AB 1261: Immigration: immigrant youth: access to legal counsel.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, subject to available funding, requires the State Department of Social Services to contract with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations to provide legal services to unaccompanied undocumented minors who are transferred to the care and custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and who are present in this state or are residing with a family member or other sponsor. Existing law requires contracts awarded pursuant to the above-described provision to be executed with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations that meet certain requirements, including having experience representing individuals in removal proceedings and asylum applications.

This bill would, subject to available funding, provide legal counsel to immigrant youth in the State of California. The bill would define immigrant youth. The bill would require the department to allocate funding for these purposes, and would require the department to consider whether federal funding has been made available and dispersed to organizations or relevant projects in the state in determining the amount and allocation of contracts awarded. The bill would require the department to contract with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations that meet the above-described requirements or an office of the public defender that meets certain requirements. The bill would also authorize the department to fund social work services contracted by qualified nonprofit legal services organizations to assist immigrant youth.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 8

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 12, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 665, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 12, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 22, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 10, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 63. Noes 10. Page 3203.).
5. September 9, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 9, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8. Page 2738.).
7. September 8, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. September 5, 2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9. August 29, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
11. August 18, 2025In committee: Referred to suspense file.
12. July 8, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.