Welfare and Institutions Code section 319.2

Notwithstanding Section 319, when a child under the age of six years is not released from the custody of the court, the child may be placed in a community care facility licensed as a group home for children or in a temporary shelter care facility, as defined in Section 1530.8 of the Health and Safety Code, only when the court finds that placement is necessary to secure a complete and adequate evaluation, including placement planning and transition time. The placement period shall not exceed 60 days unless a case plan has been developed and the need for additional time is documented in the case plan and has been approved by the deputy director or director of the county child welfare department or an assistant chief probation officer or chief probation officer of the county probation department.

Source: Section 319.2, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=WIC§ionNum=319.­2.­ (updated Jun. 27, 2013; accessed Sep. 14, 2026).

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Verified:
Sep. 14, 2026

§ 319.2's source at ca​.gov