Wards: probation.

Section 602.05(g): The custodial commitment exemption was expanded to include juvenile hall (previously only juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp) and narrowed to apply only 'while serving' a custodial commitment rather than at any time after being committed. It also now specifies the commitment must be 'pursuant to Section 730.'

Section 602.05(h): The secure youth treatment facility exemption was restructured. Previously it excluded wards who were 'discharged or transferred' from such a facility. Now it separately excludes (1) wards transferred to a less restrictive program under Section 875(f)(2), and (2) wards discharged specifically through a probation discharge hearing under Section 875(e). This narrows the exception so that not all discharges from secure youth treatment facilities are exempt - only those via the specified probation discharge hearing process.

Section 602.05(f): A typo was corrected, changing 'shall not be a the sole basis' to 'shall not be the sole basis.'

Converted from enrolled bill format to chaptered statute format: removed Assembly/Senate passage lines and Governor's receipt block, added 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL' header, assigned Chapter 575, recorded approval date of October 10, 2025, and changed page headers from 'AB 1376' to 'Ch. 575'. No changes to statutory text.

The probation time cap is now clearly set at 12 months from the most recent disposition hearing, resolving prior contradictory language that referenced both nine and twelve months.

The limitation that extensions could only be made in increments not to exceed six months was removed, giving courts more flexibility in the length of each extension.

A new provision allows the court to continue a noticed hearing for good cause, with probation continuing until the hearing is completed, provided the continuance is only as long as necessary.

Wards serving a custodial commitment to a juvenile hall are now explicitly exempted from the 12-month probation cap, in addition to those in juvenile homes, ranches, camps, or forestry camps.

A new exemption was added for wards ordered under Section 727(a)(3) for placement under probation officer supervision, meaning the time-limit provisions do not apply to these wards.

The exemption for wards discharged from secure youth treatment facilities was expanded to also cover wards discharged pursuant to a probation discharge hearing under Section 875(e), not just those transferred to less restrictive programs.

Four new legislative findings were added encouraging counties to minimize probation time through best practices, set termination hearings within a year of disposition, avoid processing delays, and give youth pathways to shorten their probation.

New language clarifies that nothing in the section precludes the court from holding progress review hearings at any point prior to the 12-month mark.

Assembly Member Haney was added as a coauthor alongside Assembly Member Elhawary.

The maximum probation period for a ward was extended from 9 months to 12 months, and the measurement point was clarified as running from the disposition hearing rather than being an undifferentiated 9-month cap.

The language governing post-extension hearings was clarified to require that subsequent noticed hearings be held pursuant to subdivision (b), meaning they must follow the same procedural standards (probation agency report, opportunity for parties to present evidence, preponderance of the evidence standard) as the initial extension hearing.

A new exemption was added (subdivision (g)) stating that the probation time limits do not apply to a ward who is committed to a juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp. This means youth in those residential placements are not subject to the 12-month cap or the extension hearing requirements.

The maximum base probation period for a juvenile ward increased from 6 months to 9 months under new Section 602.05(a).

The standard for extending probation beyond the base period changed from 'in the ward's best interest' to 'in the ward's and the public's best interest,' adding a public safety consideration that courts must weigh at extension hearings.

Assembly Member Elhawary was added as a co-author of the bill.

A duplicate word 'repair' appears in Section 729 ('paint, repair repair, or replace'), likely an unintentional typo introduced in the Senate amendment.

The maximum initial probation period for a juvenile ward is increased from 6 months to 9 months in Section 602.05(a). The corresponding reference in subdivision (f) is also updated from 'six-month' to 'nine-month.'

Throughout Sections 729, 729.1, 729.2, 729.6, 729.8, 729.9, and 742.16, mandatory language ('shall') is changed to discretionary language ('may'), meaning courts are no longer required to impose restitution, community service, counseling, or other conditions as probation terms. Courts now have discretion in each case.

Section 730(b) removes the authority to require a ward to go to work and earn money for support of dependents or reparation, including the requirement to keep an account of earnings and report to the probation officer.

Section 730(a)(1)(A) no longer authorizes the court to order a fine up to $250 for deposit in the county treasury or participation in uncompensated work programs. Only restitution remains as a financial condition.

Section 729.6 no longer requires counseling to be at the expense of the minor's parents. The amended version simply allows the court to order the minor to attend counseling, removing the parental cost-shifting language entirely.