Laws and Policy

We implement policy advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Our work includes policy development, lobbying, coalition building, and community organizing.

Browse Laws & Policy

Foster Youth Education Success Program (2017)

HB 2665

HB 2665 establishes the Foster Youth Education Success Fund and authorizes a $1,000,000 appropriation in FY 2018 from the General Fund as well as a dollar for dollar match of state funds with philanthropic funds up to $500,000. The legislation funds a statewide expansion of FosterEd: Arizona's Pima County demonstration program. This demonstration program has improved education outcomes for school-age foster children in the county.

Enacted

Oversight of County Mental Health Services for Foster Youth (2016)

SB 1291 (Beall)

This bill provides more accountability and oversight for the delivery of mental health services. It also addresses the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ concerns about California’s lack of oversight and monitoring of services delivered under the 1915 (b) waiver.

Enacted

Reproductive Choice and Parental Notification

The California Confidential Health Information Act of 2012 (SB 138)

The California Confidential Health Information Act of 2012 (SB 138) was California’s response to the problem. The National Center for Youth Law co-sponsored the bill and is actively working on implementation of the new law, which went into effect on January 1, 2015.

Enacted

The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016

Proposition 57

This California ballot measure adopted in 2016 will enhance public safety and help California replace its costly over reliance on bloated prisons with smart justice strategies focused on rehabilitation.

Enacted

Prescriber Oversight Legislation (2016)

SB 1174 (McGuire)

This bill enables the Medical Board of California to confidentially collect and analyze data, and, when warranted, conduct investigations of physicians who frequently prescribe over the recognized safety parameters for children.

Enacted

Decriminalization of Child Sex Trafficking Victims (2016)

SB 1322 (Mitchell)

In 2016, California signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1322 which precludes minor victims of commercial sexual exploitation from being arrested and charged with prostitution and loitering with intent.

Enacted

Training and Data Sharing for Public Agencies (2015)

SB 238 (Mitchell)

The goal of this legislation is to develop and review data, to develop a system of alerts, to update court processes and forms, and to improve training for county workers and others who work directly with children for cases in which psychotropic medications and/or antidepressants are being prescribed for foster youth.

Enacted

Foster Youth Services (2015)

AB 854 (Weber)

Foster Youth Services (FYS) programs provide supplemental educational services and supports to foster children in California. Nearly two-thirds of the state's foster children are ineligible for these services which are limited to foster students in institutional placements. NCYL is working on legislative solutions to expand FYS to all California foster children bringing FYS into alignment with the State's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for education and giving the FYS program a greater role in ensuring foster children are well served through the LCFF.

Enacted

Monitoring Group Homes for Excessive Use of Psychotropic Medication (2015)

SB 484 (Beall)

More than half of California foster children in group homes are sedated with powerful chemical restraints. Inadequate oversight encourages over-reliance on drugs to control California's most traumatized children. This legislation establishes appropriate treatment protocols and oversight.

Enacted

Browse Resources

How to Support Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation During Testimony

Supporting youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation when they are called to testify in criminal court proceedings against their traffickers is essential for youth’s safety, mental health, and well-being.

Ensuring California Youth in Foster Care Receive Gender Affirming and Reproductive Health Care

All youth deserve the right to healthy relationships, healthy sexual development, and bodily autonomy to ensure they can lead thriving lives and create the futures they envision for themselves.

A Guide to Implementing & Evaluating Services for Youth Experiencing Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Supporting the holistic needs of children and youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation requires thoughtful collaboration and assessment among agencies. This includes understanding if services provided to children and youth are helping them thrive.

A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Services Under Medi-Cal

Judicial Bench Guide: Supporting the Mental Health of Children and Youth in Family Court

The Student-Affirming Education Needed for Our Children and Our Nation’s Future

Practice Advisory: Preliminary Injunction in Lucas R. v. Becerra

This practice advisory discusses the recent issuance of a preliminary injunction in Lucas R. v. Becerra and aims to help legal service providers and child advocates make use of the due process protections now required.

Expanded Confidentiality and Sealing Provisions for Youth Police Records

This guide provides an overview the different types of encounters with law enforcement that are covered by the additional confidentiality protections, the types of records and information that are protected, and what the requirements are for diversion service providers, law enforcement, and probation departments.

Fostering Parenthood the Podcast

This groundbreaking podcast released by NCYL's Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP), explores important topics impacting caregivers and youth today including consent, healthy relationships, sexual orientation, trauma, and foster youth rights.