California Foster Care Legislation Sparks Alarm Over Human Trafficking, Echoing Past Case

A recent tweet by Laura Powell has ignited concerns regarding proposed California legislation concerning "nonrelative extended family members" and their potential role in child placement, drawing a stark parallel to the notorious 2000 human trafficking case involving landlord Lakireddy Bali Reddy. Powell's social media post alleges that the new law would enable individuals to gain legal control over children with "no background checks and no oversight from Child Protective Services."

The comparison harks back to the shocking revelations surrounding Lakireddy Bali Reddy, a prominent Berkeley landlord convicted of human trafficking. In 2000, a 17-year-old girl died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Berkeley apartment owned by Reddy, which led to the unraveling of his extensive criminal enterprise. Federal investigations confirmed Reddy had smuggled dozens of girls from India using fraudulent visas, exploiting them for forced labor and sexual servitude. He was sentenced to 97 months in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution.

According to Powell's tweet, the purported California legislation would allow individuals to assert themselves as "nonrelative extended family members" to gain control over children, bypassing crucial protective measures. The tweet states, "They say this is a response to 'President Trump’s reign of terror on California immigrants.' In other words, they are promoting human trafficking to own the Bad Orange Man." This framing suggests a political motivation behind the alleged legislative push.

However, a review of recent and proposed California legislation concerning nonrelative extended family members (NREFMs) in foster care indicates a different reality. Bills such as AB 2108 and SB 407, which address foster youth safety, missing children, and affirming placements for LGBTQ+ youth, consistently emphasize stringent vetting processes. These processes for resource families, including NREFMs, mandate comprehensive background checks, home environment assessments, and ongoing oversight by county child welfare agencies and the California Department of Social Services.

The legislative efforts aim to strengthen protections for vulnerable children, particularly those in the foster care system, and to prevent exploitation. Existing and proposed frameworks require criminal record clearances, child abuse central index checks, and evaluations of an applicant's capacity to meet a child's needs. The detailed legislative language contradicts the claim that a law would permit control over children without any background checks or CPS oversight.

The tweet by Laura Powell, while highlighting a historical case of human trafficking, presents a controversial perspective on current legislative intentions. It frames the proposed changes within a highly politicized context, suggesting a deliberate weakening of child protection measures. The actual legislative landscape, however, appears focused on enhancing, rather than diminishing, safeguards for children in foster care.