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Committee advances AB 319 requiring county plans to expand therapeutic care for foster youth
Summary
AB 319 passed unanimously out of the Assembly Human Services Committee; the bill would require counties to submit plans by Jan. 1, 2027, to the joint interagency resolution team describing how they will expand therapeutic care options for foster youth and update plans every two years.
The Assembly Human Services Committee on Monday voted to pass AB 319 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Jackson, would require counties to submit detailed plans to the joint interagency resolution team by Jan. 1, 2027, describing how they will develop and expand therapeutic care options for foster youth.
Assemblymember Jackson said AB 319 "seeks to improve the care and support we provide to foster youth who have experienced severe trauma, ensuring they receive the most effective therapeutic interventions in the least restrictive settings possible." Under the proposal, counties would update those plans every two years to track progress and continuous improvement.
A public commenter, Monique Rodriguez, said she supported the bill as someone with personal experience in foster care. Committee members raised concerns about workforce capacity; one member who identified herself as a former county therapist said there "is a low rate of therapists available" to serve the foster population and urged that workforce development and funding be part of the solution. Jackson and other members referenced the governor's youth behavioral health initiative as a potential funding and workforce pathway.
The committee voted to pass AB 319 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The motion was moved by Assemblymember Calderon and seconded by Celeste Rodriguez; roll call recorded ayes from Lee, Castillo, Calderon, El Hawari, Jackson and Celeste Rodriguez. The vote was 5-0 initially on the floor and later recorded as 6-0 on the committee roll before the hearing adjourned.
