CA AB 2224

Title: Human services: special immigrant juvenile status.
Author: Miguel Santiago

Summary
AB 2224, as amended, Santiago. Human services: special immigrant juvenile status. Existing federal law establishes a procedure for providing certain immigrants with the classification of special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS) and authorizes those persons to apply for an adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident within the United States. Under federal law, SIJS criteria include, among other things, that the immigrant’s reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under state law, and for whom it would not be in their best interest to be returned to their or their parent’s previous country of nationality or country of last habitual residence. Under existing state law, a superior court has jurisdiction to make the factual findings necessary to enable a child to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a special immigrant juvenile under those federal provisions.If the court issues an order making the necessary determinations regarding SIJS, this bill would require that a certified copy of the order be provided to the petitioner on the same day the order was issued by the court.Existing law authorizes the probate court to appoint a guardian of the person of an unmarried individual who is 18 years of age or older, but who has not yet attained 21 years of age, in connection with a petition to make the necessary findings regarding SIJS, as specified, if the proposed ward consents. Existing law authorizes the petition for guardianship to be filed by a parent, relative, or any other person on behalf of the proposed ward, or by the proposed ward.This bill would authorize a court to appoint a parent as the guardian of the person of their unmarried child who is 18 years of age or older, but who has not yet attained 21 years of age, under those provisions. The bill would also make technical and conforming changes to related provisions.Under existing state law, noncitizen victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, as defined, are eligible for certain public social services and health care services to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the United States as refugees. Existing law requires the discontinuance of those services if there is a final administrative denial of a visa application, as specified. Existing law requires that benefits and services under those provisions be paid from state funds to the extent federal funding is unavailable.This bill would expand those services to individuals who have filed a petition with the appropriate federal agency for SIJS, and to individuals who received, or who made or are preparing to make a request for, an order from the superior court making the necessary determinations to enable them to file that petition for SIJS. The bill would require the discontinuance of the services if there is a final administrative denial of all pending applications or petitions by an individual, as specified. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions. By increasing duties for counties to administer and determine eligibility for public social services and health care services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program.This bill would instead provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing these provisions.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the

Status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

Bill Documents
CA AB 2224 - 04/11/24 - Amended Assembly
04/11/24 - CA AB 2224 (04/11/24 - Amended Assembly)