CA AB1761

Expands the requirement for county welfare departments to assess the suitability of relatives and nonrelative extended family members requesting temporary child placement to include requests made after the detention hearing and pending the dispositional hearing.

Modifies placement consideration standards to require siblings and half-siblings be placed in the same home unless that placement would be contrary to the safety and well-being of any of the siblings.

Clarifies that county social workers may place a child with an appropriate relative or nonrelative extended family member pending consideration of other relatives who have requested preferential placement.

Requires use of the same licensing standards for foster family homes (excluding criminal records checks) when assessing relative and nonrelative extended family member homes for suitability.

Provides that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes state-mandated costs, reimbursement shall be made pursuant to existing statutory procedures.