CA SB1232

Requires county human services agencies to obtain written authorization from applicants or recipients before using consumer credit reports to determine CalWORKs or CalFresh eligibility or benefit levels.

Mandates counties provide written notice compliant with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681m) if an adverse action is taken based wholly or partly on information from a consumer credit report.

Prohibits counties from requiring applicants or recipients to submit duplicate hard-copy documentation when information will be verified using a consumer credit report.

Allows written authorization and notices to be provided electronically and requires counties to make credit report information available upon request for case file reviews or appeals.

Preserves counties' ability to use other verification forms and request additional documentation when they determine existing information is questionable.