All Roll Calls
Yes: 123 • No: 10
CaliforniaAB 3732025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Dependency proceedings: counsel.
Sponsored By: Blanca Blanca Rubio (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Guaranteed lawyers for kids and indigent parents
The court must appoint a lawyer for a child or nonminor dependent who has no lawyer, unless the court finds it would not help and explains why on the record. If you are a parent who cannot afford a lawyer and your child is in, or may be placed in, out‑of‑home care, the court must appoint a lawyer unless you knowingly waive that right. In an Indian child custody case, the court must appoint a lawyer for a parent or Indian custodian who wants one and cannot pay. The court may also appoint a lawyer when you ask and cannot afford one. In third‑class counties, the court uses the public defender for a child and the alternate public defender for a parent first, unless there is a conflict or good cause stated on the record. The court can set how appointed lawyers are paid. A district attorney, public defender, or any licensed lawyer may serve if there is no conflict; a related criminal case alone is not a conflict.
Privacy and records for your child's case
Your child’s talks with their lawyer stay private. The child or the lawyer can assert doctor, therapist, and clergy privileges. If a court finds the child is mature enough to give informed consent (presumed at 12 and older unless clearly proven otherwise), the child must consent before the lawyer asserts those privileges. If the court finds the child is not mature enough, the lawyer holds the privilege. The child’s lawyer must get all relevant health and agency records, and agencies or the guardian ad litem must provide requested information within 30 days for a child in protective custody. The lawyer or their agent may share limited custody and placement timing information with a person being assessed to care for the child.
What your child's lawyer must do
Your child's lawyer must investigate the case, speak with witnesses, and make recommendations about the child's welfare. If the child is age four or older, the lawyer must meet with the child, learn the child's wishes, and tell the court. The lawyer cannot ask for the child's return if that would harm the child. The lawyer stays on the case from detention through all later hearings, including termination and guardianship, unless the court allows a change. For a nonminor dependent, the lawyer represents the young person’s wishes; if the youth cannot direct counsel, the court appoints a guardian ad litem. The law removes the old sentence that named child safety as the lawyer’s “primary” duty, but the court still must act to fully protect the child’s interests. The child's lawyer must also tell the court about other legal needs that may require help in other cases. The lawyer is not a social worker and does not provide nonlegal services.
Lawyers and schools share contacts yearly
When the state posts the list of school liaisons, lawyers for foster children must give each local liaison their contact info at least once a year. A law firm can give a central contact and name who should get messages. A caregiver or the person with education rights can also give the lawyer’s contact to the school. This helps schools reach the lawyer to support the child’s education.
Training standards for children's lawyers
The Judicial Council sets rules for caseloads, training, and guidance for appointed lawyers. Training must include cultural competency and sensitivity for serving LGBTQ youth and include the topics listed in state law. These standards aim to improve the quality of representation.
Limits on parent lawyers in nonminor cases
In cases about nonminor dependents, parents do not get appointed counsel unless they are receiving court‑ordered family reunification services. This rule has been in effect since January 1, 2012.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Blanca Blanca Rubio
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/3/2025
Item 104 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 30 • No: 8
legislature vote • 7/7/2025
Vote in CS74
Yes: 4 • No: 1
legislature vote • 6/17/2025
Vote in CS53
Yes: 10 • No: 1
House vote • 4/7/2025
Item 23 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 64 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/25/2025
Vote in CX11
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/11/2025
Vote in CX13
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 146, Statutes of 2025.
10/1/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/1/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/9/2025legislatureIn Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
9/3/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8. Page 2445.).
9/3/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
7/9/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (July 7).
7/8/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUMAN S. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on HUMAN S.
6/17/2025SenateReferred to Coms. on JUD. and HUMAN S.
5/7/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
4/7/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 0. Page 1031.)
4/7/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
3/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 25).
3/26/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
3/12/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 11). Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
3/11/2025HouseFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.
3/11/2025HouseReferred to Coms. on JUD. and HUM. S.
2/18/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 6.
2/4/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
2/3/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/1/2025
Enrolled
9/5/2025
Amended Assembly
3/11/2025
Introduced
2/3/2025