BILL NUMBER: AB 921	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 31, 2009
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 17, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 26, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Jones
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano, Beall, and Portantino)

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to add Section 607.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to children.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 921, Jones.  Juvenile court jurisdiction: services and
benefits.
   Existing law provides that a minor may be adjudged a dependent
child or a ward of the juvenile court under specified circumstances.
Existing law authorizes the court to place a minor who has been
removed from the custody of his or her parent or guardian in foster
care among other placements, as specified. Existing law provides for
the termination of the juvenile court jurisdiction when the minor
reaches a specified age.
   This bill would require a probation officer or parole officer,
whenever the juvenile court terminates jurisdiction over a ward, or
upon release of a ward from a nonfoster care facility, to provide to
the person a written notice stating that the person is a former
foster child and may be eligible for the services and benefits that
are available to a former foster child through public and private
programs, and information that informs the person of the availability
of, and assistance to enable the ward to apply for and gain
acceptance into, federal and state programs that provide independent
living services and benefits to former foster children for which the
person is or may be eligible.
   By imposing additional duties upon probation officers, this bill
would create a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 607.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   607.5.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever
the juvenile court terminates jurisdiction over a ward, or upon
release of a ward from a nonfoster care facility, a probation officer
or parole officer shall provide the person with everything
identified in subdivisions (b) and (c). This section shall apply to
any ward who was previously adjudged a dependent child of the court
pursuant to Section 300 or a child who at any time has been placed in
foster care pursuant to Section 727.
   (b) A written notice stating that the person is a former foster
child and may be eligible for the services and benefits that are
available to a former foster child through public and private
programs, including, but not limited to, any independent living
program for former foster children.
   (c) Information that informs the person of the availability of,
and assistance to enable the person to apply for and gain acceptance
into, federal and state programs that provide independent living
services and benefits to former foster children, including, but not
limited to, financial assistance, housing, and educational resources,
for which he or she is or may be eligible.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.