reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions › Section 9303.

9303. (a) Except as permitted by the court, upon a finding of good cause, a person shall not adopt more than one unrelated adult pursuant to this part within one year of the person’s adoption of an unrelated adult unless the proposed adoptee is the biological sibling of a person previously adopted pursuant to this part or unless the proposed adoptee is disabled or physically handicapped. An order finding good cause shall be in writing or stated on the record.
(b) Except as permitted by the court, upon a finding of good cause, a person shall not adopt an unrelated adult pursuant to this part within one year of an adoption of another person pursuant to this part by the prospective adoptive parent’s spouse unless the proposed adoptee is a biological sibling of a person previously adopted pursuant to this part. An order finding good cause shall be in writing or stated on the record.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 478, Sec. 22. (AB 1756) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions › Section 9304.

9304. A person adopted pursuant to this part may take the family name of the adoptive parent.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions › Section 9305.

9305. After adoption, the adoptee and the adoptive parent or parents shall sustain towards each other the legal relationship of parent and child and have all the rights and are subject to all the duties of that relationship.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions › Section 9306.

9306. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the birth parents of a person adopted pursuant to this part are, from the time of the adoption, relieved of all parental duties towards, and all responsibility for, the adopted person, and have no right over the adopted person.
(b) If an adult is adopted by the spouse of a birth parent, the parental rights and responsibilities of that birth parent are not affected by the adoption.
(c) An adult being adopted pursuant to this part may waive the termination of the parental duties and responsibilities of an existing parent or parents under subdivision (a) by signing a waiver at any time prior to the finalization of the adoption. The waiver may be included in the adoption agreement or in a separate writing filed with the court.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 192, Sec. 3. (AB 1373) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions › Section 9307.

9307. A hearing with regard to adoption under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 9320) or termination of a parent and child relationship under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 9340) may, in the discretion of the court, be open and public.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9320.

9320. (a) An adult may adopt another adult who is younger, except the spouse of the prospective adoptive parent, by an adoption agreement approved by the court, as provided in this chapter.
(b) The adoption agreement shall be in writing, executed by the prospective adoptive parent and the proposed adoptee, and shall state that the parties agree to assume toward each other the legal relationship of parent and child and to have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties and responsibilities of that relationship.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9321.

9321. (a) The prospective adoptive parent and the proposed adoptee may file in the county in which either person resides a petition for approval of the adoption agreement.
(b) The petition for approval of the adoption agreement shall state all of the following:
(1) The length and nature of the relationship between the prospective adoptive parent and the proposed adoptee.
(2) The degree of kinship, if any.
(3) The reason the adoption is sought.
(4) A statement as to why the adoption would be in the best interest of the prospective adoptive parent, the proposed adoptee, and the public.
(5) The names and addresses of any living birth parents or adult children of the proposed adoptee.
(6) Whether the prospective adoptive parent or the prospective adoptive parent’s spouse has previously adopted any other adult and, if so, the name of the adult, together with the date and place of the adoption.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9321.5.

9321.5. (a) Notwithstanding Section 9321, a person who is a resident of this state may file a petition for adult adoption with the court in any of the following:
(1) The county in which the prospective adoptive parent resides.
(2) The county in which the proposed adoptee was born or resides at the time the petition was filed.
(3) The county in which an office of the public or private agency that placed the proposed adoptee for foster care or adoption as a minor or dependent child is located.
(b) A petitioner who is not a resident of this state may file a petition for adult adoption with the court in a county specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
(Added by renumbering Section 9213 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 48. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9322.

9322. When the petition for approval of the adoption agreement is filed, the court clerk shall set the matter for hearing.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9323.

9323. The court may require notice of the time and place of the hearing to be served on any other interested person and any interested person may appear and object to the proposed adoption.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9324.

9324. Both the prospective adoptive parent and the proposed adoptee shall appear at the hearing in person, unless the court allows otherwise pursuant to Section 8613.5.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 159, Sec. 10. (AB 2495) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9325.

9325. No investigation or report to the court by any public officer or agency is required, but the court may require the county probation officer or the department to investigate the circumstances of the proposed adoption and report thereon, with recommendations, to the court before the hearing.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9326.

9326. The prospective adoptive parent shall mail or personally serve notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition to the director of the regional center for the developmentally disabled, established pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 4620) of Division 4.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and to any living birth parents or adult children of the proposed adoptee, at least 30 days before the day of the hearing on an adoption petition in any case in which both of the following conditions exist:
(a) The proposed adoptee is an adult with developmental disabilities.
(b) The prospective adoptive parent is a provider of board and care, treatment, habilitation, or other services to persons with developmental disabilities or is a spouse or employee of a provider.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9327.

9327. If the prospective adoptive parent is a provider of board and care, treatment, habilitation, or other services to persons with developmental disabilities, or is a spouse or employee of a provider, and seeks to adopt an unrelated adult with developmental disabilities, the regional center for the developmentally disabled notified pursuant to Section 9326 shall file a written report with the court regarding the suitability of the proposed adoption in meeting the needs of the proposed adoptee and regarding any known previous adoption by the prospective adoptive parent.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 2 - Procedure for Adult Adoption › Section 9328.

9328. (a) At the hearing the court shall examine the parties, or the counsel of any party not present in person.
(b) If the court is satisfied that the adoption will be in the best interests of the persons seeking the adoption and in the public interest and that there is no reason why the petition should not be granted, the court shall approve the adoption agreement and make an order of adoption declaring that the person adopted is the child of the adoptive parent. Otherwise, the court shall withhold approval of the agreement and deny the petition.
(c) In determining whether or not the adoption of any person pursuant to this part is in the best interests of the persons seeking the adoption or the public interest, the court may consider evidence, oral or written, whether or not it is in conformity with the Evidence Code.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 13 - ADOPTION › PART 3 - ADOPTION OF ADULTS AND MARRIED MINORS › CHAPTER 3 - Procedure for Terminating Adult Adoption › Section 9340.

9340. (a) Any person who has been adopted under this part may, upon written notice to the adoptive parent, file a petition to terminate the relationship of parent and child. The petition shall state the name and address of the petitioner, the name and address of the adoptive parent, the date and place of the adoption, and the circumstances upon which the petition is based.
(b) If the adoptive parent consents in writing to the termination, an order terminating the relationship of parent and child may be issued by the court without further notice.
(c) If the adoptive parent does not consent in writing to the termination, a written response shall be filed within 30 days of the date of mailing of the notice, and the matter shall be set for hearing. The court may require an investigation by the county probation officer or the department.
(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10001.

10001. (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) Child and spousal support are serious legal obligations. The entry of a child support order is frequently delayed while parents engage in protracted litigation concerning custody and visitation. The current system for obtaining child and spousal support orders is suffering because the family courts are unduly burdened with heavy case loads and do not have sufficient personnel to meet increased demands on the courts.
(2) Reports to the Legislature regarding the family law pilot projects in the Superior Courts of the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo indicate that the pilot projects have provided a cost-effective and efficient method for the courts to process family law cases that involve unrepresented litigants with issues concerning child support, spousal support, and health insurance.
(3) The reports to the Legislature further indicate that the pilot projects in both counties have been successful in making the process of obtaining court orders concerning child support, spousal support, and health insurance more accessible to unrepresented parties. Surveys conducted by both counties indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the services provided by the pilot projects.
(4) There is a compelling state interest in having a speedy, conflict-reducing system for resolving issues of child support, spousal support, and health insurance that is cost-effective and accessible to families that cannot afford legal representation.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to make the services provided in the family law pilot projects in the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo available to unrepresented parties in the superior courts of all California counties.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10002.

10002. Each superior court shall maintain an office of the family law facilitator. The office of the family law facilitator shall be staffed by an attorney licensed to practice law in this state who has mediation or litigation experience, or both, in the field of family law. The family law facilitator shall be appointed by the superior court.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10003.

10003. This division shall apply to all actions or proceedings for temporary or permanent child support, spousal support, health insurance, child custody, or visitation in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, legal separation, or exclusive child custody, or pursuant to the Uniform Parentage Act (Part 3 (commencing with Section 7600) of Division 12) or the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 6200)).
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 652, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10004.

10004. Services provided by the family law facilitator shall include, but are not limited to, the following: providing educational materials to parents concerning the process of establishing parentage and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support and spousal support in the courts; distributing necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity; providing assistance in completing forms; preparing support schedules based upon statutory guidelines; and providing referrals to the local child support agency, family court services, and other community agencies and resources that provide services for parents and children. In counties where a family law information center exists, the family law facilitator shall provide assistance on child support issues.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 652, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10005.

10005. (a) By local rule, the superior court may designate additional duties of the family law facilitator, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Meeting with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support, and maintenance of health insurance, subject to Section 10012. Actions in which one or both of the parties are unrepresented by counsel shall have priority.
(2) Drafting stipulations to include all issues agreed to by the parties, which may include issues other than those specified in Section 10003.
(3) If the parties are unable to resolve issues with the assistance of the family law facilitator, prior to or at the hearing, and at the request of the court, the family law facilitator shall review the paperwork, examine documents, prepare support schedules, and advise the judge whether or not the matter is ready to proceed.
(4) Assisting the clerk in maintaining records.
(5) Preparing formal orders consistent with the court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented.
(6) Serving as a special master in proceedings and making findings to the court unless the family law facilitator has served as a mediator in that case.
(7) Providing the services specified in Section 10004 concerning the issues of child custody and visitation as they relate to calculating child support, if funding is provided for that purpose.
(b) If staff and other resources are available and the duties listed in subdivision (a) have been accomplished, the duties of the family law facilitator may also include the following:
(1) Assisting the court with research and any other responsibilities that will enable the court to be responsive to the litigants’ needs.
(2) Developing programs for bar and community outreach through day and evening programs, video recordings, and other innovative means that will assist unrepresented and financially disadvantaged litigants in gaining meaningful access to family court. These programs shall specifically include information concerning underutilized legislation, such as expedited child support orders (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 3620) of Part 1 of Division 9), and preexisting, court-sponsored programs, such as supervised visitation and appointment of attorneys for children.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 138. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10006.

10006. The court shall adopt a protocol wherein all litigants, both unrepresented by counsel and represented by counsel, have ultimate access to a hearing before the court.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10008.

10008. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to a child for whom services are provided or required to be provided by a local child support agency pursuant to Section 17400.
(b) In cases in which the services of the local child support agency are provided pursuant to Section 17400, either parent may utilize the services of the family law facilitator that are specified in Section 10004. In order for a custodial parent who is receiving the services of the local child support agency pursuant to Section 17400 to utilize the services specified in Section 10005 relating to support, the custodial parent must obtain written authorization from the local child support agency. It is not the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to limit the duties of local child support agencies with respect to seeking child support payments or to in any way limit or supersede other provisions of this code respecting temporary child support.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 808, Sec. 78. Effective September 28, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10011.

10011. The Director of the State Department of Social Services shall seek approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support Enforcement, to utilize funding under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act for the services provided pursuant to this division.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10012.

10012. (a) In a proceeding in which mediation is required pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10005, where there has been a history of domestic violence between the parties or where a protective order as defined in Section 6218 is in effect, at the request of the party alleging domestic violence in a written declaration under penalty of perjury or protected by the order, the family law facilitator shall meet with the parties separately and at separate times.
(b) Any intake form that the office of the family law facilitator requires the parties to complete before the commencement of mediation shall state that, if a party alleging domestic violence in a written declaration under penalty of perjury or a party protected by a protective order so requests, the mediator will meet with the parties separately and at separate times.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10013.

10013. The family law facilitator shall not represent any party. No attorney-client relationship is created between a party and the family law facilitator as a result of any information or services provided to the party by the family law facilitator. The family law facilitator shall give conspicuous notice that no attorney-client relationship exists between the facilitator, its staff, and the family law litigant. The notice shall include the advice that the absence of an attorney-client relationship means that communications between the party and the family law facilitator are not privileged and that the family law facilitator may provide services to the other party.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 652, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10014.

10014. A person employed by, or directly supervised by, the family law facilitator shall not make any public comment about a pending or impending proceeding in the court as provided by paragraph (9) of subdivision (B) of Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Ethics. All persons employed by or directly supervised by the family law facilitator shall be provided a copy of paragraph (9) of subdivision (B) of Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Ethics, and shall be required to sign an acknowledgment that the person is aware of its provisions.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 139. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 14 - FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR ACT › Section 10015.

10015. The Judicial Council shall create any necessary forms to advise the parties of the types of services provided, that there is no attorney-client relationship, that the family law facilitator is not responsible for the outcome of any case, that the family law facilitator does not represent any party and will not appear in court on the party’s behalf, and that the other party may also be receiving information and services from the family law facilitator.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 652, Sec. 15.5. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17200.

17200. The Department of Child Support Services is hereby created within the California Health and Human Services Agency. The department shall administer all services and perform all functions necessary to establish, collect, and distribute child support.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17202.

17202. (a)  The department is hereby designated the single organizational unit whose duty it shall be to administer the Title IV-D state plan for securing child and spousal support, medical support, and determining paternity. State plan functions shall be performed by other agencies as required by law, by delegation of the department, or by cooperative agreements.
(b) The department shall appoint the local child support agency, as defined in Section 17304, or any other entity receiving federal tax information in performance of its child support duties as its designee for purposes of paragraph (26) of subdivision (b) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c) For purposes of this section, “federal tax information” is as defined in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 19, Sec. 7. (AB 111) Effective June 27, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17204.

17204. The department consists of the director and such division or other administrative units as the director may find necessary.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17206.

17206. The department shall ensure that there is an adequate organizational structure and sufficient staff to perform functions delegated to any governmental unit relating to Part D (commencing with Section 651) of Subchapter 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, including a sufficient number of attorneys to ensure that all requirements of due process are satisfied in the establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17208.

17208. (a) The department shall reduce the cost of, and increase the speed and efficiency of, child support enforcement operations. It is the intent of the Legislature to operate the child support enforcement program through local child support agencies without a net increase in state General Fund or county general fund costs, considering all increases to the General Fund as a result of increased collections and welfare recoupment.
(b) The department shall maximize the use of federal funds available for the costs of administering a child support services department, and to the maximum extent feasible, obtain funds from federal financial incentives for the efficient collection of child support, to defray the remaining costs of administration of the department consistent with effective and efficient support enforcement.
(c) Effective October 1, 2019, the Department of Child Support Services shall impose an administrative service fee in the amount of thirty-five dollars ($35) on a never-assisted custodial party receiving services from the California child support program for order establishment, enforcement, and collection services provided. The annual amount of child support payments collected on behalf of the custodial party must be five hundred fifty dollars ($550) or more before an administrative service fee is imposed pursuant to this subdivision. The fee shall be deducted from the custodial party’s collection payment at the time the collection payments for that year have reached levels specified by the department.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 27, Sec. 4. (SB 80) Effective June 27, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17210.

17210. The department shall ensure that the local child support agency offices and services are reasonably accessible throughout the counties, and shall establish systems for informing the public, including custodial and noncustodial parents of dependent children, of its services and operations.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 2 - Organization › Section 17211.

17211. The department shall administer the Child Support Assurance Demonstration Project established by Article 5 (commencing with Section 18241) of Chapter 3.3 of Part 6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the county demonstration projects to provide employment and training services to nonsupporting noncustodial parents authorized by Section 18205.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. However, the department may contract with the State Department of Social Services to continue development and implementation of these demonstration projects until they have been fully implemented. After the demonstration projects have been fully implemented, the department shall consult with the State Department of Social Services on the administration of the projects. The contracts for evaluation of the demonstration projects shall continue to be maintained by the State Department of Social Services. The department shall be responsible for the final evaluation of the projects.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 480, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17300.

17300. (a) With the consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint, to serve at the Governor’s pleasure, an executive officer who shall be director of the department. In making the appointment the Governor shall consider training, demonstrated ability, experience, and leadership in organized child support enforcement administration. The director shall receive the salary provided for by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11550) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b) The Governor also may appoint, to serve at the Governor’s pleasure, not to exceed two chief deputy directors of the department, and one deputy director of the department. The salaries of the chief deputy directors and the deputy director shall be fixed in accordance with law.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 142. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17302.

17302. The director shall do all of the following:
(a) Be responsible for the management of the department.
(b) Administer all federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the administration of child support enforcement obligations.
(c) Perform all duties as may be prescribed by law, and any other administrative and executive duties imposed by law.
(d) Observe, and report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the public on, the conditions of child support enforcement activities throughout the state pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 17602.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 480, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17303.

17303. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Part D (commencing with Section 651) of Subchapter 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, requires that there be a single state agency for child support enforcement. California’s child support enforcement system is extremely complex, involving numerous state and local agencies. The state’s system was divided between the State Department of Social Services, the Attorney General’s office, the Franchise Tax Board, the Employment Development Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the 58 county district attorneys’ offices.
(b) The lack of coordination and integration between state and local child support agencies has been a major impediment to getting support to the children of this state. An effective child support enforcement program must have strong leadership and effective state oversight and management to best serve the needs of the children of the state.
(c) The state would benefit by centralizing its obligation to hold counties responsible for collecting support. Oversight would be best accomplished by direct management by the state.
(d) A single state agency for child support enforcement with strong leadership and direct accountability for local child support agencies will benefit the taxpayers of the state by reducing the inefficiencies introduced by involving multiple layers of government in child support enforcement operations.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17305.

17305. (a) In order to achieve an orderly and timely transition to the new system with minimal disruption of services, the director shall begin the transition from the office of the district attorney to the local child support agencies pursuant to Section 17304, commencing January 1, 2001. The director shall transfer the appropriate number of counties, equaling at least 50 percent of the statewide caseload into the new system by January 1, 2002. The transition shall be completed by January 1, 2003. A county that has appointed an administrator for the local child support agency and has complied with the requirements of subdivision (b) may transition prior to January 1, 2001, subject to the approval of the director. In determining the order in which counties will be transferred from the office of the district attorney to the local child support agencies, the director shall do all of the following:
(1) Consider the performance of the counties in establishing and collecting child support.
(2) Minimize the disruption of the services provided by the counties.
(3) Optimize the chances of a successful transition.
(b) In order to achieve an orderly transition with minimal disruption of services, a county shall submit a plan of transition which shall be approved by the department prior to transition.
(c) The director shall consult with the district attorney to achieve an orderly transition and to minimize the disruption of services. Each district attorney shall cooperate in the transition as requested by the director.
(d) To minimize any disruption of services provided under the child support enforcement program during the transition, each district attorney shall:
(1) Continue to be designated the single organizational unit whose duty it shall be to administer the Title IV-D state plan for securing child and spousal support, medical support, and determining paternity for that county until such time as the county is notified by the director that the county has been transferred pursuant to subdivision (a) or sooner under Section 17602.
(2) At a minimum, maintain all levels of funding, staffing, and services as of January 1, 1999, to administer the Title IV-D state plan for securing child and spousal support, medical support, and determining paternity. If the director determines that a district attorney has lowered the funding, staffing, or services of the child support enforcement program, the director may withhold part or all state and federal funds, including incentive funds, from the district attorney. Before the director withholds part of or all state and federal funds, including incentive funds, the district attorney shall have the opportunity to demonstrate good cause for any reductions in funding, staffing, or services. Good cause exceptions for reductions shall include, but not be limited to, natural staff attrition and caseload changes.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 480, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17307.

17307. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the Department of Child Support Services has the authority and discretion to prevent, correct, or remedy the effects of changes in the timing of the receipt of child support payments resulting solely from the initial implementation of the federally required State Disbursement Unit. This authority shall not be construed to supplant existing statutory appropriation and technology project approval processes, limits, and requirements.
(b) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that this section is declaratory of existing law.
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 75, Sec. 6. Effective July 12, 2006.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17308.

17308. The director shall assume responsibility for implementing and managing all aspects of a single statewide automated child support system that will comply with state and federal requirements. The director may delegate responsibility to, or enter into an agreement with, any agency or entity that it deems necessary to satisfy this requirement.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17309.

17309. Effective October 1, 1998, the state shall operate a State Disbursement Unit as required by federal law (42 U.S.C. Secs. 654 (27), 654a(g), and 654b).
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 387, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2004.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17310.

17310. (a) The director shall formulate, adopt, amend, or repeal regulations and general policies affecting the purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the department that are consistent with law and necessary for the administration of the state plan for securing child support and enforcing spousal support orders and determining paternity.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all regulations, including, but not limited to, regulations of the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Services, relating to child support enforcement shall remain in effect and shall be fully enforceable by the department. The department may readopt, amend, or repeal the regulations in accordance with Section 17312 as necessary and appropriate.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 480, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17311.5.

17311.5. (a) The department may enter into a trust agreement with a trustee or fiscal intermediary to receive or disburse child support collections. The trust agreement may contain provisions the department deems reasonable and proper for the security of the child support payments. Any trust accounts created by the trust agreements may be held outside the State Treasury.
(b) For the 2012–13 fiscal year only, trust account moneys may be invested in any of the types of securities listed in Section 16430 of the Government Code or alternatives offering comparable security, including, but not limited to, mutual funds and money market funds. This subdivision does not authorize investments or transfers that would interfere with carrying out the objective for which the Child Support Payment Trust Fund was created.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 47, Sec. 1. (SB 1041) Effective June 27, 2012.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17311.7.

17311.7. (a) Any payment required to be made to a family through the State Disbursement Unit shall be made directly to the obligee parent in the child support order requiring the payment, the conservator or guardian of the obligee parent, a special needs trust for the benefit of the obligee parent, the guardian of the person and the estate of the child subject to the order, any caregiver relative having custody or responsibility for the child, pursuant to a written record, or an alternate caregiver to whom the obligee under the child support order directs, in a written record, that payments be made.
(b) For purposes of this section, “alternate caregiver” means a nonrelative caregiver who is designated in writing by the obligee parent to take care of the child for a limited time.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 504, Sec. 6. (AB 3248) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17312.

17312. (a) The department shall adopt regulations, orders, or standards of general application to implement, interpret, or make specific the law enforced by the department. Regulations, orders, and standards shall be adopted, amended, or repealed by the director only in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b) In adopting regulations, the department shall strive for clarity of language that may be readily understood by those administering public social services or subject to those regulations.
(c) The rules of the department need not specify or include the detail of forms, reports, or records, but shall include the essential authority by which any person, agency, organization, association, or institution subject to the supervision or investigation of the department is required to use, submit, or maintain the forms, reports, or records.
(d) The department’s regulations and other materials shall be made available pursuant to the California Code of Regulations and in the same manner as are materials of the State Department of Social Services under the provisions of Section 205.70 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 480, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17314.

17314. (a) Subject to the State Civil Service Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 18500) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the director shall appoint any assistants and other employees that are necessary for the administration of the affairs of the department and shall prescribe their duties and, subject to the approval of the Department of Finance, fix their salaries.
(b) As the director adopts a plan for a local child support agency to assume responsibility for child support enforcement activities in any county served by a district attorney pursuant to Section 17304, the director shall hire a sufficient number of regional state administrators to oversee the local child support agencies to ensure compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations. The regions shall be divided based on the total caseload of each local child support agency. The responsibilities of the regional state administrators shall include all of the following:
(1) Conducting regular and comprehensive site visits to the local child support agencies assigned to their region and preparing quarterly reports to be submitted to the department. The local child support agencies shall fully cooperate with all reasonable requests made by the regional state administrators, including providing all requested data on the local child support agency’s program.
(2) Notifying a local child support agency of any potential or actual noncompliance with any state or federal law or regulation by the agency and working with the local child support agency to develop an immediate plan to ensure compliance.
(3) Participating in program monitoring teams as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 17602.
(4) Participating in meetings with all regional state administrators and the director on at least a monthly basis to promote statewide uniformity as to the functions and structure of the local child support agencies. The regional state administrators may recommend proposals for approval and adoption by the director to achieve this goal.
(5) Responding to requests for management or technical assistance regarding program operations by local child support agencies.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17316.

17316. No person, while holding the office of director, shall be a trustee, manager, director, or other officer or employee of any agency performing any function supervised by the department or any institution that is subject to examination, inspection, or supervision by the department.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17318.

17318. Except as otherwise expressly provided, Part 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, as it may be added to or amended from time to time, shall apply to the conduct of the department.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 3 - Director of Child Support Services › Section 17320.

17320. The department shall coordinate with the State Department of Social Services to avoid the imposition of any federal penalties that cause a reduction in the state’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families grant, payable pursuant to Section 603(a)(1) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Family Code - FAM › DIVISION 17 - SUPPORT SERVICES › CHAPTER 1 - Department of Child Support Services › ARTICLE 4 - Statewide Registry for Child Support › Section 17390.

17390. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is no single statewide database containing statistical data regarding child support orders.
(b) The California Child Support Enforcement System or its replacement may be utilized to provide a single statewide registry of all child support orders in California, including orders for cases under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and all cases with child support orders.
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 474, Sec. 13. (AB 2882) Effective January 1, 2017.)