The attorneys of Dependency Legal Services (DLS) use the legal process to work toward systems improvement and hold system partners accountable whenever necessary. 

As part of these efforts, we draft and advocate for legislation that affects outcomes for families and youth. Our team also provides training and serves as an educational resource so that others working in the legal system are empowered to create change and better serve clients using our experience and expertise.

Recent Legislative Accomplishments

Law book

Dependency Legal Services co-sponsored several bills that were signed into law by Governor Newsome. As with all of our legislative efforts, we strive to advocate for policy changes that support families, increase reunification and promote stability for foster youth throughout California. 

Originally numbered Assembly Bill No. 876 (AB876)(2023-2024)

This bill allows the Juvenile Court to maintain jurisdiction after a minor in foster care has died to receive documents regarding the minor’s death. This was passed into law through the omnibus bill AB 1756. 

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Assembly Bill No. 937 (AB937)(2023-2024)

Absent special circumstance, AB 937 requires the Juvenile Court to continue reunification services past the 18-month date if the court makes a finding that the agency has not provided reasonable services during the last review period. AB937 abrogated the Supreme Court’s decision In re Michael G. (2023) 14 Cal. 5th 609.

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Assembly Bill No. 2159 (AB2159)(2021-2022)

Prohibits the Juvenile Court from applying the 361.5(e) bypass to incarcerated parents who are in custody prior to conviction. 

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Assembly Bill No. 2866 (AB2866)(2021-2022)

Clarified that the Juvenile Court must find that reasonable services have been provided to a parent by clear and convincing evidence at every review period. 
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Assembly Bill No. 592 (AB592)(2021-2022)

Helps support transition-aged foster youth struggling with homelessness. It requires the social worker to outline in their report the status of the youth’s housing situation before termination of jurisdiction. For homeless youths, the social worker also has to document the steps that were taken to help assist the youth with housing.
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Assembly Bill No. 788 (AB788)(2021-2022)

Codifies a recent appellate court decision, In re B.E. (2002) 54 Cal. App. 5th 38.), which overruled the doctrine of passive resistance to drug treatment when assessing parents for reunification services. AB788 will ensure that many parents struggling with substance abuse will be allowed to pursue the help they need and reunify with their family. 

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Assembly Bill No. 841 (AB841)(2021-2022)

Amends the Welfare and Institutions Code to state that a child cannot be found a dependent of the court simply due to a parent’s failure to seek custody orders. 

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Training & Education

Lawyers at a classroom

Knowledge sharing is an essential part of achieving positive outcomes for families in California and beyond. DLS provides the highest level of attorney training, mentoring, and supervision to its staff and contractors. In addition, DLS attorneys use publications, teaching and training opportunities to strengthen skills and serve as a resource for others in the field.

Are you interested in training from Dependency Legal Services? Contact us at info@dependencyls.com to let us know about your needs and interests.

Publications

Our personnel write and edit the leading treatise on California juvenile law. We have also served as editors and contributing authors to other leading publications, including the first-ever national book relating to parent representation in child welfare proceedings. 

Teaching

We continue to teach effective representation throughout the country.  Through our service at the state and federal levels, DLS has access to the state’s and nation’s foremost authorities in juvenile law and invests its resources in having these professionals teach and provide case-specific technical assistance as needed. DLS personnel have taught on nearly every topic relating to child welfare representation, including effective client communication, trial advocacy and how to navigate agency processes to obtain results for clients.

Training

DLS believes in quality, consistent training. Our attorneys have planned curricula for and taught in a large number of state and national conferences, including Beyond the Bench, National Association of Counsel for Children and ABA Center on Children and the Law. DLS also works closely with other training providers to bring state and national experts to train our attorneys, in addition to having our team learn from local experts whenever possible.

You Can Create Change

Invest in the future of California families and support our work to improve outcomes for parents and children through policy, legislation and training.

Support Policy Change