Mod 1: California Rules of Court Addressing ICWA Inquiry and Notice

California Rules of Court Addressing ICWA Inquiry and Notice

The following summaries of rules of court address everything we have discussed so far, as well as notice requirements. If you wish to refer to them later, you will find them in the Resources. If you are already familiar with these rules, scroll down and click “Next.”

No.	Title	Summary of Rule of Court
5.480	Application [of rules chapter]	Chapter applies to proceedings in juvenile, probate, and family law in which custody of the child may be granted to someone other than the biological parents/Indian custodian or parental rights may be terminated. Chapter does not apply to voluntary foster care and guardianship placements when the child can be returned to the parent/Indian custodian on demand.
5.481	Inquiry and notice (a) Inquiry	Court, court-connected investigator, and petitioner (i.e., agency or party) have an affirmative and continuing duty to inquire. Petitioner must ask child and parents, Indian custodian, or legal guardians whether the child is or may be an Indian child and must complete ICWA-010(A) and attach it to petition. At first hearing or initiation of a proceeding under ICWA, court must order parent, Indian custodian, or guardian to complete ICWA-020—or, if parental party does not appear, order the entity with inquiry duty to try to find parental party and inform him/her of order to complete form. If any involved person or entity has reason to know that child is or may be an Indian, that person/entity must make further inquiry as soon as practicable by: Interviewing parents, Indian custodian, and extended family to gather information for ICWA-030; Contacting Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for names and contact information of tribes in which the child may be a member or eligible for membership; and Contacting tribes and persons who can be expected to have such information. Some reasons to know child is an Indian child: Someone gave information suggesting child is an Indian child to court, agency, or any party; Child, child’s parents, or Indian custodian has had a residence or domicile in a predominantly Indian community; or Child or child’s family has received Indian services or benefits from tribes or federal government.
	(b) Notice	If it is known or there is reason to know the child in a custody proceeding—including a wardship proceeding when child is in or is likely to enter foster care—is an Indian child, the probation officer, social worker, or petitioner must send ICWA-030 to parent or legal guardian, Indian custodian (if any), and tribe. In probate guardianship/conservatorship proceedings, if petitioner is unrepresented, it is the court that must send ICWA-030. Notice to tribe must be to chairperson unless tribe designated an agent for service. The BIA regularly publishes a list of Designated Agents for Service of ICWA Notice, the primary resource that should be consulted to determine appropriate tribal address. Notice must be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Copies of notices and proof of delivery must be put in court file.
(Rules will continue)

Module 1 Overview