BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 726|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 726
Author: Florez (D)
Amended: 5/17/05
Vote: 21
SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE : 5-0, 4/26/05
AYES : Maldonado, Aanestad, Alarcon, Alquist, Flores
NO VOTE RECORDED : Simitian, Chesbro
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE : 6-1, 5/10/05
AYES: Dunn, Morrow, Cedillo, Escutia, Figueroa, Kuehl
NOES: Ackerman
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 11-0, 5/23/05
AYES: Migden, Aanestad, Alquist, Ashburn, Battin, Bowen,
Dutton, Escutia, Florez, Ortiz, Poochigian
NO VOTE RECORDED: Murray, Speier
SUBJECT : Dependent children
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill enacts Adams Law, which makes several
changes to the statutes governing the removal of a child
from a home and placement with the noncustodial parent.
ANALYSIS : Under current law, a child that is at risk of
abuse or neglect may become a dependent of the juvenile
court. The court is required to place the child with a
parent who desires the child if it determines that this
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parent was not with the child at the time of abuse or
neglect and that placing the child with this parent would
not be detrimental to the child. In this case, the court
may do one of two things: (1) order that the parent become
legal and physical custodian of the child, or (2) order
that the parent assume custody subject to the supervision
of the juvenile court, in which case the court may also
order reunification services for the family.
This bill adds a third option: that the social worker
conduct a home visit within three months of placing the
child with the noncustodial parent and submit a related
report to the court.
The bill also requires the social worker to inform the
noncustodial parent of their right to provide the court
with input regarding the child's placement, and requests
that the caregiver provide such information on a specified
form.
It is estimated that approximately ten percent of cases per
year could be impacted by the provisions of this bill.
Increased mandated, potentially reimbursable, costs to
local child welfare agencies to comply with the home visit
and notification requirements of the bill are unknown, but
probably less than $150,000 annually if it took each social
worker two hours to comply. On the other hand, to the
extent the court order option three, rather than option
two, and assuming those families would have otherwise
received full reunification services, there could be
offsetting cost savings.
Any increased costs to the courts will probably be minor
and absorbable.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2005-06 2006-07
2007-08 Fund
DSS Minor,
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absorbable costs General/
Federal
Local child welfare Unknown mandated, potentially
Local/
reimbursable costs,
probably General
under $150 annually
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/25/05)
Junior Leagues of California
CTW:cm 5/25/05 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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