BILL ANALYSIS
SB 945
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 945 (Liu)
As Amended June 24, 2010
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :30-0
HUMAN SERVICES 5-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-1
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|Ayes:|Beall, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, |
| |Ammiano, Chesbro, | |Bradford, |
| |Portantino | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| | | |Davis, |
| | | |De Leon, Gatto, Hall, |
| | | |Harkey, Nielsen, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Torlakson, |
| | | |Torrico |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Norby |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires probation and parole officers to provide
wards of the court formerly in foster care with notification
regarding their eligibility for services and benefits available
for former foster youth when the court terminates jurisdiction,
or upon release of a ward from a non-foster care facility.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires that, when the juvenile court terminates jurisdiction
and releases a ward from any facility other than a foster care
facility, the probation or parole officer must provide the
youth with the following:
a) A written notice stating the person's status as a former
foster youth, and that person's possible eligibility for
services and benefits provided by public and private
programs, including independent living program (ILP)
services; and,
b) Information regarding, and assistance with applying for
state and federal benefits and services, including ILP
SB 945
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services the person may be eligible to receive.
2)Specifies that this section applies to any ward previously
adjudged a dependent child pursuant to Welfare and
Institutions Code (WIC) Section 300, or a child placed in
foster care pursuant to WIC Section 727.
EXISTING STATE LAW :
1)Provides that the juvenile court may establish jurisdiction
over an abused or neglected child as a dependent of the
juvenile court. WIC Section 300.
2)Provides that the juvenile court may adjudge a child who has
committed criminal acts, or who is habitually disobedient or
truant, a ward of the court. WIC Sections 601 and 602.
3)Establishes a process whereby the juvenile court determines
the appropriate status designation for a child when he or she
appears to come within the description of both ward and
dependent status, with an agreed upon recommendation submitted
to the juvenile court by the county probation department and
child welfare services on which status will serve the best
interests of the child and the protection of society. WIC
Section 241.1.
4)Authorizes the county probation department and child welfare
services department in consultation with the juvenile court,
to develop protocols for designating a child or youth who is
both a ward and dependent of the juvenile court a "dual
status" child. WIC Section 241.1.
EXISTING FEDERAL LAW establishes the ILP which allows states to
apply for grants to provide assistance to former foster youth 18
to 21 years of age with their efforts to achieve
self-sufficiency and to prepare them with making a transition
from adolescence to adulthood. 42 U.S.C. 677.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, minimal reimbursable local costs, likely less than
$50,000, for the workload associated with probation officers
providing wards the required information and assistance.
COMMENTS :
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Need for this bill : According to the author:
Unfortunately, a segment of the foster youth
population?are unable to access services because they
cannot prove their status as a former foster
youth?When these children emancipate from the juvenile
delinquency court status, rather than from dependency
court status, they are effectively denied access to
private and non-profit programs designed to assist
former foster youth?
This bill would clarify that probation and parole officers are
required to provide wards exiting from a juvenile justice
detention facility with documentation of their status as former
foster youth, and to inform them about their eligibility for
services and benefits available to former foster youth to assist
them with their transition to adulthood. This bill would not
change existing eligibility for ILP services or other services
provided to former foster youth.
Support : The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
notes that providing foster or former foster youth with
paperwork to assist them in obtaining services upon
termination of the juvenile court jurisdiction over the
ward will help with reducing adult and juvenile recidivism.
Analysis Prepared by : Michelle Doty Cabrera / HUM. S. / (916)
319-2089
FN: 0005191