Bill would help stop child trafficking and other dangers to missing kids
SACRAMENTO—A bill requiring county social workers or probation officers to immediately notify parents or legal guardians, attorneys for parents, court-appointed special advocate, the court of jurisdiction and others when they receive information that children receiving child welfare services – including non-minor dependents – are missing from foster care. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 2108.
Ramos said, “Ensuring that missing children are found as quickly as possible by using the notification of the supportive people in their lives is what we should be doing as a state. That is a best practice not followed by all counties in the state. Incomplete notification can delay finding a missing child and lead to life-changing, even fatal consequences for children.”
Ramos added, “While missing, these young people are especially vulnerable to substance abuse, trafficking or other dangers. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 19% of children and youth who ran away from foster care likely experienced sex trafficking. Missing children also contribute to our high rates of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People cases. We also know that the potential risk is magnified for Native American children in the system who enter at a rate that is 2.7 times their representation in the population, the highest of any racial group.”
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General issued an audit that reported California had the highest number of child deaths while missing.
“AB 2108 will protect children by creating a more family-centered and child-focused process to locate, return, and stabilize children and youth who go missing while in the care, custody, and control of the child welfare system. The Alliance for Children’s Rights thanks Assemblymember Ramos for his dedicated leadership to create greater transparency and action when children and youth are missing from foster care and urges Governor Newsom to continue his commitment to protecting California’s children by signing AB 2108,” stated Kristin Power, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Alliance for Children’s Rights.
“Missing foster children are at great risk and account for much of the MMIP crisis,” said Joseph L. James, the Yurok Tribe’s Chairperson. “This bill will ensure that more measures are taken to find and support our most vulnerable youth.”
The Yurok Tribe, California Tribal Families Coalition and Alliance for Children’s Rights are sponsors. Other supporters include the Cahuilla Band of Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Tejon Indian Tribe, Tule River Tribe, California Alliance of Caregivers, California Coalition for Youth, California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, California Teachers Association, All for Kids, California Tribal Business Alliance, Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, Inc., Children’s Bureau of Southern California, John Burton Advocates for Youth and Smart Justice California.
September 30 is the last day for the governor to sign or veto bills.
