Section 18926.5.

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, "CalFresh Employment and Training program" or "CalFresh E&T" means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 o, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.

(b) (1) A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, the CalFresh E&T program. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in the CalFresh E&T program as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 o, or if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area.

(2) For purposes of this section, "deferred" has the same meaning as exempt.

(c) (1) A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh E&T program shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(A) Self-initiated workfare.

(B) Work experience or training.

(C) Education.

(D) Job search.

(E) The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.

(d) Nothing in this section shall limit a county's ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individual's participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the county's choice, even if that program is financed in whole or part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.

(e) Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers' compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage and a county shall have no duty to provide workers' compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.

(g) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 507, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2012.)