(a)

(1) Notwithstanding

Section 14005.25, subject to paragraph (2) and subdivision (d), a child shall be continuously eligible for Medi-Cal up to, five years of age.

(2) A redetermination of Medi-Cal eligibility shall not be conducted before the child reaches five years of age, unless the department or county possesses facts indicating that the family has requested the child’s voluntary disenrollment, the child is deceased, the child is no longer a state resident, or the child’s original enrollment was based on a state or county error or on fraud, abuse, or perjury attributed to the child or the child’s representative. (b)

(1) Implementation of this

section is contingent on all of the following conditions: (

A) All necessary federal approvals have been obtained by the department pursuant to subdivision (c). (

B) The Legislature has appropriated funding to implement this

section after a determination that ongoing General Fund resources are available to support the ongoing implementation of this

section in the 2024–25 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years. (

C) The department has determined that systems have been programmed to implement this section.

(2) The department shall issue a declaration certifying the date that all conditions in paragraph (1) have been met. The department shall post the declaration on its internet website and provide a copy of the declaration to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Senate, the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and the Legislative Counsel. (

c) This

section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained, and federal financial participation is available and not otherwise jeopardized. (

d) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section, in whole or in part, through all-county letters or similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action. (

e) This

section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, or the date certified by the department pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), whichever is later.