(1) Under existing law, a child may come within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and become a dependent child of the court in certain cases, including when the child is abused, a parent or guardian fails to adequately supervise or protect the child, as specified, or a parent or guardian fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law generally 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. Existing law requires the responsible local agency to make a diligent effort in all out-of-home placements of dependent children to place siblings together in the same placement, and to develop and maintain sibling relationships. This bill would extend that requirement to all out-of-home placements of wards in foster care. By imposing additional duties on local agencies, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law permits any person to petition the juvenile court to assert a sibling relationship with a dependent child or a child who is the subject of a petition for adjudication as a dependent child and make certain requests, including a request for visitation with the dependent child. This bill would also authorize a dependent child or a nonminor dependent to request visitation with a sibling who is in the physical custody of a common legal or biological parent. The bill would authorize a court to grant those requests for visitation, unless it is determined by the court that visitation is contrary to the safety and well-being of any of the siblings. This bill would authorize any person, including a ward, a transition dependent, or a nonminor dependent of the juvenile court, to petition the court to assert a relationship as a sibling and make certain requests, including a request for visitation, with a sibling who is, or is the subject of an adjudication as, a ward of the juvenile court, as specified. The bill would authorize a ward, transition dependent, or nonminor dependent to assert a relationship as a sibling and request visitation with a nondependent sibling who is in the physical custody of a common legal or biological parent. The bill would authorize a court to grant those requests for visitation, unless it is determined by the court that visitation is contrary to the safety and well-being of any of the siblings. (3) Existing law requires, in order to maintain ties between the parent or guardian and any siblings and a child placed in foster care, an order placing a child in foster care and ordering reunification services to provide for visitation between the parent or guardian and the child and for visitation between any siblings and the child. This bill would additionally require an order placing a child in foster care and ordering reunification services to provide for review of the reasons for any suspension of sibling visitation at each periodic review hearing and for a requirement that, in order for the suspension to continue, a court make a renewed finding that sibling interaction is contrary to the safety or well-being of either child. (4) Existing law requires that the status of a dependent child in foster care be reviewed periodically, but no less frequently than once every 6 months. Existing law requires a court to determine specified information at that hearing, including whether the child has any siblings under the court's jurisdiction, and, if any siblings exist and are not placed with the child, the frequency and nature of the visits between siblings. Existing law requires a social worker or child advocate appointed by the court, when preparing certain social studies or evaluations, to include specified information, including whether the child has any siblings under the court's jurisdiction, and, if any siblings exist and are not placed with the child, the frequency and nature of the visits between siblings. This bill would additionally require, if any siblings exist and are not placed with the child, the court to determine, and require a social worker or child advocate appointed by the court to include in those social studies or evaluations, whether any visits between the siblings are supervised or unsupervised, and if visits are supervised, a discussion of the reasons why the visits are supervised, and what needs to be accomplished in order for the visits to be unsupervised, a description of the location and length of any visits, and any plan to increase visitation between siblings. By requiring county social workers to include additional information in certain social studies or evaluations, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (5) Existing law requires, after a minor is adjudged to be a ward of the court, the court to hear evidence on the question of the proper disposition to be made of the minor. Existing law requires the probation officer to prepare a case plan if placement in foster care is recommended by the probation officer, or if the minor is already in foster care placement or pending placement. Existing law requires the probation officer to include, among other things, scheduled visits between the minor and his or her family and an explanation if no visits are made. This bill would additionally require the probation officer to include specified information relating to the child's siblings. By imposing additional duties on probation officers, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. (6) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 358.1 and 366.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, proposed by SB 977, that would become operative only if this bill and SB 977 are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2015, and this bill is chaptered last. The bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 16002 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, proposed by SB 1460, that would become operative only if this bill and SB 1460 are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2015, and this bill is chaptered last. The bill would also incorporate additional changes to Section 361.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, proposed by SB 977 and SB 1460, that would become operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2015, and this bill is chaptered last. (7) 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.
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Title 38 of the United States Code provides educational awards for eligible active duty members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. Existing law requires an institution headquartered or operating in California desiring to enroll students eligible for federal Title 38 awards in accredited institutions and programs to make application for approval of these courses to the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education, commonly known as CSAAVE, and authorizes CSAAVE to approve the application of the school when the school and its accredited courses satisfy the specified criteria and any additional reasonable criteria established by CSAAVE. Unless an exception applies, this bill would deem a public or private postsecondary educational institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education eligible for Title 38 awards if the institution satisfies specified criteria for qualification for Title 38 awards in the bill. The bill would, if another specified bill is enacted, deem an institution that may claim a specified exemption from the requirements of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 eligible for Title 38 awards if the institution satisfies other criteria for qualification for Title 38 awards in this bill. The bill would deem a private postsecondary educational institution eligible for Title 38 awards if the institution is issued an approval to operate from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, as specified, and satisfies the other criteria for qualification for Title 38 awards in the bill. The bill would require CSAAVE to notify initial Title 38 recipients seeking to attend, or attending, an institution that is ineligible for Title 38 awards that the institution is ineligible for Title 38 awards for the academic year, and to provide initial and renewal Title 38 recipients at an ineligible institution with a complete list of all California postsecondary educational institutions at which the student would be eligible to receive a Title 38 award.
(1) Under existing law, when the Department of Motor Vehicles determines that an applicant is lawfully entitled to a driver's license, the department is required to issue that license to the applicant. Existing law specifies the contents of a driver's license and requires the application for a driver's license or identification card to contain a space for an applicant to indicate whether he or she has served in the Armed Forces of the United States and to give his or her consent to be contacted regarding eligibility to receive state or federal veterans' benefits. This bill would, commencing November 11, 2015, allow an in-person applicant for a driver's license or identification card to request the driver's license or identification card be printed with the word "VETERAN." The applicant would be required to present verification of veteran status to the Department of Motor Vehicles, on a form developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs in consultation with the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would require county veterans service offices to verify an applicant's veteran status for these purposes, as specified. The department would be required to print the word "VETERAN" on the face of a driver's license or identification card issued to a person who makes that request and presents that verification to the department. (2) Existing law establishes certain fee amounts for the applications for, and renewal of, driver's licenses and identification cards. This bill would require the department to charge an additional one-time fee of $5 to a person who requests that the person's driver's license or identification card be designated as provided above.
Existing law requires an elections official to request an electronic mail address from each military or overseas voter who registers to vote. Existing law allows a military or overseas voter who provides an electronic mail address to request that his or her application for a ballot be considered a standing request for electronic delivery of a ballot for all elections held through December 31 of the year following the calendar year of the date of the application, or another shorter period the voter specifies. Existing law requires an elections official to provide a ballot to a military or overseas voter who makes a standing request for each election to which the request is applicable. This bill would instead allow the application for a ballot to be considered a standing request for electronic delivery of a ballot for all elections conducted in the jurisdiction in which the military or overseas voter is eligible to vote and require the elections official to provide for electronic delivery of the ballot. Because this bill would impose additional duties on local elections officials, it 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.
Existing law generally regulates false advertising and specifically prohibits certain unfair acts or practices undertaken by, or omissions of, a person in the operation of a contest, including misrepresenting the odds of winning a prize or failing to award and distribute all prizes. A violation of this provision is a misdemeanor. This bill would apply the prohibition described above to unfair acts or practices undertaken by, or omissions of, a person in the operation of a sweepstakes, as defined. The bill would prohibit using or offering to use any method intended to be used by a person interacting with an electronic video monitor to simulate gambling or play gambling-themed games in a business establishment, as defined, that directly or indirectly implements the predetermination of sweepstakes cash, cash-equivalent prizes, or other prizes of value, or otherwise connects a sweepstakes player or participant with sweepstakes cash, cash-equivalent prizes, or other prizes of value. By creating new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also except from this prohibition game promotions and sweepstakes conducted on a limited basis as an advertising and marketing tool incidental to substantial bona fide sales of consumer products or services, as specified. 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.
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act authorizes specified state organ procurement organizations to establish a not-for-profit entity designated the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registrar, and requires that entity to establish and maintain the Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. The act requires the registrar to submit an annual written report to the State Public Health Officer and the Legislature with specified information, including the general characteristics of donors as may be determined by information provided on donor registry forms. Existing law authorizes a business to swipe a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles in any electronic device for prescribed verification and informational purposes. Existing law prohibits a business that swipes a driver's license or identification card in an electronic device from maintaining or using that information for any other purpose. A violation of those provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would authorize an organ procurement organization, as defined, to swipe a driver's license or identification card to transmit information to the registry described above for the purpose of allowing an individual to identify himself or herself as a registered organ donor, subject to a specified procedure. The bill would require that information gathered or transmitted pursuant to this authorization comply with the Department of Motor Vehicles Information Security Agreement. The bill would revise the reference to general characteristics of donors, described above, to instead refer to the nonidentifiable information, as specified, of donors and would require the registrar's annual report to include the nonidentifiable information of donors as may be determined by information transmitted to the registry, as specified. By expanding the types of information that a business may obtain, the unauthorized retention or use of which would be a crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Members of the board are required to be selected from outstanding lay citizens of California who have a strong interest in the further development and improvement of community colleges. This bill would specify that members of the board, to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and that the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and include, among others, disabled persons and veterans. The bill would also provide that each member of the board should bring his or her own best thinking and personal views to the board's discussion, as specified.
Existing law requires every person who takes any bird or mammal to first obtain a license issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Existing law requires the department to issue a license, upon payment of a base fee of $8.25, as adjusted, to a resident or nonresident who is under 16 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year for which he or she seeks a license. Existing law requires the department to issue a license to a resident of this state who is 16 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of $31.25, as adjusted, and to a nonresident who is 16 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of $108.50, as adjusted. Existing law requires the department to issue a 2-day license to a nonresident who is 16 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of $31.25, as adjusted. This bill would instead require the department, beginning July 1, 2015, and until July 1, 2020, to issue a license, upon payment of a base fee of $8.25, as adjusted, to a resident or nonresident who is under 18 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year for which he or she seeks a license. The bill would require the department, beginning July 1, 2015, and until July 1, 2020, to issue a 2-day license to a nonresident who is 18 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of $31.25, as adjusted. Existing regulations provide that entry permits to specified lands operated by the department will be issued to persons 16 or 17 years of age in possession of a valid resident or nonresident hunting license and authorize those persons to hunt by themselves, but prohibit them from being accompanied by a person under 16 years of age. This bill would codify those regulations.
Existing law, except as provided, prohibits the taking or possession of fully protected mammals or parts of those mammals at any time. Existing law establishes a list of fully protected mammals, including bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) generally, but excepts Nelson bighorn sheep (subspecies Ovis canadensis nelsoni) under specified circumstances. Existing law requires all money collected under the provisions of the Fish and Game Code, including money received as a result of the sale of licenses issued under the provisions of the code, to be deposited into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless otherwise provided. Existing law grants authority to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue tags, stamps, and licenses for the hunting of antelope, elk, deer, wild pigs, bear, and bighorn sheep upon payment of a fee, to be deposited into the Big Game Management Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Existing law authorizes the Fish and Game Commission to set the cost of a Nelson bighorn ram tag at not more than $500. This bill would authorize a nonprofit organization designated by the department to assist in the sale of deer, elk, antelope, or big hornsheep fundraising tags to retain 5% of the amount of the sale price of the tag as a reasonable vendor fee. The bill would require the selling nonprofit organization, within 30 days of the date of the sale, to send the department 95% of the total auction sale price of the tag, with an itemized receipt showing the sale price and the 5% reduction retained by the nonprofit organization as a vendor's fee. This bill would set a Nelson bighorn ram tag at $400 for residents and would require the commission, on or before July 1, 2015, by regulation, to fix the fee for a nonresident of the state at not less than $1,500 for the same tag. The bill would subject the price of each tag to an annual specified adjustment.
Existing law generally requires public contracts to be awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to procedures set forth in the Public Contract Code, subject to certain exceptions. Until January 1, 2021, this bill would authorize the Department of General Services to purchase and equip heavy mobile fleet vehicles and special equipment for use by the Department of Transportation by means of best value procurement, as defined, subject to an annual limitation of $20,000,000. The bill would establish requirements for bid evaluation and protest procedures. The bill would require the Department of General Services to prepare a prescribed evaluation with regard to this process, to be posted on the Department of Transportation's Internet Web site.