Bill > AB661

This bill establishes the California Guaranteed Income Research and Expansion Act, which requires the State Department of Social Services to contract with qualified entities to develop comprehensive recommendations for a permanent, statewide Guaranteed Income Program. The contracted entities will investigate how to design, fund, and implement a program that can sustainably provide direct cash payments to low-income Californians. The bill mandates a detailed study examining the benefits and challenges of expanding guaranteed income to vulnerable populations, with a focus on regions with high living costs and drawing insights from existing pilot programs. The contractors must identify sustainable funding mechanisms, recommend program design elements like payment amounts and target populations, and ensure the program does not disrupt existing social safety net benefits. The study will prioritize populations facing significant economic challenges, including single heads of household, survivors of intimate partner violence, undocumented immigrants, seniors in poverty, foster youth, and other marginalized groups. The bill requires the creation of a diverse steering committee including program participants and experts, and mandates data sharing across state departments. By January 1, 2028, the State Department of Social Services must publish a report evaluating the feasibility of a statewide guaranteed income program, with the ultimate goal of providing comprehensive economic support to California's most vulnerable residents.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB661