What is this bill about?
AB 2126 removes unnecessary hiring barriers for current and former foster youth seeking to become youth partners.
How does it align with yli’s values?
Youth partners—individuals with lived experience in child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile probation, education, and developmental services—play a critical role in supporting children, youth, and families navigating these systems. Yet today, many qualified applicants face 7-12 month delays due to background check processes for low-level, non-violent offenses that occurred before age 21, delays that prevent youth from accessing meaningful employment and limit support for those who need it most.
AB 2126 will 1) create a clearer and timelier hiring pathway for current and former foster youth wishing to be youth partners, 2) support trauma-informed, rehabilitative approaches by expanding access to peers who have lived experience and understand the system firsthand, and 3) help providers hire more consistently while preserving background checks and existing exclusions for serious violent and child-related offenses.
yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color. We know that everyone gains when youth are given opportunities to mentor and support each other.
This policy aligns with our Health Justice Platform, which envisions a thriving world that supports healthy choices for all people.
What is yli doing about it?
We have just signed this endorsement letter, and we are showing our support on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Who supports this bill?
- California Alliance of Child and Family Services (Co-Sponsor)
- The Children’s Partnership (Co-Sponsor)
- Child Welfare Directors Association (Co-Sponsor)
- The Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (Co-Sponsor)