CA AB1261

Requires California to provide legal counsel to all immigrant youth in the state, subject to available funding, with the Department of Social Services allocating funds and prioritizing organizations ineligible for federal funds or with unmet needs

Defines immigrant youth as undocumented minors under 18 with no lawful immigration status who arrived without a parent/guardian or have no parent/guardian available to assist in immigration proceedings

Legal representation covers state court proceedings, federal immigration proceedings, asylum applications, and related appeals before DHS, federal courts, or the Department of Justice

Authorizes contracts with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or county public defender offices that have immigration attorneys with at least 3 years of experience handling asylum, T-Visa, U-Visa, or special immigrant juvenile status cases

Youth assigned counsel before turning 18 remain eligible for ongoing representation through the duration of their proceedings, and the department may also fund social work services to assist immigrant youth