TRIBAL ALERT!
GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNS SB 678
October 2, 2006
On September 30, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 678 into law. SB 678 will take effect on January 1, 2007. SB 678 codifies the federal requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. §§ 1901, et. seq.) into the California Family, Probate and Welfare & Institutions Codes. This legislation applies in every California court and will impact every tribe in the nation should one of their minor Indian children be involved. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation to benefit Indian tribes, Indian families, and Indian children in California and CILS is proud to have played a key role in its passage.
CILS would like to thank the Pala Band of Mission Indians for sponsoring this legislation and for working with CILS to seek and obtain support from over 50 California tribes, Indian organizations, and individuals. A partial list of supporters includes:
| Advocates for American Indian Children Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO) Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Blue Lake Rancheria Buena Vista Rancheria Bridgeport Indian Colony Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Cahto Tribe, Laytonville Rancheria Cahuilla Band of Indians California Indian Legal Services California Nations Indian Gaming Association California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc. Cedarville Rancheria Cold Springs Rancheria Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community Consolidated Tribal Health Project, Inc. Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians Fernando Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Greenville Rancheria Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Hands United Together Hopland Band of Pomo Indians Inaja-Cosmit Band of Mission Indians Indian Child and Family Preservation Program Karuk Tribe Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians La Posta Band of Mission Indians Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation | Middletown Rancheria Mooretown Rancheria Morongo Band of Mission Indians Native Student Alliance of SDSU North Fork Rancheria Owens Valley Board of Trustees Pala Band of Mission Indians Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California Pauma Band of Mission Indians Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians Redding Rancheria Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians Rincon Band of Luiseño Mission Indians San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Tribe Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueño Indians Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Sherwood Valley Rancheria Smith River Rancheria Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Southern California Indian Center Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association Susanville Indian Rancheria Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians Timbisha Shoshone Tribe Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe Tule River Indian Tribe Tyme Maidu Tribe of Berry Creek Rancheria Tuolomne Me-Wuk Tribal Council United Indian Health Services, Inc. Viejas Tribal Government Yurok Tribe |
| CILS sincerely regrets if any supporting tribe or organization was unintentionally omitted from this list. CILS and the Pala Tribe also wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, the author of SB 678. Senator Ducheny and her staff, particularly Kasey Schimke, worked tirelessly to achieve this victory. Finally, CILS would like to give special acknowledgment to Senior Staff Attorney Maureen Geary, as well as thanks to Joanne Willis-Newton, Kimberly Cluff, Michael Pfeffer, and Jenny Kim for their hard work on this legislation. We recognize and appreciate everyone’s support and patience as the bill made its way through the California Legislature. Enactment of SB 678 is a victory for all Indian children, their families, and for tribes in California and the nation. To view the final version of the Bill, click here (opens in new window). For additional information about SB 678, please visit CILS’ website at www.calindian.org, or contact Maureen Geary, Senior Staff Attorney in CILS’ Santa Rosa Office, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (866) 251-8016. | |
