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Panel reviews bill clarifying data-sharing exemptions to improve CalFresh enrollment
Summary
AB 593 would clarify narrow data-sharing exemptions to allow certain intergovernmental exchanges to improve CalFresh enrollment while protecting privacy; privacy advocates urged removing the Department of Corrections from the sharing list.
Assemblymember Wicks presented AB 593 to the committee as a narrowly scoped bill to clarify exemptions that permit limited intergovernmental data sharing for CalFresh administration and outreach. The bill is described by the author as a follow-up to AB 518 (prior year), intended to improve the methodology for measuring CalFresh participation and to expand targeted outreach while protecting personally identifiable information.
Wicks said AB 593 aims to "utilize existing state data in a tailored manner to improve strategies that will maximize enrollment in CalFresh while safeguarding the confidentiality, privacy, and security of California's personally identifiable information." She said the bill is intended as a cleanup and that the office will continue negotiations with the Newsom administration during recess.
Tracy Rosenberg of Oakland Privacy testified in opposition to inclusion of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in the list of entities authorized for data sharing. Rosenberg cited SB 1254 (2024) and concerns that providing CDCR access to CalFresh data could risk exposing protected populations and run afoul of policies intended to shield immigration-sensitive information; she urged removing CDCR from the bill.
No formal committee vote was recorded in the transcript; the author asked for an "I vote" and committee members discussed the bill briefly. The record shows further stakeholder engagement is planned before any final action.
