16501.26. (Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 770, Sec. 3.)

(b) When the child of a nonminor dependent parent is not subject to the jurisdiction of the dependency court, but is in the full or partial custody of the nonminor dependent, a written parenting support plan may be developed between the nonminor dependent parent and an identified responsible adult who has agreed to act as a parenting mentor to the nonminor dependent parent. The plan, if developed, shall be developed between the nonminor dependent parent, the identified responsible adult, and a representative of the county child welfare agency or probation department. Additional input may be provided by any individuals identified by the nonminor dependent parent, the other parent of the child, if appropriate, and other extended family members. The plan shall be developed as soon as is practicably possible. However, if one or more of the above stakeholders are not available to participate in the creation of the plan within the first 30 days of the nonminor dependent parent’s request to enter into the plan, the nonminor dependent parent and the identified responsible adult may enter into a plan for the purposes of fulfilling the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 11465, which may be modified at a later time when the other individuals become available.

(1) The plan shall be designed to preserve and strengthen the nonminor dependent parent family unit, as described in Section 16002.5, to assist the nonminor dependent parent in meeting the goals outlined in Section 16002.5, to assist the nonminor dependent parent in maintaining a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child, and to support the nonminor dependent parent’s educational and employment goals. The plan shall in no way limit the nonminor dependent parent’s legal right to make decisions regarding the care, custody, and control of the child.

(2) The plan shall be written for the express purpose of identifying additional support and assisting the nonminor dependent parent in providing the best care plan for his or her child. The plan shall outline, with as much specificity as is practicable, the ways in which the identified responsible adult will assist the nonminor dependent parent with regard to the child, and identify supportive services to be offered to the nonminor dependent parent by the identified responsible adult. The plan shall be updated, as needed, to account for the changing needs of infants and toddlers, and in accordance with the nonminor dependent parent’s changing school, employment, or other outside responsibilities. The plan shall not conflict with the nonminor dependent parent’s transitional independent living case plan or any visitation orders made by the court. Areas to be addressed by the plan may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Transportation to health care appointments, child care, and school, as appropriate.

(B) Providing child care and babysitting.

(c) Upon completion of the parenting support plan and any subsequent updates to the plan, a copy shall be provided to the nonminor dependent parent and his or her attorney, the identified responsible adult, and the county child welfare agency or probation department.

(d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2015.