California Assembly Bill AB921 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 921AMENDED BILL TEXT 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, as amended, 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  to be placed  in foster care among other placements, as specified. Existing law provides for the termination of the juvenile court when the minor reaches a specified age. This bill would require the juvenile court, whenever it orders a hearing to terminate, on the basis of age, the jurisdiction of the court over a  dependent child or  ward who was  in foster care   previously adjudged a dependent child of the juvenile court  , to order the  social worker or  probation officer to provide to the  dependent child or  ward a written notice stating that the person is a former foster child and is eligible for the services and benefits that are available to a former foster child through public and private programs, and to provide to the ward all necessary information regarding 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. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the juvenile court orders a hearing to terminate, on the basis of age, the jurisdiction of the court, over a  dependent child or a ward who was in foster care at any time, the court shall order the social worker or probation officer, as applicable, to provide to the dependent child or   ward who was previously adjudged a dependent child of the court pursuant to Section 300, the court shall order the probation officer to provide to the  ward both of the following: (a) A written notice stating that the person is a former foster child and is 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. (b) All necessary information regarding 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.