SB 18

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law provides for the care and welfare of children and youth in various contexts, including, but not limited to, child welfare services, foster care, health care, nutrition, homeless assistance, and education. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 80 of the 2009–10 Regular Session states the Legislature's support for a Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of California that resolves to invest in all children and youth in order to achieve specified goals, including having safe and healthy environments. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to the needs and well-being of children and youth in California. The bill would create, until November 30, 2024, the Joint Legislative Committee on Children and Youth, with 18 members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly, as specified. The bill would require the committee to develop "California's Promise to its Children and Youth," a framework for the care and welfare of children and youth in various contexts, including, but not limited to, health care, nutrition, homeless assistance, education, and foster care, as specified. The bill would require the committee to consider an unspecified Senate Concurrent Resolution, the Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of California, if it is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2018, for purposes of developing the framework. This bill would require the Senate Committee on Rules to make money available from the Senate Operating Fund, as it deems necessary, for the expenses of the committee and its members. The bill would require the committee to report to the Legislature on its activities at the close of each legislative session. The bill would require the committee, by November 30, 2020, to develop a plan to implement the framework by January 1, 2024, and to identify and propose comprehensive tax reform solutions to increase revenue predictability and ensure sufficiency of revenues adequate to support the implementation of the framework, as specified. This bill would make the provisions relating to the committee inoperative on November 30, 2024, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2025.