BILL NUMBER: AB 2817	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Maze

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2006

   An act to amend Section 16000 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to social services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2817, as introduced, Maze  Child welfare services.
   Existing law, relating to child welfare services, 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, and to ensure that a pupil in
foster care or who is homeless, as defined by specified federal law,
has the opportunity to meet the academic achievement standards to
which all pupils are held, is placed in the least restrictive
educational programs, and has access to the academic resources,
services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities as all other
pupils.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive revision to that
provision.
   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 familylike 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 be based
on the best interests of the child.