AB 1376: Wards: probation.
This bill aims to amend the juvenile court system by limiting the probation period for minors to 12 months from the most recent disposition hearing. However, a court may extend the probation period after a noticed hearing if it is in the best interest of the ward and the public. The court must provide the ward and the prosecuting attorney with the opportunity to present relevant evidence for any extension request. Noticed hearings must be held at least every 6 months for the remainder of the wardship period if the court extends probation. Additionally, the bill requires conditions of probation to be individually tailored, developmentally appropriate, and reasonable. The court's authority to order a minor to pay a fine or participate in an uncompensated work program in lieu of restitution is removed. Certain actions as a condition of probation, such as attending counseling or performing…
| Oct. 10, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 575, Statutes of 2025. |
| Oct. 10, 2025 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 24, 2025 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Sep. 13, 2025 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 48. Noes 21. Page 3475.). |
| Sep. 13, 2025 | Joint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.) |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
(a) Evidence demonstrates that community safety is best achieved through provision of individualized, comprehensive youth development and health-based approaches to address youth challenges and behaviors, keeping youth in families and communities whenever possible, and prioritizing family connection and reunification.SEC. 2.
Section 602.05 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:602.05.
(a) A minor adjudged to be a ward of the court pursuant to Section 601 or 602 who is subject to an order of probation pursuant to Section 727, with or without supervision of the probation officer, shall not remain on probation for a period that exceeds 12 months from the most recent disposition hearing, except as specified in subdivision (b). Nothing in this section shall preclude the court from holding progress review hearings at any point prior to 12 months from the most recent disposition hearing.SEC. 3.
Section 729 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.
If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 by reason of the commission of a battery on school property as described in Penal Code Section 243.5, and the court does not remove the minor from the physical custody of the parent or guardian, the court as a condition of probation, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to make restitution to the victim of the battery. If restitution is found to be inappropriate, the court, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to perform specified community service. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of a juvenile court to provide conditions of probation.SEC. 4.
Section 729.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.1.
(a) (1) If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 by reason of the commission of a crime which takes place on a public transit vehicle, and the court does not remove the minor from the physical custody of the parent or guardian, the court as a condition of probation, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to wash, paint, repair, or replace the damaged or destroyed property, or otherwise make restitution to the property owner. If restitution is found to be inappropriate, the court, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to perform specified community service. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of a juvenile court to provide conditions of probation.SEC. 5.
Section 729.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.2.
If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 601 or 602 and the court does not remove the minor from the physical custody of the parent or guardian, the court as a condition of probation, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may:SEC. 6.
Section 729.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.6.
If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 by reason of the commission of an offense described in Section 241.2 or 243.2 of the Penal Code, the court may, in addition to any other fine, sentence, or as a condition of probation, order the minor to attend counseling.SEC. 7.
Section 729.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.8.
(a) If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 by reason of the unlawful possession, use, sale, or other furnishing of a controlled substance, as defined in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of the Health and Safety Code, an imitation controlled substance, as defined in Section 109550 of the Health and Safety Code, or toluene or a toxic, as described in Section 381 of the Penal Code, upon the grounds of any school providing instruction in kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or any church or synagogue, playground, public or private youth center, child day care facility, or public swimming pool, during hours in which these facilities are open for business, classes, or school-related activities or programs, or at any time when minors are using the facility, the court, as a condition of probation, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons that the condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to perform not more than 100 hours of community service.SEC. 8.
Section 729.9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:729.9.
If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 by reason of the commission of an offense involving the unlawful possession, use, sale, or other furnishing of a controlled substance, as defined in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, and, unless it makes a finding that this condition would not serve the interests of justice, the court, when recommended by the probation officer, may require, as a condition of probation, in addition to any other disposition authorized by law, that the minor shall not use or be under the influence of any controlled substance and shall submit to drug and substance abuse testing as directed by the probation officer.SEC. 9.
Section 730 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:730.
(a) (1) When a minor is adjudged a ward of the court on the ground that they are a person described by Section 602, the court may order any of the types of treatment referred to in Section 727, and as an additional alternative, may commit the minor to a juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp. If there is no county juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp within the county, the court may commit the minor to the county juvenile hall. In addition, the court may also make any of the following orders:SEC. 10.
Section 742.16 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:742.16.
(a) If a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 of this code by reason of the commission of an act prohibited by Section 594, 594.3, 594.4, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7 of the Penal Code, and the court does not remove the minor from the physical custody of the parent or guardian, the court as a condition of probation, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons why that condition would be inappropriate, may require the minor to wash, paint, repair, or replace the property defaced, damaged, or destroyed by the minor or otherwise pay restitution to the probation officer of the county for disbursement to the owner or possessor of the property or both. In any case in which the minor is not granted probation or in which the minor’s cleanup, repair, or replacement of the property will not return the property to its condition before it was defaced, damaged, or destroyed, the court shall make a finding of the amount of restitution that would be required to fully compensate the owner and possessor of the property for their damages. The court may order the minor or the minor’s estate to pay that restitution to the probation officer of the county for disbursement to the owner or possessor of the property or both, only if the court determines that the minor or the minor’s estate has the ability to do so, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons why full restitution would be inappropriate. If full restitution is found to be inappropriate, the court may require the minor to perform specified community service, except in any case in which the court makes a finding and states on the record its reasons why that condition would be inappropriate.