the calculation of the amount of CalWORKs aid eligible to a household based in part on the size of the assistance unit. Under existing law and CalWORKs rules, aid is not affected for a member of the assistance unit who is temporarily absent from the home, and a child who is a patient in a public or private hospital for medical or surgical care is considered temporarily absent from the home for the duration of the hospital stay.

Under this bill, beginning July 1, 2027, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automations, whichever is later, a child or other member of the assistance unit who is detained in a federal immigration detention facility would be considered temporarily absent from the home for the duration of the detention. Under the bill, the assistance unit would remain eligible to continue receive assistance and services if specified conditions are met, including that the remaining members of the assistance unit continue to meet eligibility requirements. The bill would authorize any written sworn statement by the applicant or recipient to be sufficient to establish that a member of the assistance unit has been detained in an immigration detention facility. The bill would authorize the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted. The bill would make related legislative findings.

By creating new duties for counties relating to expanded eligibility under CalWORKS, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program.

This bill would instead provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of the bill.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 29, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 742, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 29, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 742, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 29, 2026Approved by the Governor.
4. September 29, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. August 31, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
6. August 31, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
7. August 25, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 62. Noes 11. Page 6447.).
8. August 25, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 62. Noes 11. Page 6447.).
9. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
10. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
11. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 28. Noes 10. Page 5584.).
12. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 28. Noes 10.).