As of April 2026, the Judicial Council of California is focusing on enhancing court accessibility, implementing new SB 450 adoption order requirements, updating juvenile case file access rules (SB 413), and diversifying the bench. Key updates include reviewing mandatory reporting for civil arrests in courts, expanding the “kin-first” approach, and ongoing efforts to increase court interpreter availability.
Key Recent Updates and Actions (April 2026):
- Civil Arrest Reporting: The council is considering new policies regarding the reporting of civil arrests within court facilities.
- Family & Juvenile Law: Revised forms to implement SB 450 (requiring adoption orders to list all parents) and implementing SB 413 to allow attorneys new access to juvenile case files.
- Court Interpreter Services: Efforts continue to improve the availability of interpreters in superior courts.
- Judicial Diversity: The 19th consecutive year of growth for women and people of color on the bench, with women now comprising 43% of judicial officers.
- CARE Act Implementation: Ongoing evaluation of the CARE Act (community assistance, recovery, and empowerment) in superior courts.
- Upcoming Conference: The “Beyond the Bench” conference returns to support professionals in juvenile courts.
Latest Form Changes (March-April 2026):
- CARE Act: Revised CARE-105 (Order for CARE Act Report).
- Civil Harassment: Updated CH-100 (Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders).
- Family Law: Revised FL-300-INFO (Information Sheet for Request for Order).
- Probate: Revised DE-305 (Affidavit Re Real Property of Small Value).
- Gun Violence: Updated GV-030 (Gun Violence Restraining Order After Hearing).
- Court of Appeals: Revised Information Sheet on Waiver of Appellate Court Fees.
- Juvenile Law: Revised Financial Declaration—Juvenile Dependency.
- Courts: Revisions to Fee Waiver forms.
- Criminal: Revisions to Findings and Orders for Pretrial Release or Detention and Retail Crime Restraining Order forms.
Important Notices:
- Traffic Scam Alert: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County has reiterated warnings regarding ongoing traffic scams.
- Judicial Appointments: Governor Newsom continues to nominate new appellate and trial court justices.
Categorized in: Court Notices
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