BILL NUMBER: SB 1469INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Runner FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act to amend Section 396 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1469, as introduced, Runner. Juveniles: dependent children. Existing law provides that a minor may be removed from the physical custody of his or her parents if there is a substantial danger to the physical health of the child or the child is suffering severe emotional damage and there are no reasonable means to protect the child without removing him or her. When a minor is removed from the physical custody of his or her parents in dependency proceedings, existing law generally requires that reunification services be provided to a minor and his or her family. Existing law also provides that it is the policy of the Legislature that family reunification, adoption, or guardianship is preferable to long-term foster care placement and that children should not be moved between foster homes until they reach the age of majority. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 396 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 396. It is the policy of the Legislature thatfoster: (a) Foster care should be a temporary method of care for the children of this state, that children. (b) Children have a right to a normal home life free from abuse, that reunification. (c) Reunification with the natural parent or parents or another alternate permanent living situation such as adoption or guardianship is more suitable to a child's well-being than is foster care, that this. (d) This state has a responsibility to attempt to ensure that children are given the chance to have happy and healthy lives, and that, to. (e) To the extent possible, the current practice of moving children receiving foster care services from one foster home to another until they reach the age of majority should be discontinued.