AB 1829: Community colleges: CalWORKs Recipients Education Program: services.

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 each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals using federal, state, and county funds. Existing law establishes the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (program) in the California Community Colleges under which community college districts are required to provide educational services and special services to recipients of aid under CalWORKs who are attending a community college, to the extent funding is provided in the annual Budget Act. Existing law requires special services for CalWORKs recipients to assist CalWORKs recipient students and those students transitioning off of CalWORKs in achieving long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student services offered at a community college. Existing law authorizes those special services to include workstudy. Existing law prohibits program payments to an employer for workstudy from exceeding 75% of the wage for the workstudy positions and requires an employer to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions.

This bill would add direct aid designed to meet basic needs and services, as described, as a special service for which program funds may be used. The bill would also require special services for CalWORKs recipients to assist CalWORKs recipient students and those students transitioning off of CalWORKs in achieving economic mobility through coordinated student services offered at a community college. The bill would authorize programs to waive the requirement that an employer pay at least 25% of the wage for workstudy positions if the number of on-campus and off-campus workstudy positions will not decrease. By expanding program services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

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 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 550, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 28, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. August 24, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 1. Page 6406.).
5. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
7. August 18, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
8. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).
9. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. June 22, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
11. June 8, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. June 4, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 3).