AB 1846 — Dependency: placement of child with relative.

Summary

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine placement of a child. Existing law requires, when a child has been adjudged a dependent of the court, the court to hold a dispositional hearing to determine the disposition to be made of the child. Under existing law, if the child is removed from the physical custody of their parents, preferential consideration to be given to a request by a relative of the child for placement of the child with the relative. Existing law prescribes factors for the county social worker and court to consider in determining placement, and requires the court to state on the record the reasons placement was denied if the court does not place the child with a relative who has been considered for placement. This bill would require, if the court does not initially place the child with a relative who has been considered for placement, the court to state for the record the reasons why the placement with that relative was denied or delayed. The bill would require, except as specified, after the court conducts the dispositional hearing, the social worker to assess any relative who requests placement and who has not been previously assessed or found to be unsuitable. The bill would require, if the court has terminated reunification services prior to the relative's request for placement, the county social worker and the court to consider certain additional factors to consider in determining whether placement with the relative is appropriate, including, among others, the child's relationship with the current caregiver. By increasing the duties of county social workers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 09/18/26 - Chaptered html September 18, 2026
• Enrolled 09/02/26 - Enrolled html September 02, 2026
• Amended 08/13/26 - Amended Senate html August 13, 2026
• Amended 03/18/26 - Amended Assembly Current pdf March 18, 2026
• Introduced 02/11/26 - Introduced pdf February 11, 2026
• AB1846 View text html

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 1 section(s) of the California codes: Section 361.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

• Section 361.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code

  After the until the social worker shall assess any relative who requests placement and who has not been previously assessed or found to be unsuitable. in addition to the factors described in subdivision (a), preference. social worker notice is made shall have assess If the social worker does not assess the relative, the court may order the relative to be assessed upon request by any party or the relative, if the court finds it is in the child’s best interests. This paragraph does not apply if the parents were not provided reunification services pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 361.5. (g)Placement of an Indian child shall comply with the placement preferences set forth in Section 361.31. → If, subsequent to a to the time a relative, who has not been previously assessed or found to be unsuitable, requests to be assessed for placement of the child, the social worker shall assess the relative in accordance with the factors described in this section. also preference, if found to be age- and developmentally appropriate. county child welfare agency has relative notification described occurs may exercise conduct an initial assessment of (4) If the social worker declines to conduct an assessment pursuant to paragraph (3), the court may order the assessment upon request of any party or the relative, if the court determines that the assessment is in the best interest of the child. (5) This subdivision does not apply if reunification services were not provided pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 361.5. (g) If the child is an Indian child, as defined in Section 224.1, placement of the child pursuant to this section shall comply with the placement preferences and requirements of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.) and Section 361.31.

  amended

Action History

1. September 18, 2026

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 276, Statutes of 2026.

2. September 18, 2026

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 08, 2026

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.

4. August 28, 2026

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6795.).

5. August 27, 2026

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

6. August 27, 2026

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).

7. August 25, 2026

   Ordered to special consent calendar.

8. August 17, 2026

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

9. August 13, 2026

   Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

10. August 13, 2026

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).

11. August 03, 2026

    In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

12. June 29, 2026

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

13. June 10, 2026

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUMAN S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on HUMAN S.

14. May 06, 2026

    Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HUMAN S.

15. April 16, 2026

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

16. April 16, 2026

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0. Page 4682.)

17. April 09, 2026

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

18. April 08, 2026

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 8).

19. March 25, 2026

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

20. March 19, 2026

    Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

21. March 18, 2026

    Read second time and amended.

22. March 17, 2026

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 17).

23. March 02, 2026

    Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HUM. S.

24. February 12, 2026

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

25. February 11, 2026

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Catherine Stefani · Primary

Votes

Subjects