CA AB549

Changes eligibility for dispositional hearings for youth ages 18+ by allowing courts to hold hearings if youth were continuously subject to a detention order (rather than continuously detained) before turning 18 and provided informed consent.

Authorizes courts to hold dispositional hearings for youth who turned 18 before their jurisdictional hearing due to COVID-19 court closures or delays, if they were continuously subject to a detention order and placement was vested with the county child welfare department; this provision expires January 1, 2023.

Clarifies that when youth choose not to remain in foster care, courts must set a hearing to terminate dependency jurisdiction and retain general jurisdiction.

Requires the Judicial Council to report by March 30, 2023, on the total number of cases applying these provisions and the minimum, maximum, and average days from detention hearing to dispositional hearing.

Exempts this act from state reimbursement requirements for local agencies under the 2011 Realignment Legislation.