Juveniles: prostitution.

Existing law subjects any person under 18 years of age who commits a crime to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge that person to be a ward of the court, except as specified. Existing law authorizes a probation officer, in certain circumstances, to delineate a specific program of supervision of a minor who is alleged to have committed a crime in lieu of requesting that the prosecuting attorney file a petition to declare the minor a ward of the juvenile court. Existing law makes a minor ineligible for this program of supervision if he or she has previously participated in a program of supervision. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to solicit or engage in any act of prostitution or to loiter in a public place in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose and with the intent to commit prostitution. This bill would require the probation officer, in a case in which a minor is alleged to have committed those prostitution-related offenses, to delineate a specific program of supervision for the minor in lieu of requesting that the prosecuting attorney file a petition to have the minor declared a ward of the juvenile court. The bill would also allow these minors to participate in a program of supervision even if they have previously participated in a program of supervision. The bill would further require the probation officer to make a report to the county child welfare agency if the officer has reason to believe the minor is the victim of abuse or neglect, as specified. By increasing the duties of probation officers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.