The Alliance for Children’s Rights is proud to join Assemblymember Zbur and the California Coalition for Youth in sponsoring AB 1967, legislation that strengthens protections for young people seeking safety and removes barriers to extended foster care.
Creating a Clearer Path to Safety
No young person should be left to navigate abuse, neglect, or homelessness alone. When a young person fears for their safety and has the courage to ask for help, the system must be prepared to respond.
Today, young people who seek help from the child welfare system too often encounter inconsistent or delayed responses. Current law does not clearly require timely action when a youth requests protection, leaving some, particularly those experiencing homelessness, family abandonment, or unsafe home environments, without a reliable path to safety. Delays in investigations and appeals can prolong instability, increase the risk of victimization, and push youth into crisis systems that were never intended to serve as long-term supports.
AB 1967 (Zbur) strengthens protections for transition-age youth by ensuring a faster, more responsive child welfare system. It establishes clearer expectations for county child welfare agencies to act promptly, helping connect youth to the safety, stability, and support they need before a crisis escalates.
Supporting Young People Through the Transition to Adulthood
The bill also aligns California law with federal requirements by updating provisions related to adoption and kinship guardianship support. These changes will help youth whose adoptive parents or relative guardians are no longer providing support to re-enter foster care and access critical services, including:
- Housing assistance
- Case management
- Educational support
- Employment resources.
By reducing barriers to extended foster care, AB 1967 helps ensure that young people remain connected to the resources and support they need during critical years of transition.
Take Action
AB 1967 has passed the California Legislature and now awaits Governor Newsom’s signature. He has until September 30 to sign or veto the bill.
Join us in urging the Governor to sign AB 1967 into law and strengthen pathways to safety, stability, and support for young people across California.
Call Governor Newsom: (916) 445-2841
Submit a comment online: gov.ca.gov/contact
Sample Message
Governor Newsom, I urge you to sign AB 1967 (Zbur). When a young person reaches out for help, the child welfare system must respond with urgency, compassion, and accountability. AB 1967 strengthens pathways to safety and support by ensuring young people are not left without a clear response when they need protection most.
