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CaliforniaSB 4502025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Adoption: state court jurisdiction.

Sponsored By: Caroline Menjivar (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Adoption orders must name all parents

The court must list the adoptive parent(s) and any existing parent(s) who keep their rights on the adoption order. Leaving a parent off the order does not end that parent's legal rights or duties. This does not limit placements allowed under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

Faster, clearer reviews for independent adoptions

For independent adoptions, the agency investigates within 180 days after it gets 50% of the fee. After the remaining balance is paid, the agency sends a full report and recommendation to the court. If you have a valid preplacement evaluation or private home study, the agency may rely on it, but must still complete all background checks. If serious concerns about care, consent, or suitability arise, the report is filed right away. The court can grant more time only after at least five days’ notice and a chance to be heard. Out‑of‑state petitioners must have a current home study that meets California standards, or provide added documents.

When California courts can hear adoptions

California courts can hear an adoption case when certain tests are met. Common tests include: the child lived in California for at least six months (or from soon after birth for infants), or the prospective parent lived here for six months. Jurisdiction can also exist when a California placing agency is involved with strong ties to the state, the child was born here, or there is an emergency or abandonment in California. California usually cannot act if a case is pending in another state or another state has a custody order, unless that state stays or declines the case and other rules are met. For Indian children, a tribal court counts as another state for these limits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Caroline Menjivar

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

    Democratic • House

  • Sabrina Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Harabedian

    Democratic • House

  • Ash Kalra

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Chavez Zbur

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 33

Senate vote • 9/11/2025

Item 64 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 30 • No: 10

House vote • 9/10/2025

Item 25 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 61 • No: 10

legislature vote • 7/2/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 10 • No: 2

legislature vote • 6/17/2025

Vote in CX13

Yes: 9 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

Item 112 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 28 • No: 8

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 5 • No: 1

legislature vote • 4/21/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/1/2025

Vote in CS53

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 757, Statutes of 2025.

    10/13/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/13/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

    9/22/2025legislature

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2893.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    9/11/2025Senate

  5. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

    9/10/2025Senate

  6. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 61. Noes 10. Page 3165.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/10/2025House

  7. Ordered to third reading.

    8/28/2025House

  8. Read third time and amended.

    8/28/2025House

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    7/3/2025House

  10. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 2.) (July 2).

    7/2/2025House

  11. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    6/17/2025House

  12. Coauthors revised.

    6/17/2025House

  13. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/12/2025House

  14. Referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/5/2025House

  15. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    5/29/2025House

  16. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 1340.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    5/29/2025Senate

  17. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/23/2025Senate

  18. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1200.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025Senate

  19. Set for hearing May 23.

    5/16/2025Senate

  20. April 21 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    4/21/2025Senate

  21. Set for hearing April 21.

    4/4/2025Senate

  22. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 610.) (April 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/2/2025Senate

  23. Set for hearing April 1.

    3/13/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.

    2/26/2025Senate

  25. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/13/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/16/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    8/28/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    6/12/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/18/2025

    HTML

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