Bill Text: CA AB1930 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 1930 (Prior Session Legislation)

CA State Legislature page for AB1930

Bill Title: Foster care.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 910, Statutes of 2018. [AB1930 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB1930-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 1930

CHAPTER 910

An act to amend Section 7911.1 of the Family Code, to amend Sections 1502.45, 1505, 1507.25, 1517, 1517.1, 1517.5, 1522, 1524, 1527, 1527.1, 1527.2, 1527.4, 1527.5, 1534, 1551.3, 1558, and 1558.1 of, and to add Sections 1524.01 and 1551.15 to, the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 212.5, 316.1, 361.2, 361.4, 4094.2, 4096.1, 4096.55, 11363, 11386, 11402.01, 11461, 11462, 11462.001, 11462.01, 11462.011, 11462.015, 11462.021, 11463, 11466.01, 16120, 16500.5, 16504.5, 16519.5, 16519.58, 16519.6, 16601, 16604, 18360, and 18360.10 of, and to add Sections 362.06, 16501.02, 16519.501, and 16519.555 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to foster care.

[ Approved by Governor September 29, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1930, Mark Stone. Foster care.

(1) Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of his or her parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine placement of a dependent child.

This bill would, among other things, make various changes to these procedures relating to the placement of dependent children, including revising a prohibition on placement of a child in a home on an emergency basis pending a criminal records exemption to apply only when the person has been convicted of a misdemeanor conviction of specified crimes and waiving a 14-day notice requirement for the placement of a child outside the county when the child and family team has determined that the identified placement is in the best interest of the child, no member of the child and family team objects to the placement, and the child’s attorney has been informed of the intended placement and has no objection.

(2) Existing law establishes the state-funded Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) program to provide state-funded aid on behalf of a child under 18 years of age and to any eligible youth under 19 years of age who satisfies specified requirements, including that he or she has been residing for at least 6 consecutive months in the approved home of the prospective relative guardian, as specified. Existing law requires termination of eligibility for Kin-GAP upon the termination of the guardianship with a kinship guardian, except if, among other things, there is an alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian who is appointed and is also a kinship guardian, then the alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian shall be entitled to receive Kin-GAP on behalf of the child or youth. Existing law provides an exemption for a new period of six months of placement with the alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian if, among other things, that alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian has been assessed under specified provisions relating to considerations made by a county social worker and court in placing a child with a relative and a state-level criminal records check for emergency placement of a child.

This bill would, in order to provide an exemption to the new period of 6 months of placement requirement, also require that the alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian has been assessed by the county welfare department to determine whether he or she, or any other person over 18 years of age living in the home, has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, as specified. In order to make that determination, the bill would require the county welfare department to require the prospective alternate guardian, coguardian, or successor guardian, and any other person over 18 years of age living in the home, to be fingerprinted and to secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency any criminal record of that person. By imposing new duties on county officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(3) Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to implement a resource family approval process in all counties and with all foster family agencies. Existing law defines a resource family as an individual or family that has successfully met both home environment assessment standards and permanency assessment criteria, which includes a psychosocial assessment, as specified. Existing law requires a resource family to demonstrate, among other things, an understanding of the safety, permanence, and well-being needs of children who have been victims of child abuse and neglect, and the capacity and willingness to meet those needs, as specified.

This bill would make various changes to the resource family approval process by, among other things, revising requirements under which a county may place a child with a resource family applicant who has completed the home environment assessment prior to completion of a permanency assessment, referring to a psychosocial assessment as a family evaluation, clarifying certain hearing proceedings and timelines, and clarifying under which circumstances a resource family approval is required to be forfeited.

Existing law provides that there is no fundamental right to approval as a resource family. Existing law prohibits a county from further review of an application if the applicant had a previous application denial by the department or a county within the preceding year, or if the applicant has had a previous rescission, revocation, or exemption denial or exemption rescission by the department or county within the preceding two years, as specified.

This bill would further provide that a county is authorized to cease any further review of an application if, after notice to the applicant, the applicant fails to cooperate with the application requirements as specified in the written directives or regulations adopted by the department. The bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

Existing law prescribes the responsibilities of the counties and foster family agencies in the resource family approval process, including approving or denying resource family applications, which includes preparing a written evaluation of an applicant’s capacity to foster, adopt, and provide legal guardianship of a child based on all of the information gathered through the resource family application and assessment processes.

This bill would instead refer to that written evaluation as a written report, would require the written report to be confidential, and would authorize the release of the written report only to specified individuals and entities, including, among others, the applicant or resource family and the county child welfare agency or county probation department. The bill would further prohibit the receiving individuals and entities from further disseminating the written report to any individual or entities, other than those authorized.

(4) Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act, provides for the licensing and regulation of community care facilities, which is defined to include foster family homes and foster family agencies, by the State Department of Social Services, and provides that the act does not apply to specified facilities, including any home of a relative caregiver or nonrelative extended family member, as specified, and a resource family. The act requires specified proceedings relating to, among other things, the suspension, revocation, or denial of a license, registration, special permit, or certificate of approval, against a foster family home or certified family home of a foster family agency to be confidential and not open to the public. A violation of the act is a misdemeanor.

This bill would, among other things, expand the confidentiality of the above-mentioned proceedings to include proceedings against resource families. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would additionally provide that the act does not apply to an occasional short-term babysitter, a respite care provider certified by a county, and an alternative caregiver. The bill would authorize any licensed or certified foster parent, approved relative caregiver, or approved nonrelative extended family member, or approved resource family to arrange for occasional alternative care of their foster child and allow an alternative caregiver to provide care and supervision to the foster child, except as specified, and would require those caregivers to use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in determining and selecting an appropriate alternative caregiver.

(5) Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop an intensive services foster care program to serve children with specific needs, including intensive treatment and behavioral needs and specialized health care needs, whose needs for safety, permanency, and well-being require a specially trained intensive services foster care resource family and intensive professional and paraprofessional services and supports in order to remain in a home-based setting or to avoid or exit congregate care in a short-term residential therapeutic program, group home, or out-of-state residential center. Existing law defines an intensive services foster care resource family to include a resource family, and until December 31, 2019, a licensed foster family home or a certified family home of a licensed foster family agency, as specified.

This bill would, until December 31, 2019, additionally include the approved home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member in the definition of an intensive services foster care resource family.

Existing law prescribes specified replacement and ongoing training for intensive services foster care resource families and, for intensive services foster care resource families caring for children with special health care needs, authorizes training hours to be satisfied on an hour-by-hour basis by training specified in other provisions relating to training requirements for the placement of children with special health care needs in foster care.

This bill would instead authorize an intensive services foster care resource parent who is also a health care professional to have those training hours satisfied by the training hours necessary to obtain or maintain his or her licensure or certification.

(6) The bill would require the State Department of Social Services to adopt regulations necessary to implement these provisions, and would authorize the department to implement and administer the changes made by this bill through all-county letters or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.

(7) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

(8) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 1517 and 1517.1 of the Health and Safety Code and Sections 16519.5 and 18360 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by SB 1083 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1083 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code proposed by AB 1437 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1437 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 212.5 and 361.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 3176, and would make an additional conforming change, to be operative only if this bill and AB 3176 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

(9) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for specified reasons.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 7911.1 of the Family Code is amended to read:

7911.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the State Department of Social Services or its designee shall investigate any threat to the health and safety of children placed by a California county social services agency or probation department in an out-of-state group home pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. This authority shall include the authority to interview children or staff in private or review their file at the out-of-state facility or wherever the child or files may be at the time of the investigation. Notwithstanding any other law, the State Department of Social Services or its designee shall require certified out-of-state group homes to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to short-term residential therapeutic programs licensed in California for each child in care regardless of whether he or she is a California placement, by submitting a copy of the required reports to the Compact Administrator within regulatory timeframes. The Compact Administrator within one business day of receiving a serious events report shall verbally notify the appropriate placement agencies and, within five working days of receiving a written report from the out-of-state group home, forward a copy of the written report to the appropriate placement agencies.

(b) Any contract, memorandum of understanding, or agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (b) of Article 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children regarding the placement of a child out of state by a California county social services agency or probation department shall include the language set forth in subdivision (a).

(c) (1) The State Department of Social Services or its designee shall perform initial and continuing inspection of out-of-state group homes in order to either certify that the out-of-state group home meets all licensure standards required of group homes operated in California or that the department has granted a waiver to a specific licensing standard upon a finding that there exists no adverse impact to health and safety.

(2) (A) On and after January 1, 2017, the licensing standards applicable to out-of-state group homes certified by the department, as described in paragraph (1), shall be those required of short-term residential therapeutic programs operated in this state, unless the out-of-state group home is granted an extension pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 11462.04 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or has otherwise been granted a waiver pursuant to this subdivision.

(B) On and after January 1, 2017, the licensing standards applicable to out-of-state group homes certified by the department, as described in paragraph (1), shall include the licensing standards for mental health program approval described in Section 1562.01 of the Health and Safety Code. These standards may be satisfied if the out-of-state group home has an equivalent mental health program approval in the state in which it is operating. If an out-of-state group home cannot satisfy the licensing standards for an equivalent mental health program approval, children shall not be placed in that facility.

(3) In order to receive certification, the out-of-state group home shall have a current license, or an equivalent approval, in good standing issued by the appropriate authority or authorities of the state in which it is operating.

(4) On and after January 1, 2017, an out-of-state group home program shall, in order to receive an AFDC-FC rate, meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 11460 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(5) Any failure by an out-of-state group home facility to make children or staff available as required by subdivision (a) for a private interview or make files available for review shall be grounds to deny or discontinue the certification.

(6) Certifications made pursuant to this subdivision shall be reviewed annually.

(d) A county shall be required to obtain an assessment and placement recommendation by a county multidisciplinary team prior to placement of a child in an out-of-state group home facility.

(e) Any failure by an out-of-state group home to obtain or maintain its certification, as required by subdivision (c), shall preclude the use of any public funds, whether county, state, or federal, in the payment for the placement of any child in that out-of-state group home, pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

(f) (1) A multidisciplinary team shall consist of participating members from county social services, county mental health, county probation, county superintendents of schools, and other members, as determined by the county.

(2) Participants shall have knowledge or experience in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases, and shall be qualified to recommend a broad range of services related to child abuse or neglect.

(g) (1) The department may deny, suspend, or discontinue the certification of the out-of-state group home if the department makes a finding that the group home is not operating in compliance with the requirements of subdivision (c).

(2) Any judicial proceeding to contest the department’s determination as to the status of the out-of-state group home certificate shall be held in California pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(h) The certification requirements of this section shall not impact placements of emotionally disturbed children made pursuant to an individualized education program developed pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) if the placement is not funded with federal or state foster care funds.

(i) Only an out-of-state group home authorized by the Compact Administrator to receive state funds for the placement by a county social services agency or probation department of any child in that out-of-state group home from the effective date of this section shall be eligible for public funds pending the department’s certification under this section.

SEC. 2.

Section 1502.45 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1502.45.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 1502.4, a community care facility licensed as a group home for children pursuant to this chapter may only accept for placement, and provide care and supervision to, a child assessed as seriously emotionally disturbed as long as the child does not need inpatient care in a licensed health facility, as defined in Section 1250.

(2) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) “Health facility” has the meaning set forth in Section 1250.

(B) “Seriously emotionally disturbed” has the same meaning as that term is used in subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(b) If a child described in subdivision (a) is placed into a group home program classified at rate classification level 13 or rate classification level 14 pursuant to Section 11462.015 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the licensee shall meet both of the following requirements:

(1) The licensee shall agree to accept, for placement into its group home program, only children who have been assessed as seriously emotionally disturbed by either of the following:

(A) An interagency placement committee, as described in Section 4096.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or by a licensed mental health professional, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 4096 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(B) A licensed mental health professional, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 4096 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, if the child is privately placed or only county funded.

(2) The program is certified by the State Department of Health Care Services, pursuant to Section 4096.55 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as a program that provides mental health treatment services for seriously emotionally disturbed children.

(c) The department shall not evaluate, or have any responsibility or liability with regard to the evaluation of, the mental health treatment services provided pursuant to this section.

SEC. 3.

Section 1505 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1505.

This chapter does not apply to any of the following:

(a) Any health facility, as defined by Section 1250.

(b) Any clinic, as defined by Section 1202.

(c) Any juvenile placement facility approved by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice, or any juvenile hall operated by a county.

(d) Any place in which a juvenile is judicially placed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 727 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(e) Any child day care facility, as defined in Section 1596.750.

(f) (1) Any facility conducted by and for the adherents of any well-recognized church or religious denomination for the purpose of providing facilities for the care or treatment of the sick who depend solely upon prayer or spiritual means for healing in the practice of the religion of the church or denomination.

(2) A private alternative boarding school or private alternative outdoor program, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1502, that uses prayer or spiritual means as a component of its programming or services in addition to behavioral-based services is subject to licensure under this chapter.

(g) Any school dormitory or similar facility determined by the department, except a private alternative boarding school or private alternative outdoor program, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1502.

(h) Any house, institution, hotel, homeless shelter, or other similar place that supplies board and room only, or room only, or board only, provided that no resident thereof requires any element of care, as determined by the department.

(i) Recovery houses or other similar facilities providing group living arrangements for adults recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction where the facility provides no care or supervision.

(j) Any alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility as defined in Section 11834.02.

(k) Any arrangement for the receiving and care of persons by a relative or any arrangement for the receiving and care of persons from only one family by a close friend of the parent, guardian, or conservator, if the arrangement is not for financial profit and occurs only occasionally and irregularly, as defined by regulations of the department. For purposes of this chapter, arrangements for the receiving and care of persons by a relative shall include relatives of the child for the purpose of keeping sibling groups together.

(l) (1) Any home of a relative caregiver of children who are placed by a juvenile court, supervised by the county welfare or probation department, and the placement of whom is approved according to subdivision (d) of Section 309 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) Any home of a nonrelative extended family member, as described in Section 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, providing care to children who are placed by a juvenile court, supervised by the county welfare or probation department, and the placement of whom is approved according to subdivision (d) of Section 309 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(3) On and after January 1, 2012, any supervised independent living placement for nonminor dependents, as defined in subdivision (w) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who are placed by the juvenile court, supervised by the county welfare department, probation department, Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization that entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and whose placement is approved pursuant to subdivision (k) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(4) A Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that serves only eligible former foster youth over 18 years of age who have exited from the foster care system on or after their 18th birthday, and that has obtained certification from the applicable county in accordance with subdivision (c) of Section 16522 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(m) Any supported living arrangement for individuals with developmental disabilities, as defined in Section 4689 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(n) (1) Any family home agency, family home, or family teaching home, as defined in Section 4689.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that is vendored by the State Department of Developmental Services and that does any of the following:

(A) As a family home approved by a family home agency, provides 24-hour care for one or two adults with developmental disabilities in the residence of the family home provider or providers and the family home provider or providers’ family, and the provider is not licensed by the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Public Health or certified by a licensee of the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Public Health.

(B) As a family teaching home approved by a family home agency, provides 24-hour care for a maximum of three adults with developmental disabilities in independent residences, whether contiguous or attached, and the provider is not licensed by the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Public Health or certified by a licensee of the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Public Health.

(2) This subdivision does not establish by implication either a family home agency or family home licensing category.

(o) Any facility in which only Indian children who are eligible under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (Chapter 21 (commencing with Section 1901) of Title 25 of the United States Code) are placed and that is one of the following:

(1) An extended family member of the Indian child, as defined in Section 1903 of Title 25 of the United States Code.

(2) A foster home that is licensed, approved, or specified by the Indian child’s tribe pursuant to Section 1915 of Title 25 of the United States Code.

(p) (1) (A) Any housing occupied by elderly or disabled persons, or both, that is initially approved and operated under a regulatory agreement pursuant to Section 202 of Public Law 86-372 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1701q), or Section 811 of Public Law 101-625 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 8013), or whose mortgage is insured pursuant to Section 236 of Public Law 90-448 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715z), or that receives mortgage assistance pursuant to Section 221d(3) of Public Law 87-70 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715l), where supportive services are made available to residents at their option, as long as the project owner or operator does not contract for or provide the supportive services.

(B) Any housing that qualifies for a low-income housing credit pursuant to Section 252 of Public Law 99-514 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 42) or that is subject to the requirements for rental dwellings for low-income families pursuant to Section 8 of Public Law 93-383 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f), and that is occupied by elderly or disabled persons, or both, where supportive services are made available to residents at their option, as long as the project owner or operator does not contract for or provide the supportive services.

(2) The project owner or operator to which paragraph (1) applies may coordinate, or help residents gain access to, the supportive services, either directly, or through a service coordinator.

(q) A resource family, as defined in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that has been approved by a county child welfare department or probation department.

(r) A home approved by a licensed private adoption agency pursuant to Section 8704.5 of the Family Code, for the placement of a nondependent child who is relinquished for adoption to the adoption agency.

(s) An occasional short-term babysitter, as described in Section 362.04 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(t) An alternative caregiver, except as specified in Section 16501.02 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(u) Except as specified in subdivision (b) of Section 16501.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, a respite care provider certified by a county.

(v) Any similar facility determined by the department.

SEC. 4.

Section 1507.25 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1507.25.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person described in paragraph (2), who is not a licensed health care professional, but who is trained to administer injections by a licensed health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice, may administer emergency medical assistance and injections for severe diabetic hypoglycemia and anaphylactic shock to a foster child in placement.

(2) The following individuals shall be authorized to administer emergency medical assistance and injections in accordance with this subdivision:

(A) A relative caregiver.

(B) A nonrelative extended family member.

(D) A member of a resource family, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(E) A small family home parent.

(F) A certified parent of a foster family agency.

(G) A designated substitute caregiver of a foster family home, a certified family home, or resource family.

(H) A staff member of a small family home or a group home who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the small family home or group home.

(I) A staff member of a short-term residential therapeutic program, including a children’s crisis residential program, who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the facility.

(J) A staff member of a transitional shelter care facility or a temporary shelter care facility who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the facility.

(3) The licensed health care professional shall periodically review, correct, or update training provided pursuant to this section as he or she deems necessary and appropriate.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person described in paragraph (2), who is not a licensed health care professional, but who is trained to administer injections by a licensed health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice, may administer subcutaneous injections of other medications, including insulin, as prescribed by the child’s physician, to a foster child in placement.

(2) The following individuals shall be authorized to give prescribed injections, including insulin, in accordance with this subdivision:

(A) A relative caregiver.

(B) A nonrelative extended family member.

(D) A member of a resource family, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(E) A small family home parent.

(F) A certified parent of a foster family agency.

(G) In the absence of a foster parent, a designated substitute caregiver in a foster family home, a certified family home, or resource family.

(H) A direct care staff member of a short-term residential therapeutic program, including a children’s crisis residential program, who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the facility.

(3) The licensed health care professional shall periodically review, correct, or update training provided pursuant to this section as he or she deems necessary and appropriate.

(c) For purposes of this section, administration of an insulin injection shall include all necessary supportive activities related to the preparation and administration of the injection, including glucose testing and monitoring.

(d) Notwithstanding Part 5.5 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 9 of, and particularly subdivision (g) of Section 17710 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, a child’s need to receive injections pursuant to this section shall not be the sole basis for determining that the child has a medical condition requiring specialized in-home health care.

(e) This section does not supersede the requirements of Section 369.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, with respect to the administration of psychotropic medication to a dependent child of the court.

SEC. 5.

Section 1517 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

1517.

(a) (1) Pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the State Department of Social Services shall implement a unified, family friendly, and child-centered resource family approval process to replace the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, certifying foster homes by licensed foster family agencies, approving relatives and nonrelative extended family members as foster care providers, and approving guardians and adoptive families.

(2) For purposes of this chapter, a “resource family” means an individual or family that has successfully met both the home environment assessment and the permanency assessment criteria, as set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, necessary for providing care for a child placed by a public or private child placement agency by court order, or voluntarily placed by a parent or legal guardian.

(3) There is no fundamental right to approval as a resource family.

(4) (A) A resource family shall be considered eligible to provide foster care for children in out-of-home placement and shall be considered approved for adoption and guardianship.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a foster family agency may approve a resource family to care for a specific child, as specified in the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(5) For purposes of this chapter, “resource family approval” means that the applicant or resource family successfully meets the home environment assessment and permanency assessment standards adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. This approval is in lieu of a certificate of approval issued by a licensed foster family agency pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1506.

(6) Approval of a resource family does not guarantee an initial, continued, or adoptive placement of a child with a resource family. Approval of a resource family does not guarantee the establishment of a legal guardianship of a child with a resource family.

(7) (A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, a foster family agency shall cease any further review of an application if the applicant has had a previous application denial within the preceding year by the department or county, or if the applicant has had a previous rescission, revocation, or exemption denial or exemption rescission by the department or county within the preceding two years.

(B) If an individual was excluded from a resource family home or facility licensed by the department, a foster family agency shall cease review of the individual’s application unless the excluded individual has been reinstated pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 16519.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or Section 1569.53, subdivision (h) of Section 1558, subdivision (h) of Section 1569.58, or subdivision (h) of Section 1596.8897 of this code.

(C) The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of this section, Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any other law.

(D) For purposes of this section, the date of a previous denial, rescission, revocation, exemption denial or exemption rescission, or exclusion shall be either of the following:

(i) The effective date of a final decision or order upholding a notice of action or exclusion order.

(ii) The date on the notice of the decision to deny, rescind, revoke, or exclude if the notice was not appealed or otherwise constitutes a final decision.

(8) A resource family shall meet the approval standards set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, comply with the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and comply with other applicable federal and state laws in order to maintain approval.

(9) A resource family may be approved by a county child welfare department or probation department pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or by a foster family agency pursuant to this section.

(10) A resource family shall not be licensed to operate a residential facility, as defined in Section 1502, a residential care facility for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2, or a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-threatening illnesses, as defined in Section 1568.01, on the same premises used as the residence of the resource family.

(b) (1) A foster family agency that approves resource families shall comply with the provisions of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, a foster family agency shall require its applicants and resource families to meet the resource family approval standards set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the written directives or regulations adopted thereto, and other applicable laws prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.

(3) A foster family agency shall be responsible for all of the following:

(A) Complying with the applicable provisions of this chapter, the regulations for foster family agencies, the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 16519.5) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the applicable written directives or regulations adopted thereto by the department.

(B) Implementing the requirements for the resource family approval and utilizing standardized documentation established by the department.

(C) Ensuring staff have the education, experience, and core competencies necessary to participate in the assessment and evaluation of an applicant or resource family.

(D) Taking the following actions, as applicable:

(i) (I) Approving or denying resource family applications, including preparing a written report that evaluates the applicant’s capacity to foster, adopt, or provide legal guardianship of a child based on all of the information gathered through the resource family application and assessment processes.

(II) The applicant’s preference to provide a specific level of permanency, including adoption, guardianship, or, in the case of a relative, placement with a fit and willing relative, shall not be a basis to deny an application.

(ii) Rescinding approvals of resource families.

(E) Providing to the department a log of resource families that were approved or had approval rescinded during the month by the 10th day of the following month.

(F) (i) Updating resource family approval annually and as necessary to address any changes that have occurred in the resource family’s circumstances, including, but not limited to, moving to a new home location or commencing operation of a family day care home, as defined in Section 1596.78.

(ii) A foster family agency shall conduct an announced inspection of a resource family home during the annual update, and as necessary to address any changes specified in clause (i), to ensure that the resource family is conforming to all applicable laws and the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(G) Monitoring resource families through all of the following:

(i) Ensuring that social workers who identify a condition in the home that may not meet the resource family approval standards while in the course of a routine visit to children subsequently placed with a resource family take appropriate action as needed.

(ii) Requiring resource families to meet the approval standards set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to comply with the written directives or regulations adopted thereto, other applicable laws, and corrective action plans as necessary to correct identified deficiencies. If corrective action is not completed as specified in the plan, the foster family agency or the department may rescind the approval of the resource family or take other administrative action in accordance with applicable law or the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(iii) Requiring resource families to report to the foster family agency any incidents, as specified in the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(iv) Inspecting resource family homes as often as necessary to ensure the quality of care provided.

(H) Performing corrective action as required by the department.

(I) Submitting information and data that the department determines is necessary to study, monitor, and prepare the report specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(J) (i) Ensuring applicants and resource families meet the training requirements, and, if applicable, the specialized training requirements set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(ii) Nothing in this section shall preclude a foster family agency from requiring training in excess of the requirements in this section.

(4) A foster family agency may cooperatively match a child who is under the care, custody, and control of a county with a resource family for initial placement.

(c) In addition to subdivision (f) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the State Department of Social Services shall be responsible for all of the following:

(1) Requiring foster family agencies to monitor resource families, including, but not limited to, inspecting resource family homes, developing and monitoring resource family corrective action plans to correct identified deficiencies, and rescinding resource family approval if compliance with a corrective action plan is not achieved.

(2) Investigating all complaints regarding a resource family approved by a foster family agency and taking any action it deems necessary. This shall include investigating any incidents reported about a resource family indicating that the approval standard is not being maintained. Complaint investigations shall be conducted in accordance with the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. A foster family agency shall not conduct an internal investigation regarding an incident report or complaint against a resource family that interferes with an investigation being conducted by the department.

(3) Rescinding approvals of a resource family approved by a foster family agency.

(4) Excluding a resource family parent or applicant or other individual from presence in any resource family home or licensed community care facility consistent with the established standard, from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensed community care facility, or prohibiting a licensed community care facility from employing the resource family parent or other individual, if appropriate.

(5) Issuing a temporary suspension order that suspends the resource family approval prior to a hearing, when urgent action is needed to protect a child from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety.

(6) Providing a resource family parent, applicant, excluded individual, or individual who is the subject of a criminal record exemption denial or rescission with due process pursuant to this chapter and subdivisions (g) to (n), inclusive, of Section 16519.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code if the department has ordered a foster family agency to deny a resource family application or rescind the approval of a resource family, has excluded an individual, has denied or rescinded a criminal record exemption, or has taken other administrative action.

(d) (1) The department may enter and inspect the home of a resource family approved by a foster family agency to secure compliance with the resource family approval standards, investigate a complaint or incident, or ensure the quality of care provided.

(2) Upon a finding of noncompliance, the department may require a foster family agency to deny a resource family application, rescind the approval of a resource family, or take other action the department may deem necessary for the protection of a child placed with the resource family.

(A) If the department requires a foster family agency to deny an application, rescind the approval of a resource family, or take another action, the department shall serve an order of denial or rescission, or another order, that notifies the resource family or applicant and foster family agency of the basis of the department’s action and of the resource family’s or applicant’s right to a hearing.

(B) (i) Except as otherwise specified in this section, a hearing conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with Section 1551.

(ii) Notwithstanding the time for hearings set forth in this chapter, a hearing conducted pursuant to this section shall be held within the timelines specified in subdivisions (f) to (h), inclusive, of Section 16519.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(iii) Consistent with subdivision (h) of Section 16519.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and notwithstanding Section 1550.5, proceedings regarding the temporary suspension of a resource family approval shall not include an interim hearing.

(C) The department’s order of the application denial, rescission of the approval, or another action shall remain in effect until the hearing is completed and the department has made a final determination on the merits.

(D) A foster family agency’s failure to comply with the department’s order to deny an application or rescind the approval of a resource family, or another order, by placing or retaining a child in care shall be grounds for disciplining the foster family agency pursuant to Section 1550.

(e) Nothing in this section or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 16519.5) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code limits the authority of the department to inspect, evaluate, investigate a complaint or incident, or initiate a disciplinary action against a foster family agency pursuant to this chapter or to take any action it may deem necessary for the health and safety of children placed with the foster family agency.

(f) (1) The applicable certification and oversight processes shall continue to be administered for foster homes certified by a foster family agency prior to January 1, 2017, or as specified in paragraph (2), until the certification is revoked or forfeited by operation of law pursuant to this subdivision.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a foster family agency shall approve or deny all certified family home applications received on or before December 31, 2016, in accordance with this chapter.

(3) On and after January 1, 2017, a foster family agency shall not accept applications to certify foster homes and shall approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes.

(4) No later than July 1, 2017, each foster family agency shall provide the following information to its certified family homes:

(A) A detailed description of the resource family approval program.

(B) Notification that, in order to care for a foster child, resource family approval is required by December 31, 2019.

(5) The following shall apply to all certified family homes:

(A) A certified family home with an approved adoptive home study, completed prior to January 1, 2018, shall be deemed to be a resource family.

(B) A certified family home that had a child in placement at any time between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, may be approved as a resource family on the date of successful completion of a family evaluation pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(C) A certified family home that provided county-authorized respite services at any time between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, may be approved as a resource family on the date of successful completion of a family evaluation pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(6) A foster family agency may provide supportive services to all certified family homes with a child in placement to assist with the resource family transition and to minimize placement disruptions.

(7) An individual who is approved as a resource family pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (5) shall be fingerprinted pursuant to Section 8712 of the Family Code upon filing an application for adoption.

(8) All certificates of approval for certified family homes shall be forfeited by operation of law on December 31, 2019, except as provided in this paragraph:

(A) All certified family homes that did not have a child in placement or did not provide county-authorized respite services at any time between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, shall forfeit the certificate of approval by operation of law on January 1, 2018.

(B) For certified family homes with a pending resource family application on December 31, 2019, the certificate of approval shall be forfeited by operation of law upon approval as a resource family. If approval is denied, forfeiture by operation of law shall occur on the date of completion of any proceedings required by law to ensure due process.

(g) A foster family agency may obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties, as provided in this section.

(h) A foster family agency may review and discuss with an applicant the data contained in the statewide child welfare database, and provided to the foster family agency by a county, that is pertinent to conducting a family evaluation, as specified in the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

SEC. 5.5.