Bill Text: CA AB2000 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Wards: termination of juvenile court jurisdiction.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Senate committee without further action. [AB2000 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB2000-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2000	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Campos

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2016

   An act to add Section 607.6 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to juveniles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2000, as introduced, Campos. Wards: termination of juvenile
court jurisdiction.
   Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court,
which may adjudge a minor to be a ward of the court on the basis of
the minor's delinquent behavior. Under existing law, the jurisdiction
of the juvenile court may continue until the ward attains 21 or 25
years of age, depending on the nature of the offense. Existing law
requires the juvenile court to hold a hearing prior to terminating
jurisdiction over a ward who is subject to an order of foster care,
as specified. Under existing law, whenever the juvenile court
terminates jurisdiction over a ward who has also been designated a
dependent of the court or previously placed into foster care, the
probation or parole officer is required to provide the ward with
specified information and documents relating to benefits for former
foster children.
   This bill would require the juvenile court to conduct a hearing
prior to terminating jurisdiction over a ward who has attained 18
years of age and who is either placed out of the home by the juvenile
court or who is returning to an unstable home environment. The bill
would require the probation department to provide certain
information, documents, and services to the ward before the court may
terminate jurisdiction. By imposing this duty on probation officers,
this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill
would also direct the Judicial Council to develop and implement
standards and forms necessary to implement these provisions.
   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 607.6 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   607.6.  (a) The juvenile court shall not terminate jurisdiction
over a ward who has attained 18 years of age and who is either placed
out of the home by the juvenile court in the most recent order or
who is returning to an unstable home environment, until a hearing is
conducted pursuant to this section and the probation department has
submitted a report verifying that the following information,
documents, and services have been provided to the ward, or in the
case of a ward who, after reasonable efforts by the probation
department, cannot be located, verifying the efforts made to make the
following available to the ward:
   (1) Written information concerning the ward's case, including any
known information regarding the ward's Indian heritage or tribal
connections, if applicable, directions on how to access the documents
the ward is entitled to inspect under Section 827, and the date on
which the jurisdiction of the juvenile court would be terminated.
   (2) Written information regarding any psychoactive or other
medications that the ward is taking, including the dosage, the reason
the medications were prescribed, contact information of the
prescribing doctor or psychiatrist, and information regarding how to
maintain the medication regimen if the ward so chooses.
   (3) The following documents:
   (A) Social security card.
   (B) Certified copy of his or her birth certificate.
   (C) Health and education summary, as described in subdivision (a)
of Section 16010.
   (D) Driver's license, as described in Section 12500 of the Vehicle
Code, or identification card, as described in Section 13000 of the
Vehicle Code.
   (E) A letter prepared by the probation department that includes
the following information:
   (i) The ward's name and date of birth.
   (ii) The dates during which the ward was within the jurisdiction
of the juvenile court.
   (iii) A statement that the ward was a youth in compliance with
state and federal financial aid documentation requirements.
   (F) If applicable, the death certificate of the parent or parents.

   (G) If applicable, proof of the ward's citizenship or legal
residence.
   (H) An advance health care directive form.
   (4) Referrals for assistance with completing an application for
Medi-Cal or referrals for assistance with obtaining other health
insurance.
   (5) Referrals to transitional housing, if available, or referrals
to other housing.
   (6) Referrals for assistance with obtaining employment or other
financial support.
   (7) Assistance in applying for admission to college or to a
vocational training program or other educational institution and in
obtaining financial aid, where appropriate.
   (8) If the ward has been in out-of-home placement for six months
or longer from the date the ward entered foster care or a long-term
detention facility, contact information in the ward's file for
individuals who are important to the ward, based on the ward's best
interests.
   (9) For wards between 18 and 21 years of age who were placed in
foster care, assistance in accessing the Independent Living Aftercare
Program in the ward's county of residence.
   (b) At any hearing for a ward who has turned 18 years of age at
which the court is considering terminating jurisdiction, the
probation department shall ensure that the nonminor is present in
court, unless the nonminor does not wish to appear in court and
elects a telephonic appearance, or shall document reasonable efforts
made by the probation department to locate the ward when the ward is
not available.
   (c) At the hearing closest to and before a ward's 18th birthday
and every review hearing thereafter for nonminor wards, the probation
department shall submit a report describing efforts toward
completing the items described in subparagraphs (E) to (H),
inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
   (d) If the ward has met his or her rehabilitative goal and
requests immediate termination of jurisdiction, the termination shall
not be delayed if the probation department has not complied with
this section.
   (e) The Judicial Council shall develop and implement standards,
and develop and adopt appropriate forms, necessary to implement this
section.
  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.