CA AB1214

Revises procedures for determining juvenile competency by requiring an evidentiary hearing (unless parties stipulate) with a presumption of competency unless proven incompetent by preponderance of evidence.

Expands qualifications and duties of court-appointed experts to evaluate minors' competency, including requirements for expertise in child development, forensic evaluation, reviewing available records, and administering age-appropriate testing.

Authorizes district attorney or minor's counsel to retain additional qualified experts and requires Judicial Council to adopt court rules identifying training and experience standards for competency evaluators.

Requires petition dismissal if minor found incompetent and petition contains only misdemeanor offenses; limits secure confinement to six months (18 months maximum for serious offenses under Section 707) while pursuing remediation services.

Mandates that juvenile court presiding judge, probation department, county mental health department, and other entities develop a written protocol describing the competency process and program to ensure incompetent minors receive appropriate remediation services.