Juveniles: dependency: incarcerated parent.

Assembly Member Bryan's legislation expands participation rights for incarcerated parents in California dependency hearings while extending court attendance provisions to nonminor dependents. The bill requires courts to provide videoconferencing options when incarcerated parents waive physical presence at proceedings regarding their parental rights or their child's dependency status. If video technology is unavailable, telephone participation becomes mandatory rather than discretionary.

The measure broadens notification requirements to ensure incarcerated parents receive notice of additional dependency hearings concerning their children. It maintains existing protections requiring courts to order temporary removal of prisoners who wish to attend proceedings in person, except for those sentenced to death. The legislation also preserves prisoners' internal job placements and privileges when participating in these hearings.

For dependents, the bill extends current minor attendance rights to nonminor dependents, requiring courts to verify proper notification and continue hearings if needed to secure their presence. The changes create new duties for county jail officials to facilitate remote participation, with state reimbursement available for associated costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.