Existing federal law, the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), governs the proceedings for determining the placement of an Indian child when that child is removed from the custody of their parent or guardian. Existing law specifies that the state is committed to protecting the essential tribal relations and best interest of an Indian child by promoting practices in accordance with ICWA, and requires a court in all Indian child custody proceedings to, among other things, comply with ICWA. Existing law also provides an Indian child’s tribe and Indian custodian with the right to intervene at any point in an Indian child custody proceeding.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision regarding a right to intervene.