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Committee approves indexing infant foster-care supplement to inflation; supporters say rate unchanged since 2016
Summary
The committee voted to pass AB 349 as amended to appropriations, directing that the infant supplement for parenting foster youth be indexed to inflation starting in 2026; witnesses told the committee the supplement has not increased since 2016 and cited rising costs for diapers and formula.
Assemblymember Semler Dixon presented AB 349, which would index the infant supplement paid to parenting foster youth to inflation. The author said she would accept committee amendments that align the bill with prior legislation and noted the measure was intentionally limited this year to an indexing provision effective 2026 to improve its prospects in appropriations.
Witnesses including Jill Dominguez, CEO of Mary's Path (a short-term residential therapeutic program serving pregnant and parenting teens in foster care), described the population the bill targets: “Our residents are teen moms who suffer from traumas ... The average age of birth at Mary's Path is 15 years old,” Dominguez said. She said the infant supplement rate has not increased since February 2016, while caregivers face higher costs for diapers, formula and round-the-clock care.
Nut graf: AB 349 would adjust the supplemental payment for infants of parenting foster youth so the payment is indexed to inflation, supporters said, citing sharply rising basic costs and the vulnerability of the population served. The author and sponsor emphasized the bill’s narrow scope: indexing a supplement that has not been updated in nearly a decade.
Procedure and vote: The committee accepted committee amendments, moved the bill and voted it out to the Assembly Appropriations Committee (final recorded vote on the hearing sheet: 6–0). Supporters asked the Appropriations Committee to consider the fiscal implications while keeping the policy intent intact.
Ending: With committee passage, AB 349 will advance to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where funding and scoring will be evaluated. Supporters asked that a one-time increase be considered in appropriations to reflect recent inflationary costs for infant care.
