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AB 1967 closes gaps in California’s child welfare response and removes barriers to extended foster care for young adults.
February 15, 2026 - SACRAMENTO, CA - On Friday, Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Hollywood) introduced AB 1967, legislation to end instability for vulnerable youth by strengthening safeguards when young people seek protection and ensuring timely access to extended foster care for young adults who need transitional support. Sponsored by the Alliance for Children's Rights and the California Coalition for Youth, this bill establishes clear requirements for timely and responsive action by county child welfare agencies when a youth self-petitions for protection, and ensures that former youth in foster care ages 18 to 21 are not denied access to extended foster care when a guardian or adoptive parent continues to collect benefits without providing ongoing support.
"Young people who reach out for help are often doing so at a moment of crisis," said Assemblymember Zbur. "This bill ensures that youth in foster care—who are disproportionately LGBTQ+, Black, and Native American—receive timely support and crucial interventions required to care for youth and keep them safe."
Youth who experience abuse, neglect, or unsafe home environments often face inconsistent or delayed responses when they independently seek help from Child Protective Services. These gaps can leave young people—particularly those experiencing homelessness or family instability—without a reliable pathway to safety or care. In 2024, Child Protective Services received more than 400,000 reports of abuse or neglect statewide. A recent State Auditor report found that investigations and services are frequently delayed due to staff shortages and high caseloads, leaving vulnerable youth without timely protection.
The bill establishes clear safeguards requiring prompt action when youth directly seek entry into foster care, requiring county social workers to immediately review self-petitions alleging abuse or neglect in their home to determine whether to open a juvenile dependency case within 21 days. The legislation also ensures that young adults ages 18 to 21 are not blocked from extended foster care when they are no longer receiving support and are at risk of homelessness.
"The holistic vision of Extended Foster Care is to provide support to our young people as they face the realities of transitioning from foster care to adulthood just as families support their youth in those years. We appreciate Assemblymember Zbur's championing of AB 1967 which reduces artificial barriers and ensures the systems in place to support young people are responsive to their needs to prevent housing instability," said Kristin Power, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Alliance for Children's Rights.
"When vulnerable minors who are victims of abuse or neglect reach out for help, the systems designed to protect them need to be able to respond in a timely manner. We are grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for his partnership and leadership in advancing AB 1967, which strengthens pathways to timely, critical support for those who need it most," said Jevon Wilkes, Executive Director for the California Coalition for Youth.
At its core, the legislation is about strengthening accountability, improving responsiveness, and ensuring youth are not left without protection or stability during critical transitions.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
Source: Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
