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Committee advances bill to require counties to adopt family‑finding checklist to increase kin placements
Summary
AB 562 would require counties to use a one‑year family‑finding checklist and review placement data with the board of supervisors when county kin placement rates fall below the state average; the committee voted to pass the bill to Appropriations.
The Assembly Committee on Human Services voted to pass AB 562, presented by Assemblymember Solace, which would require counties to use a one‑year family‑finding checklist and to review placement data with their board of supervisors if their kinship placement rates fall below the statewide average.
Supporters said placing children with relatives improves outcomes and that county placement rates vary widely. Caitlin Ratigan, statewide policy coordinator for California Youth Connection, told committee members about her personal experience and said counties should be held accountable for robust family finding; she asked, “Why did the county not find that family member?” and urged measures to ensure relatives are located.
Ed Howard, senior counsel at the Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law, served as a technical resource and co‑sponsor. Multiple advocacy organizations including the Western Center on Law and Poverty, Alliance for Children’s Rights, Children Now and others filed support letters and provided testimony.
The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 562 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee; the roll call recorded six ayes, and the bill was reported out of committee.
