Attorney General No.

SA2001RF0004

Secretary of State No.

911

Description

JUVENILE COURT. DEPENDENCY HEARINGS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Allows jury trial on allegations of abuse or neglect in juvenile dependency hearings. Requires public hearings, unless a finding of serious harm or harm to the child's best interest. Grants such hearings precedence over civil matters. Requires good cause showing for continuance; court may not grant continuance if contrary to child's interest or beyond 30 days following removal of the child absent a finding of exceptional circumstances. Prohibits support and cost reimbursement order if petitioner's request for continuance granted. Creates preference for relative placement where child is initially removed from parents. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The net fiscal impact of this initiative is unknown due to the potential unknown state costs related to court activities for juvenile dependency jury trials and the potential unknown foster care costs or savings, depending on how the change to a jury trial system alters foster care placement outcomes.

Proponents

Mr. Thomas Hiltachk, Bell, McAndrews, Hiltachk & Davidian, LLP, 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 801, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 442-7757

Date

3-28-2001

Document Type

Initiative

Qualified

Failed to Qualify

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