Jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

Existing law places a person who is under 18 years of age within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for certain offenses, including, among others, the person habitually refuses to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of his or her parents or is habitually truant, as specified. Existing law also places a person who is under 18 years of age when he or she violates any law of this state or of the United States or specified ordinances of any city or county of this state to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Existing law authorizes a juvenile court to adjudge a person under these circumstances to be a ward of the court. This bill would modify the ages that a person must be to fall within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or adjudged a ward of the court under these circumstances to between 12 years of age and 17 years of age, inclusive, except that any minor who is under 12 years of age when he or she is alleged to have committed murder or rape, sodomy, oral copulation, or sexual penetration by force, violence, or threat of great bodily harm would still be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and may be adjudged a ward of the court. On and after January 1, 2020, the bill would, if a minor under 12 years of age comes to the attention of law enforcement because his or her behavior or actions are as described under existing law, require the county to release the minor to his or her parent, guardian, or caregiver, except as provided. On and after January 1, 2020, the bill would require counties to develop a process for determining the least restrictive responses that may be used instead of, or in addition to, the release of the minor to his or her parent, guardian, or caregiver. By imposing additional duties on counties, the 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 the statutory provisions noted above.