SB 1051: Foster care: childcare.

Official summary

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

Existing law establishes the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, to be implemented at the discretion of each county, for the purpose of stabilizing foster children with families at the time of placement by providing a time-limited payment or voucher for childcare following the child’s placement, or for a child whose parent is in foster care, and by providing the family with a childcare navigator to assist the family in accessing long-term subsidized childcare.

Existing law, the Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Social Services, establishes a system of childcare and development services for children up to 13 years of age. Existing law establishes childcare resource and referral programs to serve a defined geographic area and provide prescribed services, including, making referrals to licensed child daycare facilities and the provision of childcare navigators to support children in foster care, children previously in foster care upon return to their home of origin, and children of parents involved in the child welfare system, including any child who meets the eligibility criteria for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children.

This bill would authorize childcare navigators to refer foster children to the county welfare department for eligibility and approval under the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, and would require participating county welfare departments to determine eligibility of that referred child for the program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 11461.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by Assembly Bill 2478 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2478 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“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 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1002, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1002, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
4. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. September 2, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
6. September 2, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
7. August 27, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 5954.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. August 27, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9. August 25, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
10. August 25, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
11. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6513.) Ordered to the Senate.
12. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6513.) Ordered to the Senate.