AB450 - Public social services: support for older and aging immigrants.

Assembly Bill No. 450 CHAPTER 364 An act to add and repeal Article 6 (commencing with Section 9170) of Chapter 2 of Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. [ Approved by Governor October 06, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 06, 2025. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 450, Carrillo. Public social services: support for older and aging immigrants. Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes the California Department of Aging and states that the mission of the department is to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. This bill would, subject to an appropriation for these purposes, require the department to oversee a stakeholder process to support findings and recommendations on how to best support older and aging immigrants, as defined, regardless of their immigration status, in California through the establishment of a panel. The bill would authorize the director of the department to modify an existing panel for these purposes, if applicable. The bill would require the panel to include representatives from the State Department of Social Services and invite specified stakeholder and subject matter experts to participate. The bill would require the department and panel to consider specified issues, including affordability and access to social services and housing. The bill would require the first meeting to occur no later than 120 days after funding for the panel becomes available and would authorize the department to contract with academic research entities to supplement the stakeholder process. The bill would require the panel to issue findings and recommendations to both departments by July 1, 2028, on the most effective ways to implement policies and programs to support older and aging immigrants in California, regardless of their immigration status. The bill would require the departments to jointly submit a report containing the panel’s findings to the Legislature on or before December 1, 2028. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2029. The bill makes relating findings and declarations. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Addressing the needs of the aging population in California is of the utmost importance. (b) The Governor’s Master Plan for Aging established pursuant to Executive Order No. N-14-19 includes a goal of “inclusion and equity, not isolation,” which emphasizes both the need for lifelong opportunities for work, volunteering, engagement, and leadership, and protection against isolation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (c) Policies to ensure that older adults in California are able to meet their needs as they age must be inclusive of older and aging immigrants, including those who may, as a result of their immigration status, be unable to access critical social services intended to assist older adults. SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 9170) is added to Chapter 2 of Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: Article 6. Support for Older and Aging Immigrants Regardless of Immigration Status 9170. (a) The department shall oversee a stakeholder process to support the development of findings and recommendations on how to best support older and aging immigrants in California, regardless of their immigration status. To help inform the stakeholder process, the department shall establish a panel. The director may, if appropriate, modify an existing panel for purposes of this article, subject to the requirements described in Section 9171. (b) The department may contract with academic research entities to commission expert research and testimony to supplement the stakeholder process and support the development of findings and recommendations required by this article. 9171. (a) The panel established pursuant to Section 9170 shall invite stakeholders and subject matter experts, including representatives from the State Department of Social Services, clinics, researchers, housing advocates, trusted community partners, and nonprofit organizations to participate in the stakeholder process. As appropriate, the costs of the panel and the stakeholder process may be reduced by in-kind or other contributions from third parties. (b) During the stakeholder process, the department and members of the panel shall consider issues including, but not limited to, affordability and guaranteed basic income, access to social services and housing, and access to health care services, including specialty care and language access. (c) The first meeting of the panel shall be held no later than 120 days after funding becomes available for purposes of this section. 9172. (a) Upon completion of the stakeholder process required by this article, but by no later than July 1, 2028, the panel shall issue findings and recommendations to the department and the State Department of Social Services on the most effective ways to implement policies and programs to support older and aging immigrants in California, regardless of their immigration status. (b) On or before December 31, 2028, the department and the State Department of Social Services shall jointly present a report including the findings and recommendations provided by the panel under subdivision (a) to the Legislature. 9173. For purposes of this article, “older and aging” means an adult 60 years of age or older. 9174. This article shall be implemented upon appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this article. 9175. This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.