(a) The Naturalization Services Program is hereby established, to be administered within the Department of Community Services and Development. The department shall administer the Naturalization Services Program to provide funding to community-based organizations to assist legal permanent residents in obtaining citizenship. The department shall seek input from stakeholders in designing the methodology for the distribution of funds appropriated for purposes of this section. The Naturalization Services Program shall be implemented to the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act.

(b) In order to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and accessibility, the Naturalization Services Program shall emphasize both of the following:

(1) Collaboration among grantees and other providers in their region, including the State Department of Education English as a Second Language and civic grantees.

(2) Development of a referral system in each service area to ensure immigrants are informed about adult education, English literacy, and citizenship services in their region.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 515, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)