SB 1056 Summary

• Requires county welfare departments to include information in supplemental reports about housing assistance services offered to parents in substantial compliance with case plans when lack of housing is the sole barrier to family reunification.

• Authorizes courts to return children to parental custody within 5 days after parents secure safe and adequate housing (confirmed by county child welfare agency) and directs counties to assist families in maintaining housing through referral to and coordination of supportive services.

• Expands court consideration of special circumstances for homeless parents and minor parents when determining whether to extend reunification services, and requires courts to order reasonable services taking into account particular barriers these parents face.

• Specifies that family preservation services may include housing and supportive services for homeless parents of dependent children when the parent is in substantial compliance with their case plan and lack of housing is the sole impediment to reunification.

• Adds federal McKinney-Vento Act definition of "homeless" to multiple sections of welfare and institutions code governing juvenile dependency proceedings and family reunification services.