Bill > AB2255

This bill expands the eligibility for the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) in California. Under existing law, a child is eligible for AAP benefits if they are under 18 years of age, under 21 years of age with a mental or physical handicap, or under 21 years of age and have attained 16 years of age before the adoption assistance agreement became effective. This bill would remove the requirement that the child has attained 16 years of age before the adoption assistance agreement became effective, and would increase the eligible age to under 26 years of age. The bill also requires counties to include an application for extension of benefits when notifying adoptive parents of a child under 21 years of age of the expiration of benefits due to age. By expanding eligibility of a county-administered program, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program, but the bill provides that no reimbursement is required.