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Asm. Smallwood-Cuevas’s Bill Repealing ‘Racist’ CalWORKs ‘Man-in-the-House’ Rule Clears Legislature

September 8, 2026

California's legislature has unanimously passed Senate Bill 1030, which would eliminate a controversial welfare rule requiring unrelated adult men living with families receiving CalWORKs benefits to make mandatory financial contributions to the household. The "Unrelated Adult Male" policy, rooted in discriminatory mid-20th century practices that disproportionately affected Black families, has been criticized for perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes and forcing intrusive government surveillance of low-income households. The bill, authored by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature and would take effect in July 2027 or when the state's welfare computer system can accommodate the changes.

Who is affected

  • Low-income families receiving CalWORKs benefits in California
  • Unrelated adult men living with CalWORKs recipient families
  • Black women and women of color (disproportionately impacted historically)
  • Mothers applying for or receiving welfare assistance
  • The California Legislative Black Caucus and California Legislative Women's Caucus
  • Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Reimagine CalWORKs Coalition

What action is being taken

  • The California Assembly and Senate have approved SB 1030 with unanimous votes
  • Governor Gavin Newsom is reviewing the bill (has until September 30 to sign or veto)
  • The Reimagine CalWORKs Coalition is advocating for making the CalWORKs program more supportive and less punitive

Why it matters

  • The UAM rule perpetuates discriminatory practices from the 1960s and 1970s that were rooted in racist and sexist assumptions about welfare recipients, particularly targeting Black families. The policy forces families to choose between receiving needed financial assistance and maintaining household relationships, separating men from their families during a time of economic uncertainty, rising housing and food costs. By eliminating this requirement, California would modernize its welfare system and remove a punitive measure that adds unnecessary burdens to families already struggling financially, while also ending intrusive government surveillance of private household arrangements.

What's next

  • Governor Newsom must decide whether to sign or veto SB 1030 by September 30
  • If signed, the repeal would take effect on July 1, 2027, or later if the state's welfare computer system is not ready to implement the change

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint