Cal. WIC § 11325.4 — California Code / Code wic / Division 9 / Part 3 / Chapter 2 / Article 3.2 / Section 11325.4
Section 11325.4
Status: in_force

[Amended (as added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 79, Sec. 18) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 107, Sec. 5.   (SB 146)   Effective September 17, 2025.   Conditionally operative on or after July 1, 2026, as prescribed by its own provisions.]
(a) An assessment shall be available upon completion of orientation and appraisal pursuant to Section 11320.1. An assessment evaluates the participants’ strengths and skills to assist them in choosing the activities they wish to include in their welfare-to-work plan. At the participant’s option, this assessment may incorporate the appraisal tool used pursuant to Section 11325.15 and shall include at least all of the following:

(1) The participant’s work history and an inventory of their employment skills, knowledge, and abilities.

(2) The participant’s educational history and present educational competency level.

(3) The participant’s need for supportive and barrier removal services in order to obtain the greatest benefit from the employment and training services offered under this article.

(4) An evaluation of the chances for employment given the current skills of the participant and the local labor market conditions.

(5) Local labor market information.

(6) Physical limitations or mental conditions that limit the participant’s ability for employment or participation in welfare-to-work activities.

(b) Counties may contract with outside parties, including local educational agencies and service delivery areas to perform all or part of the assessment.

(c) 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, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

(d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, or, if automation is necessary, the later of July 1, 2026, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section.

[Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 79, Sec. 17.   (SB 119)   Effective July 29, 2025.   Conditionally inoperative on or after July 1, 2026, as prescribed by its own provisions.    Conditionally repealed January 1 following the inoperative date.   See later operative version added by Sec. 5 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 107.]
(a) Upon referral to assessment, a participant shall work with the county welfare department to develop and agree on a welfare-to-work plan on the basis of an assessment of the individual’s skills and needs. The assessment shall include at least all of the following:

(1) The participant’s work history and an inventory of their employment skills, knowledge, and abilities.

(2) The participant’s educational history and present educational competency level.

(3) The participant’s need for supportive services in order to obtain the greatest benefit from the employment and training services offered under this article.

(4) An evaluation of the chances for employment given the current skills of the participant and the local labor market conditions.

(5) Local labor market information.

(6) Physical limitations or mental conditions that limit the participant’s ability for employment or participation in welfare-to-work activities.

(b)  The county may contract with outside parties, including local educational agencies and service delivery areas, to provide the assessment.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding the procedures set forth in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 10950) of Part 2, if the participant and assessor are unable to reach agreement on the welfare-to-work plan, the matter shall be referred by the county for an independent assessment by an impartial third party. The results of this assessment, which shall be binding upon the county and the participant, shall be used to develop the appropriate plan for the participant.

(2) No third party assessment under this subdivision shall be made by a party having any financial or other interest in the result of the assessment. The party making the assessment shall be selected by the county according to an unbiased procedure.

(d) This section shall not apply to individuals subject to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11331) during the time that article is operative.

(e) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2026, or, if automation is necessary, the later of July 1, 2026, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, as added by the act that added this subdivision, and, as of January 1 of the following year, is repealed.