Juveniles: reunification orders.

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. Additionally, a minor who is in wardship proceedings may be removed from the physical custody of his or her parents if the court finds that remaining in the home would be contrary to the minor's welfare in addition to other specified findings, including that removal is necessary to protect the minor or another person or the person's property. When a minor is removed from the physical custody of his or her parents in dependency or wardship proceedings, existing law generally requires that reunification services be provided to a minor and his or her family. Existing law also provides for periodic status review hearings, at which the court must return a minor to the physical custody of his or her parents unless the court makes specified findings. This bill would require the court to consider the admissible and relevant evidence before issuing an order returning a minor to the physical custody of his or her parents in dependency or wardship proceedings. This bill would incorporate additional changes in Sections 366.21, 366.22, and 366.25 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 1712 and SB 1064, that would become operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2013, and this bill is chaptered last.