All Roll Calls
Yes: 237 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 5622025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Foster care: placement: family finding.
Sponsored By: Isaac Bryan (Democratic), José Luis Solache (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Quicker emergency placement with relatives and support
If a relative or a nonrelative extended family member is available and asks to take the child, the county must start an emergency assessment. After that check, the county may place the child on an emergency basis. The caregiver must apply to be a resource family, and the county must start the home assessment within five business days. If the child is Indian and the tribe already licensed or approved the home, extra state approval is not required. If only basic items (like a crib or car seat) are missing, the county must make reasonable efforts to help get them using existing resources.
Stronger 30-day search and relative notice
Within 30 days of removal, social workers must find grandparents, adult siblings, parents of siblings with custody, and other adult relatives. For Indian children, the search must include extended family members. Within 30 days, workers must send written notices to located adult relatives, unless a domestic violence history makes notice unsafe. The notice explains how to help with care and visits and lists supports like Kin-GAP, CalWORKs for relative caregivers, and adoption assistance. For Indian children, it includes tribal approval options. Counties must use family finding tools, including online searches, and must contact the child’s tribe when the child is known or suspected to be Indian. Social workers must provide a relative information form so relatives can share facts and ask to speak to the court. Each county must publish a way for parents and relatives to identify themselves and get the required notices.
Faster family release and clear custody rules
The law requires immediate release of a child to a parent, guardian, Indian custodian, or relative, regardless of immigration status, unless listed safety exceptions apply. Exceptions include no willing caregiver, an urgent need to detain with no safe alternative, likely flight from the court, an Indian child facing imminent harm, the child leaving a court-ordered placement, or a hospital surrender not reclaimed within 14 days. If a child cannot be moved from a medical facility, the child is treated as in temporary custody while there. If the child is not released to a parent or guardian, the child is deemed detained.
County benchmarks to boost kin placements
Starting January 1, 2027, each county must compare its rate of placing children with relatives to the statewide rate each year and finish the review by October 1. If below the statewide rate, the county must contact the Center for Excellence by December 1 and meet at least three more times on a quarterly basis to improve. By January 1, 2024, counties had to tell the state whether they use the listed family-finding practices or send copies of older policies. The law requires counties to implement new costs only if the state provides yearly funding for them.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Isaac Bryan
Democratic • House
José Luis Solache
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/12/2025
Item 118 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 80 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/11/2025
Item 194 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/30/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/16/2025
Vote in CS74
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 5/12/2025
Item 28 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 78 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/9/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 14 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/25/2025
Vote in CX11
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 436, Statutes of 2025.
10/7/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/7/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/24/2025legislatureIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/12/2025HouseSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3378.).
9/12/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2930.).
9/11/2025SenateOrdered to special consent calendar.
9/9/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
6/30/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/17/2025SenateReferred to Com. on HUMAN S.
5/21/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
5/13/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 1508.)
5/12/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
4/10/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 9).
4/9/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/26/2025HouseReferred to Com. on HUM. S.
3/3/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
2/13/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
2/12/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/7/2025
Enrolled
9/16/2025
Amended Senate
8/29/2025
Introduced
2/12/2025