(a) The department shall provide full-scope benefits under this chapter, without spend down of excess income, to all individuals on behalf of whom kinship guardians are receiving aid under any of the Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment Programs pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) of Chapter 2.

(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department and the State Department of Social Services may implement, without taking regulatory action, this section by means of all county letters or similar instruction. Thereafter, as needed, the departments shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) To the extent that federal financial participation is not available, the cost of benefits provided under this section shall be covered only by state funds.

(d) The department and the State Department of Social Services shall work cooperatively to develop procedures that maximize the availability of federal financial participation for the cost of benefits provided under this section. The procedures shall include conforming the application and eligibility determination process for this population to meet the requirements of federal Medicaid law.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 42, Sec. 85. (AB 118) Effective July 10, 2023.)