10/06/2026
🎉 AB 1824 is officially law! 🎉
On September 25, 2026, California Native American Day, Governor Newsom signed AB 1824 (Ramos), Indian Children: Guardianship or Conservatorship Proceedings, which clarifies the Indian Child Welfare Act requirements in the California Probate Code. ✍️ Authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos, AB 1824 was co-sponsored by California Indian Legal Services, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and the California Tribal Families Coalition. The new law improves ICWA compliance in California ensuring key rights and protections for Tribes and families are utilized by all probate practitioners in Indian child custody proceedings.
⚖️ ICWA exists to keep Native children connected to their families, their Tribes, and their communities. In probate court, those protections are inconsistently applied reducing protections for Tribes, parents, Indian custodians and tribal children. AB 1824 changes that. It writes clear ICWA requirements directly into the Probate Code, so courts and petitioners know what the law expects from the very first filing. It also affirms that California is committed to protecting essential tribal relations by recognizing a Tribe's right to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. 👨‍👩‍👧 For Native families and tribes, AB1824 means stronger safeguards for Indian children.
🗓️ AB 1824 takes effect January 1, 2027.
đź”— Read Assemblymember Ramos' news release at the link in our bio.
