Many thanks to everyone that has supported CTFC’s effort to get Assembly Bill 873, authored by Assemblymember James Ramos, through the California Legislature. On August 26th, AB 873 passed out of its final committee, Senate Appropriations, with a unanimous “yes” vote.
AB 873 seeks to improve compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and remediate inequities that affect tribes and tribal families in the child welfare system by paving the way for California to negotiate agreements with Tribes so that federal child welfare funding can be drawn down to support tribal child welfare systems.
AB 873 is common sense legislation that bring federal funds to the state and also addresses the #1 recommendation of Tribes in the California ICWA Compliance Task Force Report – securing legal counsel for Tribes in state court ICWA cases.
AB 873 is now on the Governor’s desk for signature.
Many Tribes and organizations have already added their voices in support of this bill, but we need Governor Newsom to receive a renewed round of support letters! It only takes a few minutes for your tribe or organization to let the Governor know that you support strengthening tribal child welfare systems. Please take the following 3 steps. 1) Download your model AB 873 support letter 2) Put the letter on your letterhead, edit as needed and sign (electronic signature is fine) 3) Email it to the link and email provided.
Together, with a united voice, we can continue to promote the health, safety and welfare of tribal families.