(a)
For the purposes of Section 273.5(b)(11)(ii) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, an educational program that could be a component of a CalFresh E&T program described in Section 18926.5, as identified by the department, shall be considered an employment and training program under Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, unless prohibited by federal law.(b)
The department shall, in consultation with representatives of the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, offices of the Chancellor of the California State University, University of California Chancellors’ offices, the California Workforce Investment Board, county human services agencies, and advocates for students and clients, establish a protocol to identify and verify all potential exemptions to the eligibility rule described in Section 273.5(a) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and to identify and verify participation in educational programs, including, but not limited to, self-initiated placements, that would exempt a student from the eligibility rule described in Section 273.5(a) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations. To the extent possible, this consultation shall take place through existing workgroups convened by the department.(c)
If the United States Department of Agriculture requires federal approval of the exemption designation established pursuant to subdivision (a) and the protocol established pursuant to subdivision (b), the department shall seek and obtain that approval before publishing the guidance or regulation required by subdivision (e).(d)
(1)This section does not require a county human services agency to offer a particular component, support services, or workers’ compensation to a student found eligible for an exemption pursuant to this section.(2)
This section does not restrict or require the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.(3)
This section does not require a college or university to provide a student with information necessary to verify eligibility for CalFresh.(e)
Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department shall implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions beginning no later than October 1, 2015, until regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations implementing this section on or before October 1, 2017.
Source:
Section 18901.11, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC§ionNum=18901.11..