AB 2982

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The California Children and Families Act of 1998, an initiative measure approved by the voters as Proposition 10 at the November 3, 1998, statewide general election, requires that the California Children and Families Program, established by the act, be funded by certain surtaxes imposed on the sale and distribution of cigarettes and tobacco products and deposited into the California Children and Families Trust Fund, and that the fund be used for the implementation of comprehensive early childhood development and smoking prevention programs. Existing law establishes a state commission, the California Children and Families Commission, also known as First 5 California, with specified powers and duties relating to the administration of the act on a state level. Existing law establishes the California Health and Human Services Agency, which includes departments charged with the administration of health, social, and other human services. Existing law establishes the Early Childhood Policy Council to advise on statewide early learning and care policy. This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish, by March 1, 2025, a workgroup with specified membership, including members from First 5 county commissions, to create recommendations for a statewide comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-3 system agenda, as specified. The bill would require the workgroup to submit its recommendations to the administration and to the Legislature by January 31, 2026, and to provide updates to the Early Childhood Policy Council before that date.