Family reunification services.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Enrolled
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, known as the ReUNITY Act, changes how California juvenile courts handle reunification services for children removed from their parents’ or guardians’ care. Currently, courts must provide reunification services even if a parent has a violent felony conviction within the past five years. This bill requires a conviction within the past five years and necessitates a finding of specific circumstances, such as the victim being a child or having a connection to the victim, before reunification services are required. It also emphasizes the child’s best interest and requires courts to consider whether reunification would be detrimental to the child’s well-being.
Key provisions
- Requires a violent felony conviction within the past five years to disqualify a parent or guardian from reunification services.
- Requires a finding of specific circumstances (child or connection to victim) before reunification services are mandated.
- Mandates that the court find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that reunification is in the best interest of the child or that the parent/guardian does not qualify for reunification services.
- Extends reunification service time periods up to 24 months in certain circumstances, including incarceration or deportation.
- Provides exceptions to reunification services for parents with specific mental disabilities or who have been deported.
- Clarifies the definition of ‘sibling group’ for reunification services.
- Provides that no reimbursement is required for a specified reason.
- Establishes a process for determining the best permanency plan for a child, including guardianship and tribal customary adoption.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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