Plain English Breakdown
The source text mentions 'specified additional dependency hearings' but does not list exactly which ones are included.
AB-651: Court Rights for Incarcerated Parents and Nonminor Dependents
This law expands court hearing rights to include more types of dependency cases for incarcerated parents and extends participation rules to dependents who are no longer minors.
What This Bill Does
- Requires courts to give notice and a chance for an incarcerated parent to be physically present at specified additional dependency hearings about their child.
- Mandates that if an incarcerated parent waives physical presence, they must get the option to join by videoconference or telephone call.
- Expands existing rules so nonminor dependents can attend court hearings and speak to the judge just like minors do now.
- Requires courts to pause a hearing for up to 10-year-olds if they were not properly notified of their right to be there, extending this rule to nonminor dependents.
Who It Names or Affects
- Parents who are currently in prison or jail and have children involved in dependency court cases.
- Nonminor dependents, which are young people over age 18 still under the care of the juvenile system.
- Juvenile courts that hold hearings about parental rights and child custody.
Terms To Know
- Dependency hearing
- A court meeting where a judge decides if a child needs state care because their parents cannot look after them safely.
- Nonminor dependent
- A person who is 18 years old or older but still receives support and supervision from the juvenile dependency system.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only applies if video or telephone technology is available at the jail and courthouse.
- State reimbursement for local costs depends on a future decision by the Commission on State Mandates.
- The text does not specify exactly which additional dependency hearings are covered beyond general descriptions.