California Assembly Bill AB1067 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1067INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Gipson FEBRUARY 26, 2015 An act to amend Section 16000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1067, as introduced, Gipson. Child welfare. Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to preserve and strengthen a child's family ties whenever possible, removing the child from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for his or her welfare or for the safety and protection of the public. Existing law includes various provisions relating to appropriate placement and other services for children in foster care. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those 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 16000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 16000. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to preserve and strengthen a child's family ties whenever possible, removing the child from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for his or her welfare or for the safety and protection of the public. If a child is removed from the physical custody of his or her parents, preferential consideration shall be given whenever possible to the placement of the child with the relative as required by Section 7950 of the Family Code. If the child is removed from his or her own family, it is the purpose of this chapter to secure as nearly as possible for the child the custody, care, and discipline equivalent to that which should have been given to the child by his or her parents. It is further the intent of the Legislature to reaffirm its commitment to children who are in out-of-home placement to live in the least restrictive, most familylike setting and to live as close to the child's family as possible pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 16501.1. Family reunification services shall be provided for expeditious reunification of the child with his or her family, as required by law. If reunification is  not possible or likely,   impossible or unlikely,  a permanent alternative shall be developed. (b) It is further the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all pupils in foster care and those who are  homeless   homeless,  as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et  seq.)   seq.),  have the opportunity to meet the challenging state pupil academic achievement standards to which all pupils are held. In fulfilling their responsibilities to pupils in foster care, educators, county placing agencies, care providers, advocates, and the juvenile courts shall work together to maintain stable school placements and to ensure that each pupil is placed in the least restrictive educational programs, and has access to the academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all pupils. In all instances, educational and school placement decisions  must   shall  be based on the best interests of the child.