AB 937 — Dependency: family reunification services.

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 illness as a result of the failure or inability of their parent or guardian to adequately supervise or protect the child. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of the child's parents or guardian and generally requires the court to order the social worker to provide designated child welfare services, including family reunification services, which are to be provided up to 12 months from the date the child entered foster care. Existing law authorizes the court-ordered services to be extended up to another 6 months at the 12-month permanency hearing if the court finds that there is a substantial probability that the child will be returned to the physical custody of the parent or guardian within the extended time period, or that reasonable services have not been provided to the parent or guardian, and requires the court to specify the factual basis for its conclusion that there is that substantial probability. Existing law similarly authorizes the court-ordered services to be extended up to another 6 months at the 18-month permanency hearing for specified parents if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to have the time extended and there is a substantial probability that the child will be returned to the physical custody of the parent or guardian within the extended time period, or that reasonable services have not been provided to the parent or guardian, and requires the court to specify the factual basis for its conclusion that there is that substantial probability. This bill would clarify that the court shall also specify its factual basis for its conclusion that either reasonable services have not been provided to the parent or guardian or, in the case of an Indian child, that active efforts to reunite the child with their family have not been made if the court extends the services on either basis. The bill would also require the court to extend reunification services for an additional 6 months if the court determines at the 18-month permanency hearing that reasonable services have not been provided, except as specified, or that, in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to reunite the child with their family have not been made. By imposing additional duties on counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 366.22 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by SB 463 to be operative only if this bill and SB 463 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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 10/08/23 - Chaptered Current pdf October 08, 2023
• Enrolled 09/18/23 - Enrolled pdf September 18, 2023
• Amended 09/07/23 - Amended Senate pdf September 07, 2023
• Amended 08/14/23 - Amended Senate pdf August 14, 2023
• Amended 04/12/23 - Amended Assembly pdf April 12, 2023
• Introduced 02/14/23 - Introduced pdf February 14, 2023
• AB937 View text html

Action History

1. October 08, 2023

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 458, Statutes of 2023.

2. October 08, 2023

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 21, 2023

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

4. September 13, 2023

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3367.).

5. September 12, 2023

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

6. September 12, 2023

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 2628.).

7. September 11, 2023

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

8. September 07, 2023

   Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

9. September 05, 2023

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

10. September 01, 2023

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (September 1).

11. August 28, 2023

    In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file.

12. August 14, 2023

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.

13. August 02, 2023

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

14. July 05, 2023

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

15. June 28, 2023

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUMAN S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 27). Re-referred to Com. on HUMAN S.

16. June 07, 2023

    Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HUMAN S.

17. May 31, 2023

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

18. May 30, 2023

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 1884.)

19. May 18, 2023

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

20. May 18, 2023

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 18).

21. May 10, 2023

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

22. April 26, 2023

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

23. April 17, 2023

    Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

24. April 12, 2023

    Read second time and amended.

25. April 11, 2023

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 11).

26. March 23, 2023

    In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

27. March 15, 2023

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

28. March 02, 2023

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

29. February 15, 2023

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.

30. February 14, 2023

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Tina McKinnor · Primary
• Cecilia M. Aguiar-Curry · Cosponsor

Votes

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