AB 1688 would require county welfare agencies to notify a parent's dependency-court attorney when abuse or neglect is reported involving their child in foster placement.
Assembly Bill 1688 would require county welfare agencies to notify the attorney representing a parent or legal guardian in dependency court whenever the agency receives a report of suspected abuse or neglect involving that parent's child while the child is in an out-of-home foster placement. The notice would not disclose the substance of the report, and the requirement would not apply once a parent's rights have already been terminated.
The American Council supports AB 1688 because parents whose children are in the foster system do not lose their right to be informed about matters affecting their own child. Keeping parents — through their counsel — in the loop when abuse or neglect is suspected protects the parent-child relationship and strengthens due process for families navigating the dependency system.
AB 1688 was enrolled and presented to the Governor on September 3, 2026, and now awaits his signature or veto. We urge the Governor to sign it into law.
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