Bill Text: CA AB901 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 901 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Juveniles.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 323, Statutes of 2020. [AB901 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB901-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 901

Introduced by Assembly Member Gipson

February 20, 2019

An act to amend Sections 236, 258, 601, and 654 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 901, as introduced, Gipson. Juveniles.

Existing law permits a probation department to engage in activities designed to prevent juvenile delinquency, including rendering direct and indirect services to persons in the community. Under existing law, a probation department is not limited to providing services only to those persons who are on probation and under supervision, but is authorized to provide these services to any juveniles in the community.

This bill would only authorize a probation department to render direct and indirect services to those persons in the community who are on probation and subject to supervision under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system, as specified.

Existing law places a person who is between 12 and 17 years of age within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for certain offenses, including, among others, that the person habitually refuses to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of their parents or is habitually truant, as specified. Existing law authorizes a juvenile court to adjudge a person under these circumstances to be a ward of the court. Existing law authorizes a peace officer or school administrator to issue a notice to appear to a minor who is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this provision.

This bill would delete the authority of the juvenile court to adjudge a person who is between 12 and 17 years of age as a ward of the court based on truancy, and the authority of a school administrator to issue a notice to appear to a minor under these provisions. Prior to issuing notices to appear under these provisions, the bill would instead require peace officers to refer any minor under their jurisdiction to community-based diversion, if reasonably available. To the extent the bill would impose new duties on peace officers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions.

Existing law authorizes a probation officer who, after investigation of an application for a petition or any other investigation the probation officer is authorized to make, concludes that a minor is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or will probably soon be within that jurisdiction, to, in lieu of filing a petition to declare a minor a dependent child of the court or a ward of the court, or requesting that a petition be filed by the prosecuting attorney to declare a minor a ward of the court, as specified, with consent of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian, delineate specific programs of supervision for the minor, not to exceed 6 months, and attempt to adjust the situation that brings the minor within the jurisdiction of the court or creates the probability that the minor will soon be within that jurisdiction. Existing law requires the program of supervision to require the parents or guardians of the minor to participate with the minor in counseling or education programs.

This bill would delete the authority of a probation officer to take the above-described actions when the probation officer concludes that a minor is probably within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and would instead authorize a probation officer, in lieu of requesting that a petition be filed by the prosecuting attorney to declare a minor a ward of the court, as specified, to delineate specific programs of supervision for the minor, not to exceed 6 months, and attempt to adjust the situation that brings the minor within the jurisdiction of the court. The bill would instead require the program of supervision to encourage the parents or guardians of the minor to participate with the minor in counseling or education programs.

The bill would also declare the intent of the Legislature that certain local entities work closely with each other, minors, and the parents or guardians of minors to create coordinated diversion opportunities in their counties.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

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

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

SECTION 1.

In enacting this act, it is the intent of the Legislature that cities and counties work closely with minors, parents or guardians of minors, school districts, community partners, and system officials to create coordinated diversion opportunities in their counties.

SEC. 2.

Section 236 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

236.

Notwithstanding any other ~~provision of~~ law, probation departments may engage in activities designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. These activities ~~include rendering~~ are limited to providing direct and indirect services ~~to persons in the community. Probation departments shall not be limited to providing services~~ only to those persons on probation being supervised under Section ~~330 or 654, but may provide services to any juveniles in the community.~~ 602, 654, 654.2, 725, or 790.

SEC. 3.

Section 258 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

258.

(a) Upon a hearing conducted in accordance with Section 257, and upon either an admission by the minor of the commission of a violation charged, or a finding that the minor did in fact commit the violation, the judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer may do any of the following:

(1) Reprimand the minor and take no further action.

(2) Direct that the probation officer undertake a program of supervision of the minor for a period not to exceed six months, in addition to or in place of the following orders.

(3) Order that the minor pay a fine up to the amount that an adult would pay for the same violation, unless the violation is otherwise specified within this section, in which case the fine shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). This fine may be levied in addition to or in place of the following orders and the court may waive any or all of this fine, if the minor is unable to pay. In determining the minor’s ability to pay, the court shall not consider the ability of the minor’s family to pay.

(4) Subject to the minor’s right to a restitution hearing, order that the minor pay restitution to the victim, in lieu of all or a portion of the fine specified in paragraph (3). The total dollar amount of the fine, restitution, and any program fees ordered pursuant to paragraph (9) shall not exceed the maximum amount which may be ordered pursuant to paragraph (3). This paragraph shall not be construed to limit the right to recover damages, less any amount actually paid in restitution, in a civil action.

(5) Order that the driving privileges of the minor be suspended or restricted as provided in the Vehicle Code or, notwithstanding Section 13203 of the Vehicle Code or any other provision of law, when the Vehicle Code does not provide for the suspension or restriction of driving privileges, that, in addition to any other order, the driving privileges of the minor be suspended or restricted for a period of not to exceed 30 days.

(6) In the case of a traffic related offense, order the minor to attend a licensed traffic school, or other court approved program of traffic school instruction pursuant to Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 11200) of Division 5 of the Vehicle Code, to be completed by the juvenile within 60 days of the court order.

(7) Order that the minor produce satisfactory evidence that the vehicle or its equipment has been made to conform with the requirements of the Vehicle Code pursuant to Section 40150 of the Vehicle Code if the violation involved an equipment violation.

(8) (A) Order that the minor perform community service work in a public entity or any private nonprofit entity, for not more than 50 hours over a period of 60 days, during times other than ~~his or her~~ the minor’s hours of school attendance or employment. Work performed pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed 30 hours during any 30-day period. The timeframes established by this paragraph shall not be modified except in unusual cases where the interests of justice would best be served. When the order to work is made by a referee or a juvenile hearing officer, it shall be approved by a judge of the juvenile court.

~~For~~

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, a judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer shall not, without the consent of the minor, order the minor to perform work with a private nonprofit entity that is affiliated with any religion.

(9) In the case of a misdemeanor, order that the minor participate in and complete a counseling or educational program, or, if the offense involved a violation of a controlled substance law, a drug treatment program, if those programs are available. Fees for participation shall be subject to the right to a hearing as the minor’s ability to pay and shall not, together with any fine or restitution order, exceed the maximum amount that may be ordered pursuant to paragraph (3).

(10) Require that the minor attend a school program without unexcused absence.

(11) If the offense is a misdemeanor committed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., require that the minor be at ~~his or her~~ the minor’s legal residence at hours to be specified by the juvenile hearing officer between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for a medical or other emergency, unless the minor is accompanied by ~~his or her~~ the minor’s parent, guardian, or other person in charge of the minor. The maximum length of an order made pursuant to this paragraph shall be six months from the effective date of the order.

(12) Make any or all of the following orders with respect to a violation of the Fish and Game Code which is not charged as a felony:

(A) That the fishing or hunting license involved be suspended or restricted.

(B) That the minor work in a park or conservation area for a total of not to exceed 20 hours over a period not to exceed 30 days, during times other than ~~his or her~~ the minor’s hours of school attendance or employment.

(C) That the minor forfeit, pursuant to Section 12157 of the Fish and Game Code, any device or apparatus designed to be, and capable of being, used to take birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibia and that was used in committing the violation charged. The judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer shall, if the minor committed an offense that is punishable under Section 12008 or 12008.1 of the Fish and Game Code, order the device or apparatus forfeited pursuant to Section 12157 of the Fish and Game Code.

(13) If the violation charged is of an ordinance of a city, county, or local agency relating to loitering, curfew, or fare evasion on a public transportation system, as defined by Section 99211 of the Public Utilities Code, or is a violation of Section 640 or 640a of the Penal Code, make the order that the minor shall perform community service for a total time not to exceed 20 hours over a period not to exceed 30 days, during times other than ~~his or her~~ the minor’s hours of school attendance or employment.

~~(b)If the minor is before the court on the basis of truancy, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 601, all of the following procedures and limitations shall apply:~~
~~(1)The judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer shall not proceed with a hearing unless both of the following have been provided to the court:~~
(A)Evidence that the minor’s school has undertaken the actions specified in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of Section 48264.5 of the Education Code. If the school district does not have an attendance review board, as described in Section 48321 of the Education Code, the minor’s school is not required to provide evidence to the court of any actions the school has undertaken that demonstrate the intervention of a school attendance review board.
~~(B)The available record of previous attempts to address the minor’s truancy.~~
~~(2)The court is encouraged to set the hearing outside of school hours, so as to avoid causing the minor to miss additional school time.~~
(3)Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 257, the minor and his or her parents shall be advised of the minor’s right to refuse consent to a hearing conducted upon a written notice to appear.
~~(4)The minor’s parents shall be permitted to participate in the hearing.~~
(5)The judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer may continue the hearing to allow the minor the opportunity to demonstrate improved attendance before imposing any of the orders specified in paragraph (6). Upon demonstration of improved attendance, the court may dismiss the case.
(6)Upon a finding that the minor violated subdivision (b) of Section 601, the judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer shall direct his or her orders at improving the minor’s school attendance. The judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer may do any of the following:
~~(A)Order the minor to perform community service work, as described in Section 48264.5 of the Education Code, which may be performed at the minor’s school.~~
(B)Order the payment of a fine by the minor of not more than fifty dollars ($50), for which a parent or legal guardian of the minor may be jointly liable. The fine described in this subparagraph shall not be subject to Section 1464 of the Penal Code or additional penalty pursuant to any other law. The minor, at his or her discretion, may perform community service, as described in subparagraph (A), in lieu of any fine imposed under this subparagraph.
~~(C)Order a combination of community service work described in subparagraph (A) and payment of a portion of the fine described in subparagraph (B).~~
(D)Restrict driving privileges in the manner set forth in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a). The minor may request removal of the driving restrictions if he or she provides proof of school attendance, high school graduation, GED completion, or enrollment in adult education, a community college, or a trade program. Any driving restriction shall be removed at the time the minor attains 18 years of age.
~~(c)~~

(b) (1) The judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer shall retain jurisdiction of the case until all orders made under this section have been fully complied with.

(2) If a minor is before the judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer on the basis of truancy, jurisdiction shall be terminated upon the minor attaining 18 years of age.

SEC. 4.

Section 601 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

601.

(a) Any minor between 12 years of age and 17 years of age, inclusive, who persistently or habitually refuses to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of ~~his or her~~ their parents, guardian, or custodian, or who is beyond the control of that person, or who is a minor between 12 years of age and 17 years of age, inclusive, when ~~he or she~~ they violated any ordinance of any city or county of this state establishing a curfew based solely on age is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court which may adjudge the minor to be a ward of the court.

(b)If a minor between 12 years of age and 17 years of age, inclusive, has four or more truancies within one school year as defined in Section 48260 of the Education Code or a school attendance review board or probation officer determines that the available public and private services are insufficient or inappropriate to correct the habitual truancy of the minor, or to correct the minor’s persistent or habitual refusal to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of school authorities, or if the minor fails to respond to directives of a school attendance review board or probation officer or to services provided, the minor is then within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court which may adjudge the minor to be a ward of the court. However, it is the intent of the Legislature that a minor who is described in this subdivision, adjudged a ward of the court pursuant solely to this subdivision, or found in contempt of court for failure to comply with a court order pursuant to this subdivision, shall not be held in a secure facility and shall not be removed from the custody of the parent or guardian except for the purposes of school attendance.
~~(c)~~

(b) To the extent practically feasible, a minor who is adjudged a ward of the court pursuant to this section shall not be permitted to come into or remain in contact with any minor ordered to participate in a truancy program, or the equivalent thereof, pursuant to Section 602.

~~(d)~~

(c) Any peace officer ~~or school administrator~~ may issue a notice to appear to a minor who is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this section. Before issuing a notice to appear under this subdivision, a peace officer shall refer a minor who is within the jurisdiction of this section to community-based diversion if that diversion is reasonably available.

SEC. 5.

Section 654 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

654.

In any case in which a probation officer, after investigation of an application for a petition or any other investigation ~~he or she~~ the probation officer is authorized to make, concludes that a minor is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile ~~court or will probably soon be within that jurisdiction,~~ court, the probation officer may, in lieu of ~~filing a petition to declare a minor a dependent child of the court or a minor or a ward of the court under Section 601 or~~ requesting that a petition be filed by the prosecuting attorney to declare a minor a ward of the court under ~~subdivision (e) of Section 601.3 or~~ Section 602 and with consent of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian, delineate specific programs of supervision for the minor, for not to exceed six months, and attempt thereby to adjust the situation that brings the minor within the jurisdiction of the ~~court or creates the probability that the minor will soon be within that jurisdiction.~~ court. This section does not prevent the probation officer from ~~filing a petition or~~ requesting the prosecuting attorney to file a petition at any time within the six-month period or a 90-day period thereafter. If the probation officer determines that the minor has not ~~involved himself or herself~~ participated in the specific programs within 60 days, the probation officer shall immediately file a petition or request that a petition be filed by the prosecuting attorney. However, when in the judgment of the probation officer the interest of the minor and the community can be protected, the probation officer shall make a diligent effort to proceed under this section.

The program of supervision of the minor undertaken pursuant to this section may call for the minor to obtain care and treatment for the misuse of, or addiction to, controlled substances from a county mental health service or other appropriate community agency.

The program of supervision shall ~~require~~ encourage the parents or guardians of the minor to participate with the minor in counseling or education programs, including, but not limited to, parent education and parenting programs operated by community colleges, school districts, or other appropriate agencies designated by the court if the program of supervision is pursuant to the procedure prescribed in Section 654.2.

Further, this section shall authorize the probation officer with consent of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian to provide the following services in lieu of filing a petition:

(a) Maintain and operate sheltered-care facilities, or contract with private or public agencies to provide these services. The placement shall be limited to a maximum of 90 days. Counseling services shall be extended to the sheltered minor and ~~his or her~~ the minor’s family during this period of diversion services. The minor’s parents may be required to make full or partial reimbursement for the services rendered to the minor’s family, but not for the services rendered to the minor, during the diversion process. Referrals for sheltered-care diversion may be made by the minor, ~~his or her~~ the minor’s family, schools, any law enforcement agency, or any other private or public social service agency.

(b) Maintain and operate crisis resolution homes, or contract with private or public agencies offering these services. Residence at these facilities shall be limited to 20 days during which period individual and family counseling shall be extended to the minor and ~~his or her~~ the minor’s family. Failure to resolve the crisis within the 20-day period may result in the minor’s referral to a sheltered-care facility for a period not to exceed 90 days. Referrals shall be accepted from the minor, ~~his or her~~ the minor’s family, schools, law enforcement or any other private or public social service agency. The minor’s parents may be required to reimburse the county for the cost of services rendered to the minor’s family, but not for the cost of services rendered to the minor, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors.

(c) Maintain and operate counseling and educational centers, or contract with private and public agencies, societies, or corporations whose purpose is to provide vocational training or skills. The centers may be operated separately or in conjunction with crisis resolution homes to be operated by the probation officer. The probation officer shall be authorized to make referrals to the appropriate existing private or public agencies offering similar services when available.

At the conclusion of the program of supervision undertaken pursuant to this section, the probation officer shall prepare and maintain a followup report of the actual program measures taken.

SEC. 6.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.