Earlier this week, CSAC adopted a neutral position on Senator
Hannah-Beth Jackson’s SB 1336 in response to amendments to the
bill. SB 1336 was originally proposed as a reworking of current
law to strike references to the consideration of placing a child
in foster care with relatives at the time of the next placement
change, which raised both policy and workload concerns.
As amended on August 4, 2016, SB 1336 still requires counties to
assess and consider for placement relatives who come forward
during the time a child is in family reunification. There are
already many, sometimes competing, requirements that child
welfare staff must follow. The recent amendments to SB 1336
acknowledge these priorities and the high workloads of child
welfare staff, and clarify the role of the social worker when a
relative comes forward to request placement.
Because of these amendments, CSAC, along with the county welfare
directors, removed our opposition to the bill. On August 10, SB
1336 passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. It will
next head to the Assembly Floor.
