Rule 5.575. Joinder of agencies
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.575
Current text effective January 1, 2014.
#(a) Basis for joinder (§§ 362, 365, 727)
The court may, at any time after a petition has been filed, following notice and a hearing, join in the proceedings any agency (as defined in section 362) that the court determines has failed to meet a legal obligation to provide services to a child or a nonminor or nonminor dependent youth for whom a petition has been filed under section 300, 601, or 602. The court may not impose duties on an agency beyond those required by law.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2014; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
#(b) Notice and hearing
On application by a party, counsel, or CASA volunteer, or on the court's own motion, the court may set a hearing and require notice to the agency or provider subject to joinder.
#(1) Notice of the hearing must be given to the agency on Notice of Hearing on Joinder-Juvenile (form JV-540). The notice must clearly describe the legal obligation at issue, the facts and circumstances alleged to constitute the agency's failure to meet that obligation, and any issues or questions the court expects the agency to address at the hearing.
#(2) The hearing must be set to occur within 30 calendar days of the signing of the notice by the court. The hearing will proceed under the provisions of rule 5.570(h) or (i), as appropriate.
#(3) The clerk must cause the notice to be served on the agency and all parties, attorneys of record, the CASA volunteer, any other person or entity entitled to notice under section 291 or 658, and, if the hearing might address educational or developmental-services issues, the educational rights holder by first-class mail within 5 court days of the signing of the notice.
#(4) Nothing in this rule prohibits agencies from meeting before the hearing to coordinate the delivery of services. The court may request, using section 8 of form JV-540, that agency representatives meet before the hearing and that the agency or agencies submit a written response to the court at least 5 court days before the hearing.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2014; previously amended effective January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2007.)
#History
Rule 5.575 amended effective January 1, 2014; adopted as rule 1434 effective January 1, 2002; previously amended effective January 1, 2006; amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007.
What this rule requires
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The hearing must be set to occur within 30 calendar days of the signing of the notice by the court. The hearing will proceed under the provisions of rule 5.570(h) or (i), as appropriate.
Agencies may meet before the joinder hearing to coordinate services, and the court may request a meeting and a written agency response at least 5 court days before the hearing.
The rule's wording
Nothing in this rule prohibits agencies from meeting before the hearing to coordinate the delivery of services. The court may request, using section 8 of form JV-540, that agency representatives meet before the hearing and that the agency or agencies submit a written response to the court at least 5 court days before the hearing.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The clerk must cause the notice to be served on the agency and all parties, attorneys of record, the CASA volunteer, any other person or entity entitled to notice under section 291 or 658, and, if the hearing might address educational or developmental-services issues, the educational rights holder by first-class mail within 5 court days of the signing of the notice.
Document Filing Requirements
When the court sets a joinder hearing on an application or its own motion and requires notice, the agency must receive form JV-540 describing the legal obligation, alleged failure, and issues for the hearing.
The rule's wording
Notice of the hearing must be given to the agency on Notice of Hearing on Joinder-Juvenile (form JV-540). The notice must clearly describe the legal obligation at issue, the facts and circumstances alleged to constitute the agency's failure to meet that obligation, and any issues or questions the court expects the agency to address at the hearing.
Official text: courts.ca.gov , checked October 19, 2026.