BILL ANALYSIS SB 945 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 945 (Liu) As Amended June 24, 2010 Majority vote SENATE VOTE :30-0 HUMAN SERVICES 5-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-1 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Beall, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, | | |Ammiano, Chesbro, | |Bradford, | | |Portantino | |Charles Calderon, Coto, | | | | |Davis, | | | | |De Leon, Gatto, Hall, | | | | |Harkey, Nielsen, Skinner, | | | | |Solorio, Torlakson, | | | | |Torrico | | | | | | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | |Nays:|Norby | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Requires probation and parole officers to provide wards of the court formerly in foster care with notification regarding their eligibility for services and benefits available for former foster youth when the court terminates jurisdiction, or upon release of a ward from a non-foster care facility. Specifically, this bill : 1)Requires that, when the juvenile court terminates jurisdiction and releases a ward from any facility other than a foster care facility, the probation or parole officer must provide the youth with the following: a) A written notice stating the person's status as a former foster youth, and that person's possible eligibility for services and benefits provided by public and private programs, including independent living program (ILP) services; and, b) Information regarding, and assistance with applying for state and federal benefits and services, including ILP SB 945 Page 2 services the person may be eligible to receive. 2)Specifies that this section applies to any ward previously adjudged a dependent child pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 300, or a child placed in foster care pursuant to WIC Section 727. EXISTING STATE LAW : 1)Provides that the juvenile court may establish jurisdiction over an abused or neglected child as a dependent of the juvenile court. WIC Section 300. 2)Provides that the juvenile court may adjudge a child who has committed criminal acts, or who is habitually disobedient or truant, a ward of the court. WIC Sections 601 and 602. 3)Establishes a process whereby the juvenile court determines the appropriate status designation for a child when he or she appears to come within the description of both ward and dependent status, with an agreed upon recommendation submitted to the juvenile court by the county probation department and child welfare services on which status will serve the best interests of the child and the protection of society. WIC Section 241.1. 4)Authorizes the county probation department and child welfare services department in consultation with the juvenile court, to develop protocols for designating a child or youth who is both a ward and dependent of the juvenile court a "dual status" child. WIC Section 241.1. EXISTING FEDERAL LAW establishes the ILP which allows states to apply for grants to provide assistance to former foster youth 18 to 21 years of age with their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to prepare them with making a transition from adolescence to adulthood. 42 U.S.C. 677. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, minimal reimbursable local costs, likely less than $50,000, for the workload associated with probation officers providing wards the required information and assistance. COMMENTS : SB 945 Page 3 Need for this bill : According to the author: Unfortunately, a segment of the foster youth population?are unable to access services because they cannot prove their status as a former foster youth?When these children emancipate from the juvenile delinquency court status, rather than from dependency court status, they are effectively denied access to private and non-profit programs designed to assist former foster youth? This bill would clarify that probation and parole officers are required to provide wards exiting from a juvenile justice detention facility with documentation of their status as former foster youth, and to inform them about their eligibility for services and benefits available to former foster youth to assist them with their transition to adulthood. This bill would not change existing eligibility for ILP services or other services provided to former foster youth. Support : The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office notes that providing foster or former foster youth with paperwork to assist them in obtaining services upon termination of the juvenile court jurisdiction over the ward will help with reducing adult and juvenile recidivism. Analysis Prepared by : Michelle Doty Cabrera / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0005191