Bill Text: CA AB719 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 719 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Child welfare agencies: missing foster children.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB719 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB719-Introduced.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 719	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Campos

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to add Section 16501.9 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to child welfare services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 719, as introduced, Campos. Child welfare agencies: missing
foster children.
   Existing law establishes a system of statewide child welfare
services, administered by the State Department of Social Services and
county child welfare agencies, with the intent that all children are
entitled to be safe and free from abuse and neglect. Under existing
law, when a child is placed into foster care on the basis that he or
she was abused or neglected, the juvenile court is required to order
the county social worker to assume responsibility for the care,
custody, and control of the child.
   This bill would require a county child welfare agency that becomes
aware that a child in foster care is missing to report the incident
to the police department or sheriff's department and the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children. By imposing this duty on
county child welfare agencies, 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, 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.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 16501.9 is added to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:
   16501.9.  When a county child welfare agency becomes aware that a
child in foster care is missing, the agency shall report the incident
to the police department or sheriff's department and the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.