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Assembly approves bill to clarify legal representation rights for nonminor dependents
Summary
AB 373 clarifies that appointed counsel should represent the expressed wishes of foster youth ages 18–21 who remain dependents of the juvenile court; the Assembly passed the bill unanimously on third reading.
The California State Assembly on March 6 passed Assembly Bill 373, which clarifies the legal responsibilities of appointed counsel for nonminor dependents — foster youth ages 18 to 21 — by directing attorneys to represent those clients' expressed wishes.
"This bill will ensure the legal rights of non minor dependents are fully respected by clarifying the responsibility of appointed counsel to represent the expressed wishes of the non minor," Assemblymember Blanca Rubio said while presenting the measure. She asked for an aye vote after acknowledging committee staff and colleagues who supported moving the bill forward.
The clerk recorded the roll call as Ayes 58, Noes 0 and the measure passed. Floor remarks described the change as recognizing that nonminor dependents are legal adults and should have the same rights in court as other adults. The Assembly did not discuss further implementation detail or funding on the floor excerpts.
