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Committee approves bill requiring counties to use a one‑year family‑finding checklist for foster placement reviews
Summary
AB 562 would require a one‑year family‑finding checklist and county review when placement rates of foster youth with relatives fall below the statewide average; the committee advanced the bill unanimously to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Solace presented AB 562, which would require counties to adopt a one‑year family‑finding checklist and to review placement practices with the county board of supervisors if the county’s kinship placement rate falls below the statewide average.
Supporters told the committee that placing children with relatives improves outcomes, and that county placement rates are inconsistent. Caitlin Ratigan of California Youth Connection recounted her personal experience of not having family located during dependency and said greater accountability and transparent review could increase family placements: “I always wondered, what if? Why did the county not find that family member?”
Ed Howard, senior counsel at the Children’s Advocacy Institute, testified as a technical resource and co‑sponsor. Several advocacy organizations including Children’s Law Center, Children Now, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty voiced support in the hearing.
Committee members voiced bipartisan support for prioritizing family placements. The committee voted to send AB 562 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and further consideration.
