AB 1996 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta establishes a California Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council
Avo Makdessian, Executive Director of the First 5 Association of California, today issued the following statement after Governor Newsom signed legislation on Sunday, co-sponsored by the First 5 Association, that will create a state council tasked with developing a plan to cut child poverty in half within a decade. The First 5 Association of California will have a seat on the 19-member council.
“When families struggle to afford rent, food, or child care, the youngest children feel it first. California has shown that the right policies can change that. AB 1996 ensures that addressing child poverty remains a top priority for the state, and that the people who work with families every day, including First 5 commissions, help shape what comes next. We thank Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Governor Newsom, and the Legislature for their support.”
Assembly Bill 1996, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), establishes the California Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council within the State Department of Social Services. The 19-member council will develop a child poverty reduction plan and analyze policies and state budgets for their impact on child poverty.
California’s child poverty rate is one of the highest in the nation, with 73 percent of California families with young children reporting difficulty meeting at least one basic need such as utilities, healthcare, food and child care, according to a 2025 survey.
About First 5 Association of California
First 5 Association of California represents First 5 commissions across the state. Together, First 5 supports over 1.2 million children and families each year, advancing policies and investments that ensure young children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The Association works to advance state and federal public policies and funding that support California’s young children and families. Our policy work is informed by local communities and local First 5 commissions and is grounded in a whole child / whole family lens. We do this while centering the fact that low-income communities, communities of color, and historically marginalized Californians face disproportionate impacts due to systemic racism, wealth inequality, and environmental hazards. Learn more at www.first5association.org.