AB-926
Social Services

Juvenile court: visitation.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires courts to order parent-child visitation within 72 hours of initial hearings in juvenile dependency cases.
  • Mandates unsupervised parent-child visits unless there is proven substantial danger to the child's safety.
  • Requires social workers to document efforts to expand visitation and explain why supervised visits remain necessary.
  • Orders visits to occur in the least restrictive settings that promote quality family time.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Members Gipson, Bryan, and Calderon have proposed comprehensive changes to California's juvenile dependency court procedures, introducing new requirements for visitation orders between dependent children and their parents or legal guardians. The legislation mandates courts to establish specific visitation schedules at initial petition hearings, including frequency and duration details, while creating a presumption favoring unsupervised visitation.

Under the proposed changes, courts must order parent-child contact to begin within 72 hours of relevant hearings when no visitation schedule exists. The bill requires courts to provide detailed factual basis when ordering supervised visitation and directs child welfare agencies to assess potential supervisors proposed by parents. If no qualified supervisor is identified, the agency must provide supervision during times when both parent and child are available.

The legislation enhances reporting requirements for social workers, who must document why returning a child to parental custody would be detrimental and explain any decisions not to liberalize visitation. These expanded duties create additional responsibilities for county social workers without requiring state reimbursement. For cases involving Indian children, the bill maintains existing requirements for tribal consultation and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The measure modifies permanency review hearing procedures, establishing clearer timelines and documentation requirements for evaluating a child's placement status. Courts retain discretion to liberalize visitation arrangements unless specific findings indicate such changes would compromise child safety. All visits must occur in settings that minimize restrictions while maximizing opportunities for meaningful family interaction.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Mike Gipson
Mike GipsonD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Lisa Calderon
Lisa CalderonD
California State Assembly Member
Isaac Bryan
Isaac BryanD
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2752
Juvenile court: visitation.
February 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Key Takeaways

  • Requires courts to order parent-child visitation within 72 hours of initial hearings in juvenile dependency cases.
  • Mandates unsupervised parent-child visits unless there is proven substantial danger to the child's safety.
  • Requires social workers to document efforts to expand visitation and explain why supervised visits remain necessary.
  • Orders visits to occur in the least restrictive settings that promote quality family time.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Mike Gipson
Mike GipsonD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Lisa Calderon
Lisa CalderonD
California State Assembly Member
Isaac Bryan
Isaac BryanD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Members Gipson, Bryan, and Calderon have proposed comprehensive changes to California's juvenile dependency court procedures, introducing new requirements for visitation orders between dependent children and their parents or legal guardians. The legislation mandates courts to establish specific visitation schedules at initial petition hearings, including frequency and duration details, while creating a presumption favoring unsupervised visitation.

Under the proposed changes, courts must order parent-child contact to begin within 72 hours of relevant hearings when no visitation schedule exists. The bill requires courts to provide detailed factual basis when ordering supervised visitation and directs child welfare agencies to assess potential supervisors proposed by parents. If no qualified supervisor is identified, the agency must provide supervision during times when both parent and child are available.

The legislation enhances reporting requirements for social workers, who must document why returning a child to parental custody would be detrimental and explain any decisions not to liberalize visitation. These expanded duties create additional responsibilities for county social workers without requiring state reimbursement. For cases involving Indian children, the bill maintains existing requirements for tribal consultation and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The measure modifies permanency review hearing procedures, establishing clearer timelines and documentation requirements for evaluating a child's placement status. Courts retain discretion to liberalize visitation arrangements unless specific findings indicate such changes would compromise child safety. All visits must occur in settings that minimize restrictions while maximizing opportunities for meaningful family interaction.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2752
Juvenile court: visitation.
February 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1