AB 2001 Summary

• Allows children residing in runaway and homeless youth shelters to be found within juvenile court jurisdiction if supported by other evidence of abuse or neglect, in addition to homelessness alone.

• Requires social workers to interview children age 4 and older who are in runaway and homeless youth shelters or community care facilities as part of abuse and neglect investigations.

• Mandates that social workers include children age 12 and older in team decision-making processes regarding whether to commence juvenile court proceedings, along with individuals the child identifies as important.

• Establishes a working group to develop policy recommendations on ensuring homeless, unaccompanied minors have timely access to appropriate child welfare services and placements, with report due to Legislature by January 1, 2016.

• Authorizes counties participating in the federal Title IV-E waiver demonstration project to establish pilot programs providing long-term intensive support services to homeless youth, including temporary shelter placement for up to 45 days with possible 15-day extensions, with programs concluding by July 1, 2019.