Juveniles: nonminor dependents: out-of-state placement: visitation.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not specify the exact nature of the training or guidelines that will be developed by the State Department of Social Services, only that it is contingent upon an appropriation.

Juveniles: Nonminor Dependents: Out-of-State Placement Visitation

This law allows nonminor dependents placed out of state to have virtual visits with their social workers or probation officers, requires informed consent and documentation, and mandates quarterly in-person visits.

What This Bill Does

• Allows nonminor dependents who are placed out-of-state the option for monthly virtual visits with a social worker or probation officer.
• Requires that any virtual visit include a private discussion between the nonminor dependent and the social worker/probation officer, similar to in-person visits.
• Requires informed consent from the nonminor dependent before scheduling a virtual visit and documentation of this consent in their case plan.
• Mandates quarterly in-person visits for nonminor dependents placed out-of-state, even if monthly visits are conducted virtually.

Who It Names or Affects

• Nonminor dependents who are placed out-of-state in foster care.
• Social workers and probation officers responsible for these nonminor dependents.
• County placing agencies involved with the placement of nonminor dependents.

Terms To Know

Virtual visit

A video or phone call between a social worker/probation officer and a nonminor dependent placed out-of-state, used as an alternative to in-person visits.

Nonminor dependents

Individuals who were once foster children but are now over 18 years old and still receive support from the state's child welfare system.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill requires quarterly in-person visits, but does not specify what happens if a nonminor dependent refuses these visits.
• It is unclear how much funding will be provided for training and guidelines development by the State Department of Social Services.

Official Summary Text

AB 2684, as amended, Nguyen.
Juveniles: nonminor dependents: out-of-state placement: visitation.
Existing law requires monthly visits by a county social worker or county probation officer to foster children, as specified. Existing law requires the monthly visit to include a private discussion between the social worker or probation officer and the foster child, and prohibits the contents of the private discussions from being disclosed to the foster parent or caregiver or group home staff, except as specified.
This bill would authorize a social worker or probation officer to allow nonminor dependents who are placed out of state the option to have their monthly visit through a virtual visit, as defined. The bill would require informed consent from the nonminor dependent and documentation in the case plan. The bill would require the virtual visit to include a private discussion between the nonminor dependent and the social worker or probation
officer, and would prohibit the contents of the private discussion from being disclosed to a foster parent or caregiver, except as specified. The bill would authorize a nonminor dependent to request an in-person visit and would authorize the social worker or probation officer to shift the virtual visit to an in-person visit. The bill would require the social worker or probation officer to, at minimum, conduct an in-person visit with the nonminor dependent on a quarterly basis. By imposing additional duties on county social workers and county probation officers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would require, no later than July 1, 2027, the State Department of Social Services to convene a working group to develop guidelines for county placing agencies and attorneys representing nonminor dependents related to engaging and supporting nonminor dependents who are placed out of state, as specified. The bill would require, no later than July
1, 2027, and contingent upon an appropriation for this purpose, the department to convene stakeholders, as specified, to develop best practices in casework practices to support and promote the healthy adult development of nonminor dependents. The bill would require the department to utilize that input to develop and deliver training, and possibly other means of support, for county placing agencies.
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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs
so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF