CA SB546

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to continue the foster youth program (formerly the iFoster pilot program) as part of California's lifeline telephone service program, providing eligible youth with smartphones and monthly prepaid mobile service including unlimited voice, text, and data.

Makes current and former foster youth ages 13 to 26 living in California eligible for the program; allows the commission to expand eligibility to youth younger than 13 and adjust support amounts for inflation, distance learning data needs, and academic or employment purposes.

Authorizes the commission to select third-party administrators, establish appeals processes, waive standard lifeline rules for the foster youth program, and determine which mobile service providers participate.

Permits the commission to establish a sunset date for the program only after ensuring enrolled foster youth have access to equivalent benefits and expanding lifeline eligibility criteria to include all otherwise-eligible foster youth.

Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to prevent interruption of the existing pilot program before the end of 2021.