BILL NUMBER: AB 196	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mansoor

                        JANUARY 28, 2013

   An act to amend Section 16000 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to foster care.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 196, as introduced, Mansoor. Foster care services.
   Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to preserve
and strengthen a child's family ties whenever possible, removing the
child from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for
his or her welfare or for the safety and protection of the public.
Existing law includes various provisions relating to the provision of
appropriate placement and other services for children in foster
care.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to a
provision relating to foster children.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 16000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   16000.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to preserve and
strengthen a child's family ties whenever possible, removing the
child from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for
his or her welfare or for the safety and protection of the public. If
a child is removed from the physical custody of his or her parents,
preferential consideration shall be given whenever possible to the
placement of the child with the relative as required by Section 7950
of the Family Code. If the child is removed from his or her own
family, it is the purpose of this chapter to secure as nearly as
possible for the child the custody, care, and discipline equivalent
to that which should have been given to the child by his or her
parents. It is further the intent of the Legislature to reaffirm its
commitment to children who are in out-of-home placement to live in
the least restrictive, most family like setting and to live as close
to the child's family as possible pursuant to subdivision (c) of
Section 16501.1. Family reunification services shall be provided for
expeditious reunification of the child with his or her family, as
required by law. If reunification is not possible or likely, a
permanent alternative shall be developed.
   (b) It is further the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all
pupils in foster care and those who are homeless as defined by the
federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301
et seq.) have the opportunity to meet the challenging state pupil
academic achievement standards to which all pupils are held. In
fulfilling their responsibilities to pupils in foster care,
educators, county placing agencies, care providers, advocates, and
the juvenile courts shall work together to maintain stable school
placements and to ensure that each pupil is placed in the least
restrictive educational programs, and has access to the academic
resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities
that are available to all pupils. In all instances, educational and
school placement decisions  must   shall 
be based on the best interests of the child.