Dependent children: placement.

Existing law authorizes a peace officer to take a child into temporary custody under certain circumstances, including if he or she has reasonable cause for believing that the child is the victim of abuse or neglect. Under existing law, if the child is not released to his or her parent or guardian, the juvenile court is required to hold certain hearings to determine whether the child should be adjudged a dependent of the juvenile court, including a detention hearing, jurisdictional hearing, and disposition hearing. Under existing law, if an able and willing relative or nonrelative extended family member, as defined, is available and requests temporary placement of the child pending the detention hearing, the county welfare department is required to initiate an assessment of the relative's or nonrelative extended family member's suitability, as specified. This bill would expand this provision to apply to an able and willing relative or nonrelative extended family member who requests temporary placement of the child after the detention hearing and pending the dispositional hearing. By requiring the county welfare department to conduct these additional assessments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires that preferential consideration be given to a request by a relative of a child who has been adjudged a dependent of the juvenile court for placement of the child with the relative, as specified. Existing law requires the county social worker, in determining whether placement with a relative is appropriate, to consider certain factors, including the placement of siblings and half-siblings in the same home, if that placement is found to be in the best interest of each of the children. Existing law also requires that, in any case in which more than one appropriate relative requests preferential consideration, each relative be considered under those factors. This bill would require the county social worker, in determining whether placement with a relative is appropriate, to consider the placement of siblings and half-siblings in the same home, unless that placement would be contrary to the safety and well-being of any of the siblings. The bill would also state that these provisions do not limit the county social worker's ability to place a child in the home of an appropriate relative or a nonrelative extended family member pending the consideration of other relatives who have requested preferential consideration. 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.