14012.5. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 105, Sec. 56.)

(a) By July 1, 2007, the department shall implement a process that allows applicants and beneficiaries to self-certify the amount and nature of assets and income without the need to submit income or asset documentation.

(b) The process shall apply to applicants and beneficiaries in the program described in Section 14005.30, the federal poverty level programs for infants, children and pregnant women, the Medically-Indigent and Medically-Needy Programs for children and families, and other similar programs designated by the department, in order to preserve family unity or simplify administration. The process shall not apply to applicants or beneficiaries whose eligibility is based on their status as aged, blind, or based upon a disability determination unless, to the extent possible, they are members of families in which a child, parent, or spouse of that person is also a Medi-Cal applicant or beneficiary.

(c) The director may modify or terminate the first phase of implementation not sooner than 90 days after providing notification to the Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. This notification shall articulate the specific reasons for the modification or termination and shall include all relevant data elements that are applicable to document the reasons provided for said modifications or termination. Upon the request of the Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the director shall promptly provide any additional clarifying information regarding the first phase of implementation as requested.

(d) Following two years of operation in two counties and submission of the evaluation to the Legislature, the director, in consultation with the Department of Finance, shall determine whether to implement the self-certification process statewide. This determination shall be based on the outcomes of the evaluation, including the ability to increase enrollment of eligible children and families, and to maintain the overall integrity of the Medi-Cal program. Statewide implementation shall be contingent on a specific appropriation being provided for this purpose in the Budget Act or subsequent legislation.

(e) This section shall be implemented only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation is available.

(g) The department, in consultation with the Department of Finance, counties, and other interested stakeholders, shall determine which types of assets and income are appropriate for self-certification under this section.

(h) Nothing in this section shall be read to preclude a county from requesting documentation from any applicant or beneficiary regarding any income or asset where a question arises about such income or asset during the county’s determination or redetermination of eligibility following receipt of the application or annual redetermination form.

(i) Nothing in this section shall change the ability of the department to self-certify income, assets, or other program information to the extent allowed under state or federal law, waiver, or the state plan.

(j) (1) This section shall not be implemented if the voters approve Proposition 86, the tobacco tax initiative, at the statewide general election on November 7, 2006.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) if Proposition 86 is approved by the voters at the statewide general election on November 7, 2006, this section shall be implemented during the pendency of any legal action concerning the validity of the proposition.