SB 68 Summary

• Requires courts to consider particular barriers faced by minor parents or nonminor dependent parents when evaluating parental efforts and progress toward reunification, similar to existing considerations for incarcerated, institutionalized, detained, or deported parents.

• Authorizes courts to continue cases for up to 6 months for additional reunification services when a minor parent or nonminor dependent parent at the initial hearing is making significant and consistent progress in establishing a safe home for the child's return.

• Applies these provisions to review hearings at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after initial removal, as well as permanency review hearings.

• Ensures that young parents receive appropriate consideration of age-related barriers and circumstances that may affect their access to court-mandated services and ability to maintain contact with their children.