California legal term
Foster care in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Foster care” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Foster care” mean in California criminal law?
“Foster care” means residential care provided in any of the settings described in Section 11402 or 11402.01. (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 727.4)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.