Senate Human Services Committee approves SB 792 to align child‑care income limits, extend fee exemptions

The Senate Committee on Human Services on Sept. 10 voted 5-0 to concur in Assembly amendments and pass Senate Bill 792 to the floor, advancing a measure that updates income eligibility and attendance rules across California child‑care and development programs.

Sen. Ari Gwynn, who presented the bill to the committee, said SB 792 “will align the disenrollment income eligibility threshold across the childcare and development programs administered by the California Department of Social Services from 70% to 85% of the area median income.” He added that the bill “clarifies that for reimbursement purposes, attendance includes excused absences for medical and educational appointments and days when a provider is required to hold a child's space while the family is presumed to have abandoned care or is appealing disenrollment.”

The bill also extends family fee exemptions from 12 months to 24 months for children referred for, or at risk of receiving, child protective services. “I…