Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to expand migrant childcare eligibility and allow self-certification
Summary
SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the migrant childcare and development program, allowing families with at least one household member earning 40% or more from agricultural work to qualify and permitting self-certification; committee votes to send the bill to Appropriations.
The Assembly Committee on Human Services voted to pass SB 778 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee after the author said the bill expands access to the migrant childcare and development program administered by the California Department of Social Services.
Senator Limon told members the bill redefines a migrant agricultural worker family in statute to mean a family with at least one person earning 40% or more of household income from agricultural work and authorizes eligible families to self-certify and provide documentation to CDSS. “This change acknowledges the fluctuating and seasonal nature of agricultural work,” the senator said.
Supporters including Vicky Santos of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and Jacob Villagomez of California Citrus Mutual said the adjustments would ease enrollment for farmworker families by reducing employer-verification barriers and addressing cultural and linguistic obstacles. Santos described the bill as “crucial” for farmworker families and said it would help meet families where they are.
The motion to pass SB 778 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee was moved by Senator Celeste Rodriguez and seconded by Assemblymember Castillo; the committee recorded a 7-0 vote to advance the measure.
