(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the goal of the Medi-Cal program is to provide comprehensive health care to low-income Californians who cannot afford the cost of health care.

(b) (1) The department may seek waivers of federal Medicaid requirements in furtherance of this goal, including, but not limited to, demonstration projects that aim to either increase the number of Medi-Cal beneficiaries or enhance the medical assistance provided to beneficiaries.

(2) A waiver proposed by the department, which offers nonmedical benefits to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, employment or housing assistance, shall offer these benefits on a voluntary basis, and not as a condition of receiving medical assistance.

(c) Prior to applying for a federal waiver or an extension of a federal waiver, the department shall provide a public notice and comment period pursuant to Section 431.408 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, effective April 27, 2012, and any other subsequently developed federal requirements.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 692, Sec. 1. (SB 1108) Effective January 1, 2019.)