(a) Except as otherwise ordered by the juvenile court, a county financial evaluation officer, upon satisfactory proof, may reduce, cancel, or remit the costs and charges listed in Sections 903, 903.1, 903.2, 903.3, and 903.45 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or established by order of the juvenile court.
(b) The county financial evaluation officer may, following entry of an order by the juvenile court that a minor person be represented by the public defender or private attorney or be placed or detained in, or committed to, a county institution or other place, make an investigation to determine the moneys, the property, or interest in property, if any, the minor person has, and whether he or she has a duly appointed and acting guardian to protect his or her property interests. The county financial evaluation officer may also make an investigation to determine whether the minor person has any relative or relatives responsible under the provisions of this chapter, and may ascertain the financial condition of that relative or those relatives to determine whether they are financially able to pay those charges.
(c) In any case where a county has expended money for the support and maintenance of any dependent child or other minor person, or has furnished support and maintenance, and the court has not made an order of reimbursement to the county, in whole or in part, as provided by law, or the court has made and subsequently revoked that order, if the dependent child or other minor person or parent, guardian, or other person liable for the support of the dependent child or other minor person acquires property, money, or estate subsequent to the date the juvenile court assumed jurisdiction over the dependent child or minor person, or subsequent to the date the order of reimbursement was revoked, the county shall have a claim for that reimbursement against the dependent child or other minor person or parent, guardian or other person responsible for the support and maintenance. The claim shall be enforced by the county financial evaluation officer or the local child support agency, as the case may be.
(d) (1) This section does not apply to a minor who is adjudged a ward of the juvenile court, who is placed on probation pursuant to Section 725 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who is the subject of a petition that has been filed to adjudge the minor a ward of the juvenile court, or who is the subject of a program of supervision undertaken pursuant to Section 654 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), this section applies to a minor who is designated as a dual status child pursuant to Section 241.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, for purposes of the dependency jurisdiction only and not for purposes of the delinquency jurisdiction.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 678, Sec. 1. (SB 190) Effective January 1, 2018.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018