California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 545

Introduced by Assembly Member Mitchell

February 20, 2013

An act to amend Section 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 545, as introduced, Mitchell. Dependent children: placement: nonrelative extended family member.

Existing law sets forth various placement options for children who have been adjudged dependent children of the juvenile court and removed from their homes on the basis of neglect or abuse, as specified, which include placement within the approved home of a nonrelative extended family member. Existing law requires that when the home of a nonrelative extended family member is being considered for placement of a child, the home shall be evaluated, and approval of that home shall be granted or denied, pursuant to specified standards set forth in the regulations for the licensing of foster family homes. Existing law defines “nonrelative extended family member” as an adult caregiver who has an established familial or mentoring relationship with the child.

This bill would expand the definition of a nonrelative extended family member to include an adult caregiver who has an established familial relationship with the family.

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 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code is amended to read:

362.7.  

When the home of a nonrelative extended family
member is being considered for placement of a child, the home
shall be evaluated, and approval of that home shall be granted or
denied, pursuant to the same standards set forth in the regulations
for the licensing of foster family homes begin delete which end delete begin insert that end insert prescribe
standards of safety and sanitation for the physical plant and
standards for basic personal care, supervision, and services
provided by the caregiver.

A “nonrelative extended family member” is defined as begin delete any end delete begin insert an end insert
adult caregiver who has an established familial begin insert relationship with
the family, or a familial end insert or mentoring relationship with the child.
The county welfare department shall verify the existence of a
relationship through interviews with the parent and child or with
one or more third parties. The parties may include relatives of the
child, teachers, medical professionals, clergy, neighbors, and family
friends.