Dependent children: documents: housing.

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which is permitted to adjudge certain children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, and prescribes various hearings and other procedures for these purposes. Under existing law, the county welfare department is required to submit reports at the first regularly scheduled review hearing after a dependent child has attained 16 years of age and at the last regularly scheduled review hearing before a dependent child attains 18 years of age, and at every regularly scheduled review hearing thereafter, verifying that specified information, documents, and services have been provided to the minor or nonminor, including, if applicable, referrals to transitional housing or assistance in securing other stable housing. Under existing law, dependency jurisdiction over a nonminor dependent who has attained 18 years of age shall not terminate until a hearing is conducted and the department has submitted a report, as specified. This bill would, at the last regularly scheduled review hearing held before a dependent child attains 18 years of age and at a hearing that would terminate dependency jurisdiction over a nonminor dependent who has attained 18 years of age, additionally require the county welfare department to include in its report whether housing referrals or assistance have been successful at securing housing, and, if not, what different or additional services have been provided by the department, or by another county department or agency, that are intended to prevent the minor or nonminor from becoming homeless if jurisdiction is terminated, and the duration of the housing, if known. By increasing the reporting duties of county welfare departments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 391 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 674 to be operative only if this bill and AB 674 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.