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Committee approves AB 349 to index infant supplement for parenting foster youth
Summary
AB 349, which would index the infant supplement payment for parenting foster youth to inflation and was amended to include a one‑time increase, passed the Human Services Committee and was referred to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Semler Dixon presented AB 349 and said she would accept committee amendments to adjust the infant supplement by a one‑time additional monthly amount and to index the infant supplement to inflation effective 2026. The bill targets parenting foster youth and the supplemental payment that supports infants in certain short-term residential therapeutic programs.
Jill Dominguez, CEO and president of Mary's Path — a short‑term residential therapeutic program for pregnant and parenting teens in Orange County — described the program’s population and resources. Dominguez told the committee her program serves teen mothers, most from low‑income communities and with histories of trauma, and said the infant supplement rate “has not been increased since 02/2016.” Dominguez also gave cost examples during testimony, saying “the cost of diapers has risen over 90% over the past couple of years” and that formula costs have risen; the bill’s author and sponsors also cited increases in basic costs for infant care.
Multiple service providers and regional associations registered support; no opposition was recorded. Members expressed concern about the state budget outlook but moved and seconded the bill. The committee adopted the amendments and voted to report AB 349 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee with an aye recommendation.
