AB 2838

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child has suffered abuse or neglect, as specified. Existing law also authorizes the juvenile court to adjudge any minor between 12 years of age and 17 years of age, inclusive, to be a ward of the court if the minor has violated criminal or other specified statutes. Existing law requires the probation department and child welfare service department in each county to jointly develop a written protocol, as specified, to ensure appropriate local coordination in the assessment of a minor who appears to come within the description of both a dependent child and a ward of the juvenile court. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to issue instructions to all counties on how to completely and consistently track the involvement of these youth in both the child welfare system and the juvenile justice system. Existing law, commencing July 1, 2020, abolishes the Division of Juvenile Justice and replaces it with the Department of Youth and Community Restoration in the California Health and Human Services Agency. This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to, on or before January 1, 2023, coordinate the efforts of the State Department of Social Services and the Department of Youth and Community Restoration to implement a common identifier for counties to use to reconcile data across child welfare and juvenile justice systems statewide.