Dependent children: placement.

Under existing law, a child who is removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or parents in dependency proceedings may be placed with a parent, relative, legal guardian, or other specified persons or in specified placement homes or facilities. Existing law gives preferential consideration to a request by a relative of the dependant child for placement of the child with the relative, as specified. Existing law requires the county social worker and the court to consider certain factors in determining whether placement with a relative is appropriate, including, among others, the best interest of the child and the nature and duration of the relationship between the child and the relative, as specified. Existing law requires that, subsequent to a specified hearing on the proper disposition to be made of the child, whenever a new placement of the child must be made, consideration for placement to again be given to relatives who have not been found to be unsuitable and who will fulfill the child's reunification or permanent plan requirements. This bill would require the county social worker and the court, when determining whether placement with a relative is appropriate, to consider the above-described factors on a case-by-case basis. This bill also would require that consideration for placement with a relative subsequent to the disposition hearing described above be given again without regard to whether a new placement of a child must be made. By increasing the duties of county social workers, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Judicial Council to adopt a rule of court, effective January 1, 2016, that implements these provisions in regard to the consideration of relatives for placement subsequent to the disposition hearing described above. 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.