Immigration: unaccompanied undocumented minors: right to legal counsel.
- Requires California to provide legal counsel to undocumented minors in federal custody or living with sponsors.
- Guarantees legal representation for immigration proceedings and related court matters.
- Mandates attorneys receive specialized training in asylum and immigration visa processes.
- Requires legal service providers to maintain malpractice insurance and indemnify the state.
Assembly Member Bonta's legislation mandates state-provided legal counsel for unaccompanied undocumented minors in California who are either in federal Office of Refugee Resettlement custody or residing with family members or sponsors. The right to representation begins when a minor receives a notice to appear for immigration removal proceedings and extends through all related state court proceedings, federal immigration matters, and subsequent appeals.
The Department of Social Services must contract with either qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or county public defender offices to provide these services. Public defender offices must maintain an immigration unit or contract with immigration attorneys having at least three years of relevant experience. Additionally, attorneys handling these cases must complete four hours of specialized training covering asylum, T-visas, U-visas, and special immigrant juvenile status.
The bill defines eligible minors as individuals under 18 years old who lack lawful immigration status and have no parent or legal guardian available in the United States to provide care and custody. Contracted legal service providers must carry malpractice insurance and indemnify the state against claims arising from their representation. The measure builds upon existing state programs that fund legal services for unaccompanied minors through nonprofit organizations, while expanding the pool of qualified providers to include public defender offices meeting specified requirements.
 Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assemblymember | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Monique LimonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Josh BeckerD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mia BontaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 0 | 13 | PASS |
- Requires California to provide legal counsel to undocumented minors in federal custody or living with sponsors.
- Guarantees legal representation for immigration proceedings and related court matters.
- Mandates attorneys receive specialized training in asylum and immigration visa processes.
- Requires legal service providers to maintain malpractice insurance and indemnify the state.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Bonta's legislation mandates state-provided legal counsel for unaccompanied undocumented minors in California who are either in federal Office of Refugee Resettlement custody or residing with family members or sponsors. The right to representation begins when a minor receives a notice to appear for immigration removal proceedings and extends through all related state court proceedings, federal immigration matters, and subsequent appeals.
The Department of Social Services must contract with either qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or county public defender offices to provide these services. Public defender offices must maintain an immigration unit or contract with immigration attorneys having at least three years of relevant experience. Additionally, attorneys handling these cases must complete four hours of specialized training covering asylum, T-visas, U-visas, and special immigrant juvenile status.
The bill defines eligible minors as individuals under 18 years old who lack lawful immigration status and have no parent or legal guardian available in the United States to provide care and custody. Contracted legal service providers must carry malpractice insurance and indemnify the state against claims arising from their representation. The measure builds upon existing state programs that fund legal services for unaccompanied minors through nonprofit organizations, while expanding the pool of qualified providers to include public defender offices meeting specified requirements.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 0 | 13 | PASS |
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Monique LimonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Josh BeckerD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mia BontaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |