CA AB2353

Establishes a new guardian adoption process allowing legal guardians who have held guardianship for more than one year to file adoption petitions in their county of residence, similar to stepparent adoptions rather than independent adoptions.

Eliminates the requirement for a home study in guardian adoptions unless ordered by the court, and caps investigation fees at $700, which may be deferred or waived if payment would cause economic hardship.

Permits guardians to select qualified investigators (licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional clinical counselors, or private licensed adoption agencies) or allows courts to assign probation officers, court investigators, or county welfare departments to conduct investigations.

Requires birth parent consent to be signed before a notary public or authorized official, allows consent withdrawal only with court approval after a hearing considering the child's best interests, and maintains the child's inheritance rights from biological relatives.

Specifies that no state reimbursement is required for any increased costs borne by local agencies in excess of funding already provided under 2011 Realignment Legislation.