COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

DATE:

January 18, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 25, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

County Manager’s Report #4—Resolution authorizing amendments to the 2005-2006 Legislative Session Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution amending the 2003-2004 Legislative Session Program to include two new legislative proposals regarding State Children's Health Insurance (S-CHIP) eligibility and regarding public notice process for locating parole offices.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal(s): 20 – Effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County.

BACKGROUND:

The 2005-2006 Legislative Session Program (Legislative Program) articulates San Mateo County’s goals and objectives as they relate to the 2005-2006 legislative session, which began on January 3. The proposals, priorities and policies in combination with other positions adopted by the Board of Supervisors guide the County’s legislative advocacy efforts. The Legislative Committee in coordination with County staff, departments and the County’s Sacramento consultant developed the Legislative Program.

DISCUSSION:

The State Children's Health Insurance (S-CHIP) eligibility proposal would authorize county agencies, local initiatives, and county organized health systems to seek and obtain funds to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to children in families whose income does not exceed a to-be-determined percentage of the federal poverty level and who do not qualify for either Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. Current law authorizes local governments to seek and obtain federal matching funds to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to children in families whose incomes do not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and who do not qualify for either Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families program. San Mateo County’s Children’s Health Initiative provides services to children in families with incomes up to 400% FLP. As a result, San Mateo County does not receive federal or state funds to provide coverage to children between 300-400% FLP who meet citizenship and immigration status requirements. This proposal would expand on the existing mechanism to allow counties to access more federal funds.

The Public Notice Process for Locating Parole Offices proposal would require the Department of Corrections to notify affected jurisdictions about a proposed parole office location that is within 1000 feet of a school (including K-12 and childcare centers/pre-schools) or a public park with playground equipment designed for young children and to secure a written response from affected jurisdictions before entering into a lease or beginning construction on the site. This proposal originates with a recent effort of the California Department of Corrections to relocate a community parole office near the County’s child care center, Our Place. With the help of Senator Byron Sher and then-Assemblymember Joe Simitian, the County succeeded in convincing the Department of Corrections to reconsider the location of the parole office. The incident highlighted problems with the notification process, which does not require an action of express approval or objection by the affected jurisdiction. This proposal would require the Department of Corrections to notify affected jurisdictions about a proposed parole office location and to secure a written response from affected jurisdictions

FISCAL IMPACT:

For the State Children's Health Insurance (S-CHIP) eligibility proposal, the County could realize net county cost savings. For the Public Notice Process for Locating Parole Offices proposal, there would be no fiscal impact.