Bill Text: CA AB1988 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Foster care.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-16 - In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. [AB1988 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB1988-Introduced.html

---

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1988

---

Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson

January 23, 2020

---

An act to amend Section 16162 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to foster care.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1988, as introduced, Patterson. Foster care.

Existing law requires the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson to be established in the State Department of Social Services with prescribed powers and duties relating to the management of foster children, including the dissemination of information on the rights of children and youth in foster care. Existing law requires the Director of Social Services, in consultation with a committee of interested individuals chosen by the director, to appoint the ombudsperson for a term of 4 years.

This bill would instead require the Governor, in consultation with a committee of interested individuals, to appoint the ombudsperson, subject to Senate confirmation. The bill would authorize the director to select the committee members, as specified.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

---

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 16162 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

16162.

 The director, The Governor, in consultation with a committee of interested individuals, shall appoint an ombudsperson ombudsperson, subject to confirmation by the Senate, who is qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office for a term of four years. The director The Governor may reappoint the ombudsperson for consecutive terms. The director shall select the committee members, the majority of whom shall be representatives of children’s advocacy organizations and current or former foster youth. terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director may select the committee members. The majority of committee members shall be representatives of children’s advocacy organizations and current or former foster youth.