BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2060
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 16, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                   AB 2060 (Bonilla) - As Amended:  April 30, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              Judiciary Vote:10 
          - 0 

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          Yes    Reimbursable:              Yes

           SUMMARY  

          This bill codifies current court procedures as they pertain to 
          the appointment of a responsible adult authorized to make 
          educational decisions for a child under the jurisdiction of the 
          juvenile court.  Specifically, this bill:  

          1)Requires the court, when it limits a parent's educational 
            rights, to determine whether there is a responsible adult, who 
            is a relative, non-relative extended family member or other 
            adult known to the child who is willing and able to serve as 
            the child's educational representative.  

          2)Provides that, if an educational representative or surrogate 
            is appointed for the child, the representative or surrogate 
            must meet with the child, investigate the child's educational 
            needs and determine whether those needs are being met, and, 
            prior to each review hearing, provide information and 
            recommendations concerning the child's educational needs to 
            the social worker or probation officer, make written 
            recommendations to the court and participate in those portions 
            of the review hearing that concern the child's education.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          This bill establishes in statute the process that judges are 
          currently following under existing law, based on prior statute 
          and precedent.  Therefore, there are no costs associated with 
          this legislation. 

           COMMENTS  









                                                                  AB 2060
                                                                  Page  2

           Rationale  . This bill, sponsored by Public Council, Children's 
          Rights Project, is intended to ensure the continuity and 
          accessibility of educational services for students involved with 
          the juvenile court.  The juvenile court seeks to protect the 
          safety and wellbeing of children who are at risk of, or have 
          experienced abuse or neglect.  The courts' responsibilities 
          include meeting the child's educational needs and goals.  When 
          the parents of children under the supervision of the juvenile 
          court are found by the court to be unsuitable to make 
          educational decisions on behalf of their children, the court may 
          appoint a responsible adult to serve as the child's "education 
          rights holder."  This bill simply places current practice into 
          statute to ensure uniformity. 

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916) 
          319-2081