California SB1234: Dependency: fentanyl use.

What the bill says

An act to amend Sections 328 and 362 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. juveniles Dependency: fentanyl use. Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment…

From the committee substitute text, July 2, 2026:

An act to amend Sections 328 and 362 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. juveniles Dependency: fentanyl use. Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law requires a social worker who has cause to believe that a child meets the requirements to be adjudged a dependent of the court to immediately conduct an investigation to determine whether child welfare services should be offered to the family and whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. Existing law authorizes a court to make any reasonable orders to the parents or guardians of the child as the court deems necessary and proper. This bill would require a social worker, if an investigation involves an allegation that a parent or guardian has used or is under the influence of fentanyl or other opioids, to document whether the risk of fentanyl or opioid exposure to the child was specifically assessed, as specified. The bill would also require a juvenile court that finds a risk of fentanyl use, as specified, …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Marie Alvarado-Gil (R, SD04) · primary sponsor
• Megan Dahle (R, SD01)
• Roger Niello (R, SD06)
• Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R, SD19)
• Tony Strickland (R, SD36)
• Thomas Umberg (D, SD34)
• Juan Alanis (R, AD22)
• Alexandra Macedo (R, AD33)
• Greg Wallis (R, AD47)
• Steven Choi (R, SD37)
• Shannon Grove (R, SD12)
• Brian Jones (R, SD40)

Latest actions

1. August 13, 2026: August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. August 5, 2026: August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
3. July 2, 2026: Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 1, 2026: From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30).
5. June 16, 2026: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
6. June 8, 2026: From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
7. May 18, 2026: Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HUM. S.
8. April 30, 2026: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
9. April 30, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 4111.) Ordered to the Assembly.
10. April 22, 2026: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

Votes

• Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (June 30, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Human Services] (June 16, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB1234 Alvarado-Gil et al. (April 30, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass (April 20, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Human Services] (April 14, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1234?

SB1234 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Dependency: fentanyl use.

What does SB1234 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Sections 328 and 362 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. juveniles Dependency: fentanyl use. Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment…

What is the status of SB1234?

In committee as of August 13, 2026. Latest action: August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. (August 13, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1234?

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R, SD04), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1234?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1234