Z.G.

In 1992, Z.C. was removed from her mother’s custody immediately after being bom. Z.G. (Z.G. or the guardian) was appointed the guardian for Z.C. at a hearing pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26. 1 Years later, after the Alameda County Social Services Agency (the agency) sought a more restrictive placement for Z.C., the juvenile court held a section 366.3 hearing. The court did not terminate the guardianship. Rather, it ordered reunification services to Z.G. to maintain the legal guardianship. The agency agrees that reunification services are appropriate, but challenges the juvenile court’s authority to order them. The *1276 agency claims that, under section 366.3, subdivision (b), the court’s power is limited to recommending that the agency provide services.

We conclude that the agency’s construction of section 366.3, subdivision (b) would have absurd consequences not intended by the Legislature. Under the plain meaning of the statute when considered within the context of juvenile dependency law, section 366.3, subdivision (b) provides the juvenile court with the power to order the social services agency to provide reunification services to a legal…