AB-1449
Social Services

Children: temporary custody.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Reduces the adoption request filing deadline from 10 to 7 working days after signing an adoption agreement.
  • Requires immediate notification to child welfare if an adoption plan is terminated.
  • Mandates detailed documentation before releasing newborns to prospective adoptive parents.
  • Prohibits releasing children back to birth parents without a safety investigation.

Summary

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's proposal to modify California's adoption filing requirements aims to accelerate the timeline for processing hospital-based adoptions while maintaining existing child safety protocols. The legislation would reduce the period for prospective adoptive parents to file adoption requests from 10 to 7 working days after executing an adoption placement agreement.

The measure preserves current provisions allowing peace officers to take temporary custody of hospitalized children when their release would pose immediate danger, while maintaining the 30-day deadline for filing guardianship petitions after hospital discharge. The bill retains requirements for detailed documentation, including the Health Facility Minor Release Report, which must contain notices about parental rights and specify that the document does not constitute adoption consent. When adoption plans are terminated, prospective adoptive parents or agencies must notify child welfare authorities and cannot release children to birth parents until officials verify the transfer's safety.

The legislation continues existing protections under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and maintains the requirement that hospitals complete release reports upon birth parent request. Peace officers retain discretion in investigating prospective adoptive parents, as the bill includes no new investigative mandates. County child welfare agencies would process adoption paperwork under the condensed timeline while adhering to current oversight responsibilities.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Celeste Rodriguez
Celeste RodriguezD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Reduces the adoption request filing deadline from 10 to 7 working days after signing an adoption agreement.
  • Requires immediate notification to child welfare if an adoption plan is terminated.
  • Mandates detailed documentation before releasing newborns to prospective adoptive parents.
  • Prohibits releasing children back to birth parents without a safety investigation.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Celeste Rodriguez
Celeste RodriguezD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's proposal to modify California's adoption filing requirements aims to accelerate the timeline for processing hospital-based adoptions while maintaining existing child safety protocols. The legislation would reduce the period for prospective adoptive parents to file adoption requests from 10 to 7 working days after executing an adoption placement agreement.

The measure preserves current provisions allowing peace officers to take temporary custody of hospitalized children when their release would pose immediate danger, while maintaining the 30-day deadline for filing guardianship petitions after hospital discharge. The bill retains requirements for detailed documentation, including the Health Facility Minor Release Report, which must contain notices about parental rights and specify that the document does not constitute adoption consent. When adoption plans are terminated, prospective adoptive parents or agencies must notify child welfare authorities and cannot release children to birth parents until officials verify the transfer's safety.

The legislation continues existing protections under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and maintains the requirement that hospitals complete release reports upon birth parent request. Peace officers retain discretion in investigating prospective adoptive parents, as the bill includes no new investigative mandates. County child welfare agencies would process adoption paperwork under the condensed timeline while adhering to current oversight responsibilities.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member