CA SB996

Requires county welfare departments to submit reports at the first regularly scheduled review hearing after a dependent child reaches 16 years of age verifying provision of social security cards, birth certificates, driver's licenses/IDs, employment assistance, educational/vocational training assistance, and financial literacy information.

Mandates county welfare departments submit reports at the last regularly scheduled review hearing before a minor turns 18 and at every subsequent hearing verifying efforts to provide documents and services including certified birth certificates, health and education summaries, housing referrals, and a letter documenting the youth's foster care status.

Prohibits dependency court from terminating jurisdiction over a nonminor without a hearing and requires the county to ensure the nonminor's presence in court, submit a report on best interests, and document reasonable efforts to provide assistance for maintaining nonminor dependent eligibility.

Requires courts to continue dependency jurisdiction over nonminors meeting the definition of "nonminor dependent" unless the nonminor chooses to leave or fails to participate in an appropriate transitional independent living case plan.

Allows nonminors to file a petition to resume dependency jurisdiction until age 21, and requires courts to maintain general jurisdiction for this purpose after terminating dependency jurisdiction.