SB 1047 Summary

• Extends eligibility for California state preschool programs and childcare development services to families with a household member certified to receive benefits from Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalFresh Program, WIC, federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Head Start, Early Head Start, or other designated means-tested government programs, with children prioritized by income declared on the means-tested program application.

• Extends the period families are considered to meet all eligibility and need requirements from 12 months to 24 months without requiring income or other change reporting, except for CalWORKs Stage 1-3 recipients who remain at 12 months and families whose income exceeds ongoing eligibility thresholds.

• Requires the State Department of Social Services to implement the 24-month eligibility extension through management bulletins or similar guidance by December 1, 2023, with formal rulemaking to follow by December 31, 2024.

• Establishes that families qualifying through means-tested government programs must submit self-certification of income for enrollment prioritization and family fee calculation purposes.

• Incorporates conditional operative provisions based on concurrent enactment of Assembly Bills 185 and 321, and Senate Bill 185, specifying which version of amended code sections will apply depending on bill passage order.