(a)The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall require each person who files an application for adoption to be fingerprinted and shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency any criminal record of that person to determine whether the person has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation. The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency may also secure the persons full criminal record, if any, with the exception of any convictions for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49 of the Penal Code. A federal-level criminal offender record requests request to the Department of Justice shall be submitted with fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for the purposes of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of an out-of-state or federal conviction or arrest of a person or information regarding any out-of-state or federal crimes or arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance pending trial or appeal. The Department of Justice shall forward to the Federal Bureau of Investigation any requests for federal summary criminal history information received pursuant to this section. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and shall compile and disseminate a response to the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency.

(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the criminal record, if any, shall be taken into consideration when evaluating the prospective adoptive parent, and an assessment of the effects of any criminal history on the ability of the prospective adoptive parent to provide adequate and proper care and guidance to the child shall be included in the report to the court.

(c)The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall not give final approval for an adoptive placement in any home in which the prospective adoptive parent or any adult living in the prospective adoptive home has either of the following:

(1)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subdivision, a crime involving violence means an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(2)A felony conviction that occurred within the last five years for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

(d)Any fee charged by a law enforcement agency for fingerprinting or for checking or obtaining the criminal record of the applicant shall be paid by the applicant. The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency may defer, waive, or reduce the fee when its payment would cause economic hardship to prospective adoptive parents detrimental to the welfare of the adopted child, when the child has been in the foster care of the prospective adoptive parents for at least one year, or if necessary for the placement of a special-needs child.

The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a community care facility, foster family home, or a certified family home of a licensed foster family agency. Therefore, the Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999, otherwise known as the California Crime Information Intelligence System (CAL-CII), to be used for applicant fingerprints. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with community care clients may pose a risk to the clients health and safety. An individual shall be required to obtain either a criminal record clearance or a criminal record exemption from the State Department of Social Services before his or her initial presence in a community care facility or certified family home.

(a)(1)Before and, as applicable, subsequent to issuing a license or special permit to any person or persons to operate or manage a community care facility, the State Department of Social Services shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, or for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5 of the Penal Code, subdivision (b) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(2)The criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

(3)Except during the 200304 to the 201617 fiscal years, inclusive, neither the Department of Justice nor the State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license or special permit to operate a facility providing nonmedical board, room, and care for six or less children or for obtaining a criminal record of the applicant pursuant to this section.

(4)The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

(A)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(B)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services may cease processing the criminal record information until the conclusion of the trial.

(C)If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact.

(D)If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(E)An applicant and any other person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice for the purpose of searching the criminal records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the criminal records search required by this subdivision. If an applicant and all other persons described in subdivision (b) meet all of the conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigations criminal offender record information search response for the applicant or any of the persons described in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described in subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction, as prescribed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, or the issuance of a certificate of approval of a certified family home by a foster family agency, the department determines that the licensee or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the department may revoke the license, or require a foster family agency to revoke the certificate of approval, pursuant to Section 1550. The department may also suspend the license or require a foster family agency to suspend the certificate of approval pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1550.5.

(F)The State Department of Social Services shall develop procedures to provide the individuals state and federal criminal history information with the written notification of his or her exemption denial or revocation based on the criminal record. Receipt of the criminal history information shall be optional on the part of the individual, as set forth in the agencys procedures. The procedure shall protect the confidentiality and privacy of the individuals record, and the criminal history information shall not be made available to the employer.

(G)Notwithstanding any other law, the department is authorized to provide an individual with a copy of his or her state or federal level criminal offender record information search response as provided to that department by the Department of Justice if the department has denied a criminal background clearance based on this information and the individual makes a written request to the department for a copy specifying an address to which it is to be sent. The state or federal level criminal offender record information search response shall not be modified or altered from its form or content as provided by the Department of Justice and shall be provided to the address specified by the individual in his or her written request. The department shall retain a copy of the individuals written request and the response and date provided.

(b)(1)In addition to the applicant, this section shall be applicable to criminal record clearances and exemptions for the following persons:

(A)Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff.

(B)Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility or certified family home.

(C)Any person who provides client assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or 1736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant and certified home health aide who will be providing client assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to the community care facility. The facility shall maintain the copy of the certification on file as long as care is being provided by the certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility or certified family home. Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide from a licensed community care facility or certified family home pursuant to Section 1558.

(D)Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the clients.

(E)If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in like capacity.

(F)Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the persons capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility.

(2)The following persons are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)A medical professional as defined in department regulations who holds a valid license or certification from the persons governing California medical care regulatory entity and who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee if all of the following apply:

(i)The criminal record of the person has been cleared as a condition of licensure or certification by the persons governing California medical care regulatory entity.

(ii)The person is providing time-limited specialized clinical care or services.

(iii)The person is providing care or services within the persons scope of practice.

(iv)The person is not a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility.

(B)A third-party repair person or similar retained contractor if all of the following apply:

(i)The person is hired for a defined, time-limited job.

(ii)The person is not left alone with clients.

(iii)When clients are present in the room in which the repair person or contractor is working, a staff person who has a criminal record clearance or exemption is also present.

(C)Employees of a licensed home health agency and other members of licensed hospice interdisciplinary teams who have a contract with a client or resident of the facility and are in the facility at the request of that client or residents legal decisionmaker. The exemption does not apply to a person who is a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility.

(D)Clergy and other spiritual caregivers who are performing services in common areas of the community care facility or who are advising an individual client at the request of, or with the permission of, the client or legal decisionmaker, are exempt from fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed by community care licensing. This exemption does not apply to a person who is a community care licensee or employee of the facility.

(E)Members of fraternal, service, or similar organizations who conduct group activities for clients if all of the following apply:

(i)Members are not left alone with clients.

(ii)Members do not transport clients off the facility premises.

(iii)The same organization does not conduct group activities for clients more often than defined by the departments regulations.

(3)In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (2), the following persons in foster family homes, certified family homes, and small family homes are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)Adult friends and family of the licensed or certified foster parent, who come into the home to visit for a length of time no longer than defined by the department in regulations, provided that the adult friends and family of the licensee or certified parent are not left alone with the foster children. However, the licensee or certified parent, acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 362.04 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, may allow his or her adult friends and family to provide short-term care to the foster child and act as an appropriate occasional short-term babysitter for the child.

(B)Parents of a foster childs friend when the foster child is visiting the friends home and the friend, licensed or certified foster parent, or both are also present. However, the licensee or certified parent, acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, may allow the parent of the foster childs friend to act as an appropriate short-term babysitter for the child without the friend being present.

(C)Individuals who are engaged by any licensed or certified foster parent to provide short-term care to the child for periods not to exceed 24 hours. Caregivers shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in selecting appropriate individuals to act as appropriate occasional short-term babysitters.

(4)In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph (2), the following persons in adult day care and adult day support centers are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)Unless contraindicated by the clients individualized program plan (IPP) or needs and service plan, a spouse, significant other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an attendant or a facilitator for a client with a developmental disability if the attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee. This exemption applies only if the person is visiting the client or providing direct care and supervision to the client.

(B)A volunteer if all of the following applies:

(i)The volunteer is supervised by the licensee or a facility employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption.

(ii)The volunteer is never left alone with clients.

(iii)The volunteer does not provide any client assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene other than washing of hands.

(5)(A)In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph (2), the following persons in adult residential and social rehabilitation facilities, unless contraindicated by the clients individualized program plan (IPP) or needs and services plan, are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1): a spouse, significant other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an attendant or a facilitator for a client with a developmental disability if the attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee. This exemption applies only if the person is visiting the client or providing direct care and supervision to that client.

(B)Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a licensee from requiring a criminal record clearance of any individual exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that the individual has client contact.

(6)Any person similar to those described in this subdivision, as defined by the department in regulations.

(c)(1)Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempted from fingerprinting shall obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g) from the State Department of Social Services prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility. A person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall be fingerprinted and shall sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h). These fingerprint images and related information shall be sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints, and shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee. A licensees failure to prohibit the employment, residence, or initial presence of a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting and who has not received either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g) or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency and the immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprint images and related information shall then be submitted to the Department of Justice for processing. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints.

(2)Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprint images, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided for in subdivision (a). If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprint images. Documentation of the individuals clearance or exemption from disqualification shall be maintained by the licensee and be available for inspection. If new fingerprint images are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services, as required by Section 1522.04, and shall also notify the licensee by mail, within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal history recorded. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548.

(3)Except for persons specified in subdivision (b) who are exempt from fingerprinting, the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted. If it is determined by the State Department of Social Services, on the basis of the fingerprint images and related information submitted to the Department of Justice, that subsequent to obtaining a criminal record clearance or exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), the person has been convicted of, or is awaiting trial for, a sex offense against a minor, or has been convicted for an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, 273ab, 273d, 273g, or 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee to act immediately to terminate the persons employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility. The State Department of Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). If the conviction or arrest was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (A) terminate the persons employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility; or (B) seek an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). The State Department of Social Services shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption from disqualification is rendered. A licensees failure to comply with the departments prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall result in a citation of deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

(4)The department may issue an exemption from disqualification on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (g) if the persons criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria to grant an exemption from disqualification pursuant to this paragraph.

(5)Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (3), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). The individual may seek an exemption from disqualification only if the licensee terminates the persons employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (3).

(d)(1)Before and, as applicable, subsequent to issuing a license or certificate of approval to any person or persons to operate a foster family home or certified family home as described in Section 1506, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall secure California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history information to determine whether the applicant or any person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in subdivision (c) of Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a, of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). The State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall not issue a license or certificate of approval to any foster family home or certified family home applicant who has not obtained both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record clearance or exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g).

(2)The criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons.

(3)Neither the Department of Justice nor the State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval described in this subdivision. The record, if any, shall be taken into consideration when evaluating a prospective applicant.

(4)The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

(A)If the applicant or other persons specified in subdivision (b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting have convictions that would make the applicants home unfit as a foster family home or a certified family home, the license, special permit, certificate of approval, or presence shall be denied.

(B)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority may cease processing the criminal record information until the conclusion of the trial.

(C)For purposes of this subdivision, a criminal record clearance provided under Section 8712 of the Family Code may be used by the department or other approving agency.

(D)To the same extent required for federal funding, an applicant for a foster family home license or for certification as a family home, and any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, shall submit a set of fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, in addition to the criminal records search required by subdivision (a).

(5)Any person specified in this subdivision shall, as a part of the application, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions or arrests for any crime against a child, spousal or cohabitant abuse, or any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and shall submit these fingerprints to the licensing agency or other approving authority.

(6)(A)Subsequent to initial licensure or certification, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall obtain both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record clearance, or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the foster family or certified family home. A foster family home licensee or foster family agency shall submit fingerprint images and related information of persons specified in subdivision (b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h). A foster family home licensees or a foster family agencys failure to either prohibit the employment, residence, or initial presence of a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting and who has not received either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in a citation of a deficiency, and the immediate civil penalties of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. A violation of the regulation adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the foster family home licensee or the foster family agency pursuant to Section 1550. The State Department of Social Services may assess penalties for continued violations, as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprint images shall then be submitted to the Department of Justice for processing.

(B)Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. Within five working days of the receipt of the criminal record or information regarding criminal convictions from the Department of Justice, the department shall notify the applicant of any criminal arrests or convictions. If no arrests or convictions are recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the foster family home licensee or the foster family agency with a statement of that fact concurrent with providing the information to the State Department of Social Services.

(7)If the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application or presence shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g).

(8)If the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority finds after licensure or the granting of the certificate of approval that the licensee, certified foster parent, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license or certificate of approval may be revoked by the department or the foster family agency, whichever is applicable, unless the director grants an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). A licensees failure to comply with the departments prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

(e)(1)The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client.

(2)The department shall not issue a criminal record clearance to a person who has been arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, or for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5, or subdivision (b) of Section 273a, of the Penal Code, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g), prior to the departments completion of an investigation pursuant to paragraph (1).

(3)The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility.

(f)(1)For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action that the State Department of Social Services is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, when the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice, or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code, shall be prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action.

(2)For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state.

(g)(1)Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph with respect to applicants who are foster care providers, after review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license or special permit as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), or for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval as specified in paragraphs (4), (7), and (8) of subdivision (d), or for employment, residence, or presence in a community care facility as specified in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (c), if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of good character as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, an exemption shall not be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for any of the following offenses:

(A)(i)An offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273ab, 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (c) of Section 290, or Section 368, of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(ii)Notwithstanding clause (i), the director may grant an exemption regarding the conviction for an offense described in paragraph (1), (2), (7), or (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, if the employee or prospective employee has been rehabilitated as provided in Section 4852.03 of the Penal Code, has maintained the conduct required in Section 4852.05 of the Penal Code for at least 10 years, and has the recommendation of the district attorney representing the employees county of residence, or if the employee or prospective employee has received a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code. This clause shall not apply to foster care providers, including relative caregivers, nonrelated extended family members, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), in those homes where the individual has been convicted of an offense described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(B)A felony offense specified in Section 729 of the Business and Professions Code or Section 206 or 215, subdivision (a) of Section 347, subdivision (b) of Section 417, or subdivision (a) of Section 451 of the Penal Code.

(C)(i)For a foster care provider applicant, an exemption shall not be granted if that applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) in the applicants home, has a felony conviction for either of the following offenses:

(I)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subparagraph, a crime involving violence means an offense described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(II)A felony conviction, within the last five years, for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

(ii)If a foster care provider applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) in the applicants home has been convicted of any crime other than those listed in clause (i), the department shall determine whether to grant an exemption, in light of all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

(I)The nature of the crime or crimes.

(II)The period of time since the crime was committed.

(III)The number of offenses.

(IV)Circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime indicating the likelihood of future criminal activity.

(V)Activities since conviction, including employment, participation in therapy, education, or treatment.

(VI)Whether the person convicted has successfully completed probation or parole, obtained a certificate of rehabilitation, or been granted a pardon by the Governor.

(VII)Any character references or other evidence submitted by the applicant.

(2)The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1558.

(h)(1)For purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal record clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another facility licensed by a state licensing district office. The request shall be in writing to the State Department of Social Services, and shall include a copy of the persons drivers license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the State Department of Social Services shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred.

(2)The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal record clearances in its active files for a minimum of three years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal record clearance to be transferred.

(3)The following shall apply to a criminal record clearance or exemption from the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority:

(A)A county office with department-delegated licensing authority may accept a clearance or exemption from the department.

(B)The department may accept a clearance or exemption from any county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

(C)A county office with department-delegated licensing authority may accept a clearance or exemption from any other county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

(4)With respect to notifications issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally processed by the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority, all of the following shall apply:

(A)The Department of Justice shall process a request from the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority to receive the notice only if all of the following conditions are met:

(i)The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

(ii) The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type for which the original clearance was obtained.

(iii)The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the department and the Department of Justice.

(B)(i)On or before January 7, 2005, the department shall notify the Department of Justice of all county offices that have department-delegated licensing authority.

(ii)The department shall notify the Department of Justice within 15 calendar days of the date on which a new county office receives department-delegated licensing authority or a countys delegated licensing authority is rescinded.

(C)The Department of Justice shall charge the department, a county office with department-delegated licensing authority, or a county child welfare agency with criminal record clearance and exemption authority, a fee for each time a request to substitute the recipient agency is received for purposes of this paragraph. This fee shall not exceed the cost of providing the service.

(5)(A)A county child welfare agency with authority to secure clearances pursuant to Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to grant exemptions pursuant to Section 361.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code may accept a clearance or exemption from another county with criminal record and exemption authority pursuant to these sections.

(B)With respect to notifications issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally processed by a county child welfare agency with criminal record clearance and exemption authority, the Department of Justice shall process a request from a county child welfare agency with criminal record and exemption authority to receive the notice only if all of the following conditions are met:

(i)The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

(ii)The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type for which the original clearance was obtained.

(iii)The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the State Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice.

(i)The full criminal record obtained for purposes of this section may be used by the department or by a licensed adoption agency as a clearance required for adoption purposes.

(j)If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on written notification from the state department that the employee has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for employment under Section 1558, the licensee or facility shall not incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result of that denial or termination.

(k)The State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the costs of processing electronic fingerprint images and related information.

(l)Amendments to this section made in the 1999 portion of the 19992000 Regular Session shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1999 portion of the 19992000 Regular Session, except that those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be implemented 90 days after the effective date of that act.

(a)Upon delivery to the social worker of a child who has been taken into temporary custody under this article, the social worker shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the child and the facts surrounding the childs being taken into custody and attempt to maintain the child with the childs family through the provision of services. The social worker shall immediately release the child to the custody of the childs parent, guardian, or responsible relative, regardless of the parents, guardians, or relatives immigration status, unless one or more of the following conditions exist:

(1)The child has no parent, guardian, or responsible relative; or the childs parent, guardian, or responsible relative is not willing to provide care for the child.

(2)Continued detention of the child is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the child and there are no reasonable means by which the child can be protected in his or her home or the home of a responsible relative.

(3)There is substantial evidence that a parent, guardian, or custodian of the child is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court.

(4)The child has left a placement in which he or she was placed by the juvenile court.

(5)The parent or other person having lawful custody of the child voluntarily surrendered physical custody of the child pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code and did not reclaim the child within the 14-day period specified in subdivision (e) of that section.

(b)In any case in which there is reasonable cause for believing that a child who is under the care of a physician and surgeon or a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility and cannot be immediately moved and is a person described in Section 300, the child shall be deemed to have been taken into temporary custody and delivered to the social worker for the purposes of this chapter while the child is at the office of the physician and surgeon or the medical facility.

(c)If the child is not released to his or her parent or guardian, the child shall be deemed detained for purposes of this chapter.

(d)(1)If an able and willing relative, as defined in Section 319, or an able and willing nonrelative extended family member, as defined in Section 362.7, is available and requests temporary placement of the child pending the detention hearing, or after the detention hearing and pending the dispositional hearing conducted pursuant to Section 358, the county welfare department shall initiate an assessment of the relatives or nonrelative extended family members suitability, which shall include an in-home inspection to assess the safety of the home and the ability of the relative or nonrelative extended family member to care for the childs needs, and a consideration of the results of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16504.5 and a check of allegations of prior child abuse or neglect concerning the relative or nonrelative extended family member and other adults in the home. A relatives identification card from a foreign consulate or foreign passport shall be considered a valid form of identification for conducting a criminal records check and fingerprint clearance check under this subdivision. Upon completion of this assessment, the child may be placed in the assessed home. For purposes of this paragraph, and except for the criminal records check conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16504.5, the standards used to determine suitability shall be the same standards set forth in the regulations for the licensing of foster family homes.

(2)Immediately following the placement of a child in the home of a relative or a nonrelative extended family member, the county welfare department shall evaluate and approve or deny the home for purposes of AFDC-FC eligibility pursuant to Section 11402. The standards used to evaluate and grant or deny approval of the home of the relative and of the home of a nonrelative extended family member, as described in Section 362.7, shall be the same standards set forth in regulations for the licensing of foster family homes which prescribe standards of safety and sanitation for the physical plant and standards for basic personal care, supervision, and services provided by the caregiver.

(3)To the extent allowed by federal law, as a condition of receiving funding under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.), if a relative or nonrelative extended family member meets all other conditions for approval, except for the receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigations criminal history information for the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and other adults in the home, as indicated, the county welfare department may approve the home and document that approval, if the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and each adult in the home, has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after the approval has been granted, the department determines that the relative or nonrelative extended family member or other adult in the home has a criminal record, the approval may be terminated.

(4)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of any of the following crimes, the child shall not be placed in the home:

(A)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, or a crime against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subdivision, a crime involving violence means an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(B)A felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense within the last five years.

(6)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of any crime other than a crime described in paragraph (4), (4) or (5), the county social worker and the court shall consider the criminal history in determining whether the placement is in the best interests of the child.

(e)(1)If the child is removed, the social worker shall conduct, within 30 days, an investigation in order to identify and locate all grandparents, parents of a sibling of the child, if the parent has legal custody of the sibling, adult siblings, and other adult relatives of the child, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 319, including any other adult relatives suggested by the parents. As used in this section, sibling means a person related to the identified child by blood, adoption, or affinity through a common legal or biological parent. The social worker shall provide to all adult relatives who are located, except when that relatives history of family or domestic violence makes notification inappropriate, within 30 days of removal of the child, written notification and shall also, whenever appropriate, provide oral notification, in person or by telephone, of all the following information:

(A)The child has been removed from the custody of his or her parent or parents, or his or her guardians.

(B)An explanation of the various options to participate in the care and placement of the child and support for the childs family, including any options that may be lost by failing to respond. The notice shall provide information about providing care for the child while the family receives reunification services with the goal of returning the child to the parent or guardian, how to become a foster family home or approved relative or nonrelative extended family member as defined in Section 362.7, and additional services and support that are available in out-of-home placements. The notice shall also include information regarding the Kin-GAP Program (Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9), the CalWORKs program for approved relative caregivers (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9), adoption, and adoption assistance (Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4 of Division 9), as well as other options for contact with the child, including, but not limited to, visitation. The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California and other interested stakeholders, shall develop the written notice.

(2)The social worker shall also provide the adult relatives notified pursuant to paragraph (1) with a relative information form to provide information to the social worker and the court regarding the needs of the child. The form shall include a provision whereby the relative may request the permission of the court to address the court, if the relative so chooses. The Judicial Council, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services and the County Welfare Directors Association of California, shall develop the form.

(3)The social worker shall use due diligence in investigating the names and locations of the relatives pursuant to paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, asking the child in an age-appropriate manner about relatives important to the child, consistent with the childs best interest, and obtaining information regarding the location of the childs adult relatives. Each county welfare department shall create and make public a procedure by which relatives of a child who has been removed from his or her parents or guardians may identify themselves to the county welfare department and be provided with the notices required by paragraphs (1) and (2).

(a)Prior to placing a child in the home of a relative, or the home of any prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the county social worker shall visit the home to ascertain the appropriateness of the placement.

(b)(1)Whenever a child may be placed in the home of a relative, or the home of any prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the court or county social worker placing the child shall cause a state-level criminal records check to be conducted by an appropriate government agency through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) pursuant to Section 16504.5. The criminal records check shall be conducted with regard to all persons over 18 years of age living in the home, and on any other person over 18 years of age, other than professionals providing professional services to the child, known to the placing entity who may have significant contact with the child, including any person who has a familial or intimate relationship with any person living in the home. A criminal records check may be conducted pursuant to this section on any person over 14 years of age living in the home who the county social worker believes may have a criminal record. Within 10 calendar days following the criminal records check conducted through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the social worker shall ensure that a fingerprint clearance check of the relative and any other person whose criminal record was obtained pursuant to this subdivision is initiated through the Department of Justice to ensure the accuracy of the criminal records check conducted through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System and shall review the results of any criminal records check to assess the safety of the home. The Department of Justice shall forward fingerprint requests for federal-level criminal history information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to this section.

(2)An identification card from a foreign consulate or foreign passport shall be considered a valid form of identification for conducting a criminal records check and fingerprint clearance check under this subdivision and under subdivision (c).

(c)Whenever a child may be placed in the home of a relative, or a prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the county social worker shall cause a check of the Child Abuse Central Index pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 11170 of the Penal Code to be requested from the Department of Justice. The Child Abuse Central Index check shall be conducted on all persons over 18 years of age living in the home. For any application received on or after January 1, 2008, if any person in the household is 18 years of age or older and has lived in another state in the preceding five years, the county social worker shall check the other states child abuse and neglect registry to the extent required by federal law.

(d)(1)If the results of the California and federal criminal records check indicates that the person has no criminal record, the county social worker and court may consider the home of the relative, prospective guardian, or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent for placement of a child.

(2)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of any of the following crimes, the child shall not be placed in the home:

(A)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, a crime against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subdivision, a crime involving violence means an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(B)A felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense within the last five years.

(4)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of any other crime, the county social worker and the court shall consider the criminal history in determining whether the placement is in the best interests of the child in light of all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A)The nature of the crimes crime or crimes.

(B)The length of time since the crime was committed.

(C)The number of offenses.

(D)Circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime indicating the likelihood of future criminal activity.

(E)Activities since conviction, including employment, participation in therapy, education, or treatment.

(F)Whether the person convicted has successfully completed probation or parole, obtained a certificate of rehabilitation, or been granted a pardon by the Governor.

(G)Any character references or other evidence submitted by the applicant.

(H)Whether the person convicted demonstrated honesty and truthfulness concerning the crime or crimes during the application and approval process.

(e)Nothing in this section shall preclude a county from conducting a criminal background check that the county is otherwise authorized to conduct using fingerprints.

(a)The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with county child welfare agencies, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, shall implement a unified, family friendly, and child-centered resource family approval process to replace the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, approving relatives and nonrelative extended family members as foster care providers, and approving adoptive families.

(b)(1)Counties shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis as early implementation counties for the purpose of participating in the initial development of the approval process. Early implementation counties shall be selected according to criteria developed by the department in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association. In selecting the five early implementation counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location.

(2)Additional counties may participate in the early implementation of the program upon authorization by the department.

(c)(1)For the purposes of this chapter, resource family means an individual or couple that a participating county or foster family agency, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 11400 of this code, and paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, determines to have successfully met both the home environment assessment standards and the permanency assessment criteria adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) necessary for providing care for a related or unrelated child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department. A resource family shall demonstrate all of the following:

(A)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, including the need for protection, and the willingness to make use of support resources offered by the agency, or a support structure in place, or both.

(B)An understanding of childrens needs and development, effective parenting skills or knowledge about parenting, and the capacity to act as a reasonable, prudent parent in day-to-day decisionmaking.

(C)An understanding of his or her role as a resource family and the capacity to work cooperatively with the agency and other service providers in implementing the childs case plan.

(D)The financial ability within the household to ensure the stability and financial security of the family.

(E)An ability and willingness to provide a family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences that serves the needs of the child.

(2)Subsequent to meeting the criteria set forth in this subdivision and designation as a resource family, a resource family shall be considered eligible to provide foster care for related and unrelated children in out-of-home placement, shall be considered approved for adoption or guardianship, and shall not have to undergo any additional approval or licensure as long as the family lives in a county participating in the program.

(3)Resource family approval means that the applicant successfully meets the home environment assessment and permanency assessment standards. This approval is in lieu of the existing foster care license, relative or nonrelative extended family member approval, and the adoption home study approval.

(4)Approval of a resource family does not guarantee an initial or continued placement of a child with a resource family.

(5)Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, the department or county may cease any further review of an application if the applicant has had a previous application denial within the preceding year, or if the applicant has had a previous rescission, revocation, or exemption denial or rescission by the department or county within the preceding two years. However, the department or county may continue to review an application if it has determined that the reasons for the previous denial, rescission, or revocation were due to circumstances and conditions that either have been corrected or are no longer in existence. If an individual was excluded from a resource family home or facility licensed by the department, the department or county shall cease review of the individuals application unless the excluded individual has been reinstated pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code. The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of this section or any other law.

(d)Prior to implementation of this program, the department shall adopt standards pertaining to the home environment and permanency assessments of a resource family.

(1)Resource family home environment assessment standards shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)(i)Criminal records clearance of all adults residing in, or regularly present in, the home, pursuant to Section 8712 of the Family Code, utilizing a check of the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI), and receipt of a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal offender record information search response. The criminal history information shall include subsequent notifications pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

(ii)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of either of the following crimes, home approval shall be denied. denied:

(I)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, or a crime against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subdivision, a crime involving violence means an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(II)A felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense within the last five years.

(iv)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of any crime other than a crime described in clause (ii), (ii) or (iii), the criminal history shall be considered in the psychosocial assessment conducted pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) in determining whether the placement is in the best interests of the child, to approve the home, in light of all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

(I)The nature of the crimes crime or crimes.

(II)The length of time since the crime was committed.

(III)The number of offenses.

(IV)Circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime indicating the likelihood of future criminal activity.

(V)Activities since conviction, including employment, participation in therapy, education, or treatment.

(VI)Whether the person convicted has successfully completed probation or parole, obtained a certificate of rehabilitation, or been granted a pardon by the Governor.

(VII)Any character references or other evidence submitted by the applicant.

(VIII)Whether the person convicted demonstrated honesty and truthfulness concerning the crime or crimes during the application and approval process.

(v)The determination whether to approve the home pursuant to clause (iii) (iv) shall be reviewed by county staff at the supervisory or administrative level, for compliance with the approval standards set forth in this subdivision. This subdivision does not affect the right of an applicant to request an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 10950.

(B)Consideration of any substantiated allegations of child abuse or neglect against either the applicant or any other adult residing in the home.

(i)For public foster family agencies approving resource families, the criminal records clearance process set forth in subparagraph (A) shall be utilized.

(ii)For private foster family agencies approving resource families, the criminal records clearance process set forth in subparagraph (A) shall be utilized, but the Department of Justice shall disseminate a fitness determination resulting from the federal criminal offender record information search.

(C)Buildings and grounds and storage requirements set forth in Sections 89387 and 89387.2 of Article 3 of Chapter 9.5 of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(D)In addition to the foregoing requirements, the resource family home environment assessment standards shall also require the following:

(i)That the applicant demonstrate an understanding about the rights of children in care and his or her responsibility to safeguard those rights.

(ii)That the total number of children residing in the home of a resource family shall be no more than the total number of children the resource family can properly care for, regardless of status, and shall not exceed six children, unless exceptional circumstances that are documented in the foster childs case file exist to permit a resource family to care for more children, including, but not limited to, the need to place siblings together.

(iii)That the applicant understands his or her responsibilities with respect to acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, and maintaining the least restrictive environment that serves the needs of the child.

(2)The resource family permanency assessment standards shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)The applicant shall complete caregiver training.

(B)(i)The applicant shall complete a psychosocial assessment, which shall include the results of a risk assessment.

(ii)A caregiver risk assessment shall include, but shall not be limited to, physical and mental health, alcohol and other substance use and abuse, family and domestic violence, and the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(C)The applicant shall complete any other activities that relate to a resource familys ability to achieve permanency with the child.

(e)(1)A child may be placed with a resource family that has successfully completed the home environment assessment prior to completion of a permanency assessment only if a compelling reason for the placement exists based on the needs of the child.

(2)The permanency assessment shall be completed within 90 days of the childs placement in the home, unless good cause exists based upon the needs of the child.

(3)If additional time is needed to complete the permanency assessment, the county shall document the extenuating circumstances for the delay and generate a timeframe for the completion of the permanency assessment.

(4)The county shall report to the department on a quarterly basis the number of families with a child in an approved home whose permanency assessment goes beyond 90 days and summarize the reasons for these delays.

(5)A child may be placed with a relative, as defined in Section 319, or nonrelative extended family member, as defined in Section 362.7, prior to applying as a resource family only on an emergency basis if all of the following requirements are met:

(A)Consideration of the results of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to Section 16504.5 of the relative or nonrelative extended family member and of every other adult in the home.

(B)Consideration of the results of the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) consistent with Section 1522.1 of the Health and Safety Code of the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and of every other adult in the home.

(C)The home and grounds are free of conditions that pose undue risk to the health and safety of the child.

(D)For any placement made pursuant to this paragraph, the county shall initiate the home environment assessment no later than five business days after the placement, which shall include a face-to-face interview with the resource family applicant and child.

(E)For any placement made pursuant to this paragraph, AFDC-FC funding shall not be available until approval of the resource family has been completed.

(F)Any child placed under this section shall be afforded all the rights set forth in Section 16001.9.

(f)The State Department of Social Services shall be responsible for all of the following:

(1)Selecting early implementation counties, based on criteria established by the department in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association.

(2)Establishing timeframes for participating counties to submit an implementation plan, enter into terms and conditions for participation in the program, train appropriate staff, and accept applications from resource families.

(3)Entering into terms and conditions for participation in the program by counties.

(4)Administering the program through the issuance of written directives that shall have the same force and effect as regulations. Any directive affecting Article 1 (commencing with Section 700) of Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the California Code of Regulations shall be approved by the Department of Justice. The directives shall be exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340)) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(5)Approving and requiring the use of a single standard for resource family approval.

(6)Adopting and requiring the use of standardized documentation for the home environment and permanency assessments of resource families.

(7)Requiring counties to monitor resource families including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A)Investigating complaints of resource families.

(B)Developing and monitoring resource family corrective action plans to correct identified deficiencies and to rescind resource family approval if compliance with corrective action plans is not achieved.

(8)Ongoing oversight and monitoring of county systems and operations including all of the following:

(A)Reviewing the countys implementation of the program.

(B)Reviewing an adequate number of approved resource families in each participating county to ensure that approval standards are being properly applied. The review shall include case file documentation, and may include onsite inspection of individual resource families. The review shall occur on an annual basis, and more frequently if the department becomes aware that a participating county is experiencing a disproportionate number of complaints against individual resource family homes.

(C)Reviewing county reports of serious complaints and incidents involving approved resource families, as determined necessary by the department. The department may conduct an independent review of the complaint or incident and change the findings depending on the results of its investigation.

(D)Investigating unresolved complaints against participating counties.

(E)Requiring corrective action of counties that are not in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the program.

(9)Updating the Legislature on the early implementation phase of the program, including the status of implementation, successes, and challenges during the early implementation phase, and relevant available data, including resource family satisfaction.

(10)Implementing due process procedures, including all of the following:

(A)Providing a statewide fair hearing process for denials, rescissions, or exclusion actions.

(B)Amending the departments applicable state hearing procedures and regulations or using the Administrative Procedure Act, when applicable, as necessary for the administration of the program.

(g)Counties participating in the program shall be responsible for all of the following:

(1)Submitting an implementation plan, entering into terms and conditions for participation in the program, consulting with the county probation department in the development of the implementation plan, training appropriate staff, and accepting applications from resource families within the timeframes established by the department.

(2)Complying with the written directives pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (f).

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

(4)Ensuring staff have the education and experience necessary to complete the home environment and psychosocial assessments competently.

(5)(A)Taking the following actions, as applicable:

(i)Approving or denying resource family applications.

(ii)Rescinding approvals of resource families.

(iii)Excluding a resource family parent or other individual from presence in a resource family home, consistent with the established standard.

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

(B)Providing a resource family parent, applicant, or excluded individual requesting review of that decision with due process pursuant to the departments statutes, regulations, and written directives.

(C)Notifying the department of any decisions denying a resource familys application or rescinding the approval of a resource family, excluding an individual, or taking other administrative action.

(D)Issuing a temporary suspension order that suspends the resource family approval prior to a hearing, when urgent action is needed to protect a child or nonminor dependent who is or may be placed in the home from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety.

(6)Updating resource family approval annually.

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

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

(B)Requiring resource families to comply with corrective action plans as necessary to correct identified deficiencies. If corrective action is not completed as specified in the plan, the county may rescind the resource family approval.

(C)Requiring resource families to report to the county child welfare agency any incidents consistent with the reporting requirements for licensed foster family homes.

(8)Investigating all complaints against a resource family and taking action as necessary. This shall include investigating any incidents reported about a resource family indicating that the approval standard is not being maintained.

(A)The childs social worker shall not conduct the formal investigation into the complaint received concerning a family providing services under the standards required by subdivision (d). To the extent that adequate resources are available, complaints shall be investigated by a worker who did not initially conduct the home environment or psychosocial assessments.

(B)Upon conclusion of the complaint investigation, the final disposition shall be reviewed and approved by a supervising staff member.

(C)The department shall be notified of any serious incidents or serious complaints or any incident that falls within the definition of Section 11165.5 of the Penal Code. If those incidents or complaints result in an investigation, the department shall also be notified as to the status and disposition of that investigation.

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

(10)Assessing county performance in related areas of the California Child and Family Services Review System, and remedying problems identified.

(11)Submitting information and data that the department determines is necessary to study, monitor, and prepare the report specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (f).

(12)Ensuring resource family applicants and resource families have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to support children in foster care by completing caregiver training. The training should include a curriculum that supports the role of a resource family in parenting vulnerable children and should be ongoing in order to provide resource families with information on trauma-informed practices and requirements and other topics within the foster care system.

(13)Ensuring that a resource family applicant completes a minimum of 12 hours of preapproval training. The training shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following courses:

(A)An overview of the child protective and probation systems.

(B)The effects of trauma, including grief and loss, and child abuse and neglect, on child development and behavior, and methods to behaviorally support children impacted by that trauma or child abuse and neglect.

(C)Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.

(D)Health issues in foster care.

(E)Accessing services and supports to address education needs, physical, mental, and behavioral health, and substance use disorders, including culturally relevant services.

(F)The rights of a child in foster care, and the resource familys responsibility to safeguard those rights, including the right to have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.

(G)Cultural needs of children, including instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity, and related best practices for providing adequate care for children or youth across diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children or youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

(H)Basic instruction on existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school.

(I)Permanence, well-being, and education needs of children.

(J)Child and adolescent development, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.

(K)The role of resource families, including working cooperatively with the child welfare or probation agency, the childs family, and other service providers implementing the case plan.

(L)The role of a resource family on the child and family team as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501.

(M)A resource familys responsibility to act as a reasonable and prudent parent, and to provide a family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences and that serves the needs of the child.

(N)An overview of the specialized training identified in subdivision (h).

(14)Ensuring approved resource families complete a minimum of eight training hours annually, a portion of which shall be from one or more of the topics listed in paragraph (13).

(h)In addition to any training required by this section, a resource family may be required to receive specialized training, as relevant, for the purpose of preparing the resource family to meet the needs of a particular child in care. This training may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to commercially sexually exploited children.

(2)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children.

(3)Understanding the requirements and best practices regarding psychotropic medications, including, but not limited to, court authorization, benefits, uses, side effects, interactions, assistance with self-administration, misuse, documentation, storage, and metabolic monitoring of children prescribed psychotropic medications.

(4)Understanding the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), its historical significance, the rights of children covered by the act, and the best interests of Indian children, including the role of the caregiver in supporting culturally appropriate, child-centered practices that respect Native American history, culture, retention of tribal membership and connection to the tribal community and traditions.

(5)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to nonminor dependents.

(6)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to children with special health care needs.

(7)Understanding the different permanency options and the services and benefits associated with the options.

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

(j)(1)Approved relatives and nonrelative extended family members, licensed foster family homes, or approved adoptive homes that have completed the license or approval process prior to full implementation of the program shall not be considered part of the program. The otherwise applicable assessment and oversight processes shall continue to be administered for families and facilities not included in the program.

(2)Upon implementation of the program in a county, that county may not accept new applications for the licensure of foster family homes, the approval of relative and nonrelative extended family members, or the approval of prospective adoptive homes.

(k)The department may waive regulations that pose a barrier to implementation and operation of this program. The waiver of any regulations by the department pursuant to this section shall apply to only those counties or foster family agencies participating in the program and only for the duration of the program.

(l)Resource families approved under initial implementation of the program, who move within an early implementation county or who move to another early implementation county, shall retain their resource family status if the new building and grounds, outdoor activity areas, and storage areas meet home environment standards. The State Department of Social Services or early implementation county may allow a program-affiliated individual to transfer his or her subsequent arrest notification if the individual moves from one early implementation county to another early implementation county, as specified in subdivision (g) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code.

(m)(1)The approval of a resource family who moves to a nonparticipating county remains in full force and effect pending a determination by the county approval agency or the department, as appropriate, whether the new building and grounds and storage areas meet applicable standards, and whether all adults residing in the home have a criminal records clearance pursuant to Section 8712 of the Family Code. approval or exemption pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of, or subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of, Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code. Upon this determination, the nonparticipating county shall either approve the family as a relative or nonrelative extended family member, as applicable, or the department shall license the family as a foster family home.

(2)Subject to the requirements in paragraph (1), the family shall continue to be approved for guardianship and adoption. Nothing in this subdivision shall limit a county or adoption agency from determining that the family is not approved for guardianship or adoption based on changes in the familys circumstances or psychosocial assessment.

(3)A program-affiliated individual who moves to a nonparticipating county may not transfer his or her subsequent arrest notification from a participating county to the nonparticipating county.

(n)Implementation of the program shall be contingent upon the continued availability of federal Social Security Act Title IV-E (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670) funds for costs associated with placement of children with resource families assessed and approved under the program.

(o)A child placed with a resource family shall be eligible for AFDC-FC payments. A resource family, or a foster family agency pursuant to subdivisions (s) and (t), shall be paid an AFDC-FC rate pursuant to Sections 11460, 11461, and 11463. Sharing ratios for nonfederal expenditures for all costs associated with activities related to the approval of relatives and nonrelative extended family members shall be in accordance with Section 10101.

(p)The Department of Justice shall charge fees sufficient to cover the cost of initial or subsequent criminal offender record information and Child Abuse Central Index searches, processing, or responses, as specified in this section.

(q)Except as provided, approved resource families under this program shall be exempt from all of the following:

(1)Licensure requirements set forth under the California Community Care Facilities Act, commencing Act (commencing with Section 1500 of the Health and Safety Code, Code) and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(2)Relative and nonrelative extended family member approval requirements set forth under Sections 309, 361.4, and 362.7, and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(3)Adoptions approval and reporting requirements set forth under Section 8712 of the Family Code, and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(r)(1)Early implementation counties shall be authorized to continue through December 31, 2016. The program shall be implemented by each county on or before January 1, 2017.

(2)No later than July 1, 2017, each county shall provide the following information to all licensed foster family homes and all approved relatives and nonrelative extended family members:

(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.

(C)Notification that a foster family home license and an approval of a relative or nonrelative extended family member shall be forfeited by operation of law as provided for in paragraph (4).

(3)By no later than January 1, 2018, the following shall apply to all licensed foster family homes and approved relative and nonrelative extended family members:

(A)A licensed foster family home, and an approved relative or nonrelative extended family member with an approved adoptive home study completed prior to January 1, 2018, shall be deemed to be an approved resource family.

(B)A licensed foster family home, and an approved relative or nonrelative extended family member who had a child in placement at any time, for any length of 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 psychosocial assessment pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).

(C)A county may provide supportive services to all licensed foster family home providers, relatives, and nonrelative extended family members with a child in placement to assist with the resource family transition and to minimize placement disruptions.

(4)All foster family licenses and approvals of a relative or nonrelative extended family member shall be forfeited by operation of law on December 31, 2019, except as provided in this paragraph:

(A)All licensed foster family homes that did not have a child in placement at any time, for any length of time, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, shall forfeit the license by operation of law on January 1, 2018.

(B)For foster family home licensees and approved relatives or nonrelative extended family members who have a pending resource family application on December 31, 2019, the foster family home license or relative and nonrelative extended family member approval shall be forfeited by operation of law on the date of 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.

(s)On and after January 1, 2017, all licensed foster family agencies shall approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes. A foster family agency or a short-term residential treatment center pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11462 shall require applicants and resource families to meet the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in this chapter and in the written directives adopted pursuant to this chapter prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.

(t)The department may establish participation conditions, and select and authorize foster family agencies that voluntarily submit implementation plans and revised plans of operation in accordance with requirements established by the department, to approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes.

(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a participating foster family agency shall require resource families to meet and maintain the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in this chapter and in the written directives adopted hereto prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.

(2)A participating foster family agency shall implement the resource family approval program pursuant to Section 1517 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department to inspect, evaluate, or investigate a complaint or incident, or initiate a disciplinary action against a foster family agency pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 1550) of Chapter 3 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, or to take any action it may deem necessary for the health and safety of children placed with the foster family agency.

(4)The department may adjust the foster family agency AFDC-FC rate pursuant to Section 11463 for implementation of this subdivision.

(a)The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall require each person who files an application for adoption to be fingerprinted and shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency any criminal record of that person to determine whether the person has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation. The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency may also secure the persons full criminal record, if any, with the exception of any convictions for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49 of the Penal Code. Any A federal-level criminal offender record requests to the Department of Justice shall be submitted with fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for the purposes of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of an out-of-state or federal conviction or arrest of a person or information regarding any out-of-state or federal crimes or arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance pending trial or appeal. The Department of Justice shall forward to the Federal Bureau of Investigation any requests for federal summary criminal history information received pursuant to this section. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and shall compile and disseminate a response to the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency.

(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the criminal record, if any, shall be taken into consideration when evaluating the prospective adoptive parent, and an assessment of the effects of any criminal history on the ability of the prospective adoptive parent to provide adequate and proper care and guidance to the child shall be included in the report to the court.

(c)(1)The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall not give final approval for an adoptive placement in any home in which the prospective adoptive parent or any adult living in the prospective adoptive home has either of the following:

(1)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subdivision, crimes involving violence means those violent crimes contained in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), and subparagraph (B), of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code. a crime involving violence means an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(2)A felony conviction that occurred within the last five years for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

(d)Any fee charged by a law enforcement agency for fingerprinting or for checking or obtaining the criminal record of the applicant shall be paid by the applicant. The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency may defer, waive, or reduce the fee when its payment would cause economic hardship to prospective adoptive parents detrimental to the welfare of the adopted child, when the child has been in the foster care of the prospective adoptive parents for at least one year, or if necessary for the placement of a special-needs child.

The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a community care facility, foster family home, or a certified family home of a licensed foster family agency. Therefore, the Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999, otherwise known as the California Crime Information Intelligence System (CAL-CII), to be used for applicant fingerprints. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with community care clients may pose a risk to the clients health and safety. An individual shall be required to obtain either a criminal record clearance or a criminal record exemption from the State Department of Social Services before his or her initial presence in a community care facility or certified family home.

(a)(1)Before and, as applicable, subsequent to issuing a license or special permit to any person or persons to operate or manage a community care facility, the State Department of Social Services shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, or for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5 of the Penal Code, subdivision (b) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(2)The criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

(3)Except during the 200304 to the 201617 fiscal years, inclusive, neither the Department of Justice nor the State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license or special permit to operate a facility providing nonmedical board, room, and care for six or less children or for obtaining a criminal record of the applicant pursuant to this section.

(4)The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

(A)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(B)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services may cease processing the criminal record information until the conclusion of the trial.

(C)If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact.

(D)If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g).

(E)An applicant and any other person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice for the purpose of searching the criminal records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the criminal records search required by this subdivision. If an applicant and all other persons described in subdivision (b) meet all of the conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigations criminal offender record information search response for the applicant or any of the persons described in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described in subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction, as prescribed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, or the issuance of a certificate of approval of a certified family home by a foster family agency, the department determines that the licensee or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the department may revoke the license, or require a foster family agency to revoke the certificate of approval, pursuant to Section 1550. The department may also suspend the license or require a foster family agency to suspend the certificate of approval pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1550.5.

(F)The State Department of Social Services shall develop procedures to provide the individuals state and federal criminal history information with the written notification of his or her exemption denial or revocation based on the criminal record. Receipt of the criminal history information shall be optional on the part of the individual, as set forth in the agencys procedures. The procedure shall protect the confidentiality and privacy of the individuals record, and the criminal history information shall not be made available to the employer.

(G)Notwithstanding any other law, the department is authorized to provide an individual with a copy of his or her state or federal level criminal offender record information search response as provided to that department by the Department of Justice if the department has denied a criminal background clearance based on this information and the individual makes a written request to the department for a copy specifying an address to which it is to be sent. The state or federal level criminal offender record information search response shall not be modified or altered from its form or content as provided by the Department of Justice and shall be provided to the address specified by the individual in his or her written request. The department shall retain a copy of the individuals written request and the response and date provided.

(b)(1)In addition to the applicant, this section shall be applicable to criminal record clearances and exemptions for the following persons:

(A)Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff.

(B)Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility or certified family home.

(C)Any person who provides client assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or 1736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant and certified home health aide who will be providing client assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to the community care facility. The facility shall maintain the copy of the certification on file as long as care is being provided by the certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility or certified family home. Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide from a licensed community care facility or certified family home pursuant to Section 1558.

(D)Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the clients.

(E)If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in like capacity.

(F)Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the persons capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility.

(2)The following persons are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)A medical professional as defined in department regulations who holds a valid license or certification from the persons governing California medical care regulatory entity and who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee if all of the following apply:

(i)The criminal record of the person has been cleared as a condition of licensure or certification by the persons governing California medical care regulatory entity.

(ii)The person is providing time-limited specialized clinical care or services.

(iii)The person is providing care or services within the persons scope of practice.

(iv)The person is not a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility.

(B)A third-party repair person or similar retained contractor if all of the following apply:

(i)The person is hired for a defined, time-limited job.

(ii)The person is not left alone with clients.

(iii)When clients are present in the room in which the repair person or contractor is working, a staff person who has a criminal record clearance or exemption is also present.

(C)Employees of a licensed home health agency and other members of licensed hospice interdisciplinary teams who have a contract with a client or resident of the facility and are in the facility at the request of that client or residents legal decisionmaker. The exemption does not apply to a person who is a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility.

(D)Clergy and other spiritual caregivers who are performing services in common areas of the community care facility or who are advising an individual client at the request of, or with the permission of, the client or legal decisionmaker, are exempt from fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed by community care licensing. This exemption does not apply to a person who is a community care licensee or employee of the facility.

(E)Members of fraternal, service, or similar organizations who conduct group activities for clients if all of the following apply:

(i)Members are not left alone with clients.

(ii)Members do not transport clients off the facility premises.

(iii)The same organization does not conduct group activities for clients more often than defined by the departments regulations.

(3)In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (2), the following persons in foster family homes, certified family homes, and small family homes are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)Adult friends and family of the licensed or certified foster parent, who come into the home to visit for a length of time no longer than defined by the department in regulations, provided that the adult friends and family of the licensee or certified parent are not left alone with the foster children. However, the licensee or certified parent, acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 362.04 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, may allow his or her adult friends and family to provide short-term care to the foster child and act as an appropriate occasional short-term babysitter for the child.

(B)Parents of a foster childs friend when the foster child is visiting the friends home and the friend, licensed or certified foster parent, or both are also present. However, the licensee or certified parent, acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, may allow the parent of the foster childs friend to act as an appropriate short-term babysitter for the child without the friend being present.

(C)Individuals who are engaged by any licensed or certified foster parent to provide short-term care to the child for periods not to exceed 24 hours. Caregivers shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in selecting appropriate individuals to act as appropriate occasional short-term babysitters.

(4)In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph (2), the following persons in adult day care and adult day support centers are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

(A)Unless contraindicated by the clients individualized program plan (IPP) or needs and service plan, a spouse, significant other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an attendant or a facilitator for a client with a developmental disability if the attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee. This exemption applies only if the person is visiting the client or providing direct care and supervision to the client.

(B)A volunteer if all of the following applies:

(i)The volunteer is supervised by the licensee or a facility employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption.

(ii)The volunteer is never left alone with clients.

(iii)The volunteer does not provide any client assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene other than washing of hands.

(5)(A)In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph (2), the following persons in adult residential and social rehabilitation facilities, unless contraindicated by the clients individualized program plan (IPP) or needs and services plan, are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1): a spouse, significant other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an attendant or a facilitator for a client with a developmental disability if the attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee. This exemption applies only if the person is visiting the client or providing direct care and supervision to that client.

(B)Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a licensee from requiring a criminal record clearance of any individual exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that the individual has client contact.

(6)Any person similar to those described in this subdivision, as defined by the department in regulations.

(c)(1)Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempted from fingerprinting shall obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g) from the State Department of Social Services prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility. A person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall be fingerprinted and shall sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h). These fingerprint images and related information shall be sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints, and shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee. A licensees failure to prohibit the employment, residence, or initial presence of a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting and who has not received either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g) or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency and the immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprint images and related information shall then be submitted to the Department of Justice for processing. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints.

(2)Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprint images, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided for in subdivision (a). If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprint images. Documentation of the individuals clearance or exemption from disqualification shall be maintained by the licensee and be available for inspection. If new fingerprint images are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services, as required by Section 1522.04, and shall also notify the licensee by mail, within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal history recorded. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548.

(3)Except for persons specified in subdivision (b) who are exempt from fingerprinting, the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted. If it is determined by the State Department of Social Services, on the basis of the fingerprint images and related information submitted to the Department of Justice, that subsequent to obtaining a criminal record clearance or exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), the person has been convicted of, or is awaiting trial for, a sex offense against a minor, or has been convicted for an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, 273ab, 273d, 273g, or 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee to act immediately to terminate the persons employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility. The State Department of Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). If the conviction or arrest was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (A) terminate the persons employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility; or (B) seek an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). The State Department of Social Services shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption from disqualification is rendered. A licensees failure to comply with the departments prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall result in a citation of deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

(4)The department may issue an exemption from disqualification on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (g) if the persons criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria to grant an exemption from disqualification pursuant to this paragraph.

(5)Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (3), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). The individual may seek an exemption from disqualification only if the licensee terminates the persons employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (3).

(d)(1)Before and, as applicable, subsequent to issuing a license or certificate of approval to any person or persons to operate a foster family home or certified family home as described in Section 1506, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall secure California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history information to determine whether the applicant or any person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in subdivision (c) of Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a, of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). The State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall not issue a license or certificate of approval to any foster family home or certified family home applicant who has not obtained both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record clearance or exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g).

(2)The criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons.

(3)Neither the Department of Justice nor the State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval described in this subdivision. The record, if any, shall be taken into consideration when evaluating a prospective applicant.

(4)The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

(A)If the applicant or other persons specified in subdivision (b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting have convictions that would make the applicants home unfit as a foster family home or a certified family home, the license, special permit, certificate of approval, or presence shall be denied.

(B)If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority may cease processing the criminal record information until the conclusion of the trial.

(C)For purposes of this subdivision, a criminal record clearance provided under Section 8712 of the Family Code may be used by the department or other approving agency.

(D)To the same extent required for federal funding, an applicant for a foster family home license or for certification as a family home, and any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, shall submit a set of fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, in addition to the criminal records search required by subdivision (a).

(5)Any person specified in this subdivision shall, as a part of the application, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions or arrests for any crime against a child, spousal or cohabitant abuse, or any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and shall submit these fingerprints to the licensing agency or other approving authority.

(6)(A)Subsequent to initial licensure or certification, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall obtain both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record clearance, or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the foster family or certified family home. A foster family home licensee or foster family agency shall submit fingerprint images and related information of persons specified in subdivision (b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting to the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record information search, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h). A foster family home licensees or a foster family agencys failure to either prohibit the employment, residence, or initial presence of a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting and who has not received either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in a citation of a deficiency, and the immediate civil penalties of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. A violation of the regulation adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the foster family home licensee or the foster family agency pursuant to Section 1550. The State Department of Social Services may assess penalties for continued violations, as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprint images shall then be submitted to the Department of Justice for processing.

(B)Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. Within five working days of the receipt of the criminal record or information regarding criminal convictions from the Department of Justice, the department shall notify the applicant of any criminal arrests or convictions. If no arrests or convictions are recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the foster family home licensee or the foster family agency with a statement of that fact concurrent with providing the information to the State Department of Social Services.

(7)If the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application or presence shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g).

(8)If the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority finds after licensure or the granting of the certificate of approval that the licensee, certified foster parent, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license or certificate of approval may be revoked by the department or the foster family agency, whichever is applicable, unless the director grants an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). A licensees failure to comply with the departments prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

(e)(1)The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client.

(2)The department shall not issue a criminal record clearance to a person who has been arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, or for violating Section 245, 273ab, or 273.5, or subdivision (b) of Section 273a, of the Penal Code, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department is prohibited from granting a criminal record exemption pursuant to subdivision (g), prior to the departments completion of an investigation pursuant to paragraph (1).

(3)The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility.

(f)(1)For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action that the State Department of Social Services is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, when the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice, or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code, shall be prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action.

(2)For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state.

(g)(1)After Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph with respect to applicants who are foster care providers, after review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license or special permit as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), or for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval as specified in paragraphs (4), (7), and (8) of subdivision (d), or for employment, residence, or presence in a community care facility as specified in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (c), if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of good character as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, an exemption shall not be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for any of the following offenses:

(A)(i)An offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a, or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273ab, 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (c) of Section 290, or Section 368, of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(ii)Notwithstanding clause (i), the director may grant an exemption regarding the conviction for an offense described in paragraph (1), (2), (7), or (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, if the employee or prospective employee has been rehabilitated as provided in Section 4852.03 of the Penal Code, has maintained the conduct required in Section 4852.05 of the Penal Code for at least 10 years, and has the recommendation of the district attorney representing the employees county of residence, or if the employee or prospective employee has received a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code. This clause shall not apply to foster care providers, including relative caregivers, nonrelated extended family members, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), in those homes where the individual has been convicted of an offense described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(B)A felony offense specified in Section 729 of the Business and Professions Code or Section 206 or 215, subdivision (a) of Section 347, subdivision (b) of Section 417, or subdivision (a) of Section 451 of the Penal Code.

(C)(i)For a foster care provider applicant applicant, an exemption shall not be granted if that applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) in those homes, the applicants home, has a felony conviction for either of the following offenses:

(I)A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes of this subparagraph, a crime involving violence means a violent crime specified in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), or subparagraph (B). an offense described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

(II)A felony conviction, within the last five years, for physical assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

(2)The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1558.

(h)(1)For purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal record clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another facility licensed by a state licensing district office. The request shall be in writing to the State Department of Social Services, and shall include a copy of the persons drivers license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the State Department of Social Services shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred.

(2)The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal record clearances in its active files for a minimum of three years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal record clearance to be transferred.

(3)The following shall apply to a criminal record clearance or exemption from the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority:

(A)A county office with department-delegated licensing authority may accept a clearance or exemption from the department.

(B)The department may accept a clearance or exemption from any county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

(C)A county office with department-delegated licensing authority may accept a clearance or exemption from any other county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

(4)With respect to notifications issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally processed by the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority, all of the following shall apply:

(A)The Department of Justice shall process a request from the department or a county office with department-delegated licensing authority to receive the notice only if all of the following conditions are met:

(i)The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

(ii) The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type for which the original clearance was obtained.

(iii)The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the department and the Department of Justice.

(B)(i)On or before January 7, 2005, the department shall notify the Department of Justice of all county offices that have department-delegated licensing authority.

(ii)The department shall notify the Department of Justice within 15 calendar days of the date on which a new county office receives department-delegated licensing authority or a countys delegated licensing authority is rescinded.

(C)The Department of Justice shall charge the department, a county office with department-delegated licensing authority, or a county child welfare agency with criminal record clearance and exemption authority, a fee for each time a request to substitute the recipient agency is received for purposes of this paragraph. This fee shall not exceed the cost of providing the service.

(5)(A)A county child welfare agency with authority to secure clearances pursuant to Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to grant exemptions pursuant to Section 361.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code may accept a clearance or exemption from another county with criminal record and exemption authority pursuant to these sections.

(B)With respect to notifications issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally processed by a county child welfare agency with criminal record clearance and exemption authority, the Department of Justice shall process a request from a county child welfare agency with criminal record and exemption authority to receive the notice only if all of the following conditions are met:

(i)The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

(ii)The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type for which the original clearance was obtained.

(iii)The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the State Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice.

(i)The full criminal record obtained for purposes of this section may be used by the department or by a licensed adoption agency as a clearance required for adoption purposes.

(j)If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on written notification from the state department that the employee has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for employment under Section 1558, the licensee or facility shall not incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result of that denial or termination.

(k)The State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the costs of processing electronic fingerprint images and related information.

(l)Amendments to this section made in the 1999 portion of the 19992000 Regular Session shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1999 portion of the 19992000 Regular Session, except that those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be implemented 90 days after the effective date of that act.

(a)Upon delivery to the social worker of a child who has been taken into temporary custody under this article, the social worker shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the child and the facts surrounding the childs being taken into custody and attempt to maintain the child with the childs family through the provision of services. The social worker shall immediately release the child to the custody of the childs parent, guardian, or responsible relative, regardless of the parents, guardians, or relatives immigration status, unless one or more of the following conditions exist:

(1)The child has no parent, guardian, or responsible relative; or the childs parent, guardian, or responsible relative is not willing to provide care for the child.

(2)Continued detention of the child is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the child and there are no reasonable means by which the child can be protected in his or her home or the home of a responsible relative.

(3)There is substantial evidence that a parent, guardian, or custodian of the child is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court.

(4)The child has left a placement in which he or she was placed by the juvenile court.

(5)The parent or other person having lawful custody of the child voluntarily surrendered physical custody of the child pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code and did not reclaim the child within the 14-day period specified in subdivision (e) of that section.

(b)In any case in which there is reasonable cause for believing that a child who is under the care of a physician and surgeon or a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility and cannot be immediately moved and is a person described in Section 300, the child shall be deemed to have been taken into temporary custody and delivered to the social worker for the purposes of this chapter while the child is at the office of the physician and surgeon or the medical facility.

(c)If the child is not released to his or her parent or guardian, the child shall be deemed detained for purposes of this chapter.

(d)(1)If an able and willing relative, as defined in Section 319, or an able and willing nonrelative extended family member, as defined in Section 362.7, is available and requests temporary placement of the child pending the detention hearing, or after the detention hearing and pending the dispositional hearing conducted pursuant to Section 358, the county welfare department shall initiate an assessment of the relatives or nonrelative extended family members suitability, which shall include an in-home inspection to assess the safety of the home and the ability of the relative or nonrelative extended family member to care for the childs needs, and a consideration of the results of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16504.5 and a check of allegations of prior child abuse or neglect concerning the relative or nonrelative extended family member and other adults in the home. A relatives identification card from a foreign consulate or foreign passport shall be considered a valid form of identification for conducting a criminal records check and fingerprint clearance check under this subdivision. Upon completion of this assessment, the child may be placed in the assessed home. For purposes of this paragraph, and except for the criminal records check conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16504.5, the standards used to determine suitability shall be the same standards set forth in the regulations for the licensing of foster family homes.

(2)Immediately following the placement of a child in the home of a relative or a nonrelative extended family member, the county welfare department shall evaluate and approve or deny the home for purposes of AFDC-FC eligibility pursuant to Section 11402. The standards used to evaluate and grant or deny approval of the home of the relative and of the home of a nonrelative extended family member, as described in Section 362.7, shall be the same standards set forth in regulations for the licensing of foster family homes which prescribe standards of safety and sanitation for the physical plant and standards for basic personal care, supervision, and services provided by the caregiver.

(3)To the extent allowed by federal law, as a condition of receiving funding under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.), if a relative or nonrelative extended family member meets all other conditions for approval, except for the receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigations criminal history information for the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and other adults in the home, as indicated, the county welfare department may approve the home and document that approval, if the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and each adult in the home, has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after the approval has been granted, the department determines that the relative or nonrelative extended family member or other adult in the home has a criminal record, the approval may be terminated.

(4)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of a crime for which the Director of Social Services cannot grant an exemption under Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, the child shall not be placed in the home. If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of a crime for which the Director of Social Services may grant an exemption under Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, the child shall not be placed in the home unless a criminal records exemption has been granted by the county based on substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the person with the criminal conviction is of such good character as to justify the placement and not present a risk of harm to the child. any of the following crimes, the child shall not be placed in the home:

(e)(1)If the child is removed, the social worker shall conduct, within 30 days, an investigation in order to identify and locate all grandparents, parents of a sibling of the child, if the parent has legal custody of the sibling, adult siblings, and other adult relatives of the child, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 319, including any other adult relatives suggested by the parents. As used in this section, sibling means a person related to the identified child by blood, adoption, or affinity through a common legal or biological parent. The social worker shall provide to all adult relatives who are located, except when that relatives history of family or domestic violence makes notification inappropriate, within 30 days of removal of the child, written notification and shall also, whenever appropriate, provide oral notification, in person or by telephone, of all the following information:

(A)The child has been removed from the custody of his or her parent or parents, or his or her guardians.

(B)An explanation of the various options to participate in the care and placement of the child and support for the childs family, including any options that may be lost by failing to respond. The notice shall provide information about providing care for the child while the family receives reunification services with the goal of returning the child to the parent or guardian, how to become a foster family home or approved relative or nonrelative extended family member as defined in Section 362.7, and additional services and support that are available in out-of-home placements. The notice shall also include information regarding the Kin-GAP Program (Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9), the CalWORKs program for approved relative caregivers (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9), adoption, and adoption assistance (Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4 of Division 9), as well as other options for contact with the child, including, but not limited to, visitation. The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California and other interested stakeholders, shall develop the written notice.

(2)The social worker shall also provide the adult relatives notified pursuant to paragraph (1) with a relative information form to provide information to the social worker and the court regarding the needs of the child. The form shall include a provision whereby the relative may request the permission of the court to address the court, if the relative so chooses. The Judicial Council, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services and the County Welfare Directors Association of California, shall develop the form.

(3)The social worker shall use due diligence in investigating the names and locations of the relatives pursuant to paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, asking the child in an age-appropriate manner about relatives important to the child, consistent with the childs best interest, and obtaining information regarding the location of the childs adult relatives. Each county welfare department shall create and make public a procedure by which relatives of a child who has been removed from his or her parents or guardians may identify themselves to the county welfare department and be provided with the notices required by paragraphs (1) and (2).

(a)Prior to placing a child in the home of a relative, or the home of any prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the county social worker shall visit the home to ascertain the appropriateness of the placement.

(b)(1)Whenever a child may be placed in the home of a relative, or the home of any prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the court or county social worker placing the child shall cause a state-level criminal records check to be conducted by an appropriate government agency through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) pursuant to Section 16504.5. The criminal records check shall be conducted with regard to all persons over 18 years of age living in the home, and on any other person over 18 years of age, other than professionals providing professional services to the child, known to the placing entity who may have significant contact with the child, including any person who has a familial or intimate relationship with any person living in the home. A criminal records check may be conducted pursuant to this section on any person over 14 years of age living in the home who the county social worker believes may have a criminal record. Within 10 calendar days following the criminal records check conducted through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the social worker shall ensure that a fingerprint clearance check of the relative and any other person whose criminal record was obtained pursuant to this subdivision is initiated through the Department of Justice to ensure the accuracy of the criminal records check conducted through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System and shall review the results of any criminal records check to assess the safety of the home. The Department of Justice shall forward fingerprint requests for federal-level criminal history information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to this section.

(2)An identification card from a foreign consulate or foreign passport shall be considered a valid form of identification for conducting a criminal records check and fingerprint clearance check under this subdivision and under subdivision (c).

(c)Whenever a child may be placed in the home of a relative, or a prospective guardian or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent, the county social worker shall cause a check of the Child Abuse Central Index pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 11170 of the Penal Code to be requested from the Department of Justice. The Child Abuse Central Index check shall be conducted on all persons over 18 years of age living in the home. For any application received on or after January 1, 2008, if any person in the household is 18 years of age or older and has lived in another state in the preceding five years, the county social worker shall check the other states child abuse and neglect registry to the extent required by federal law.

(d)(1)If the results of the California and federal criminal records check indicates that the person has no criminal record, the county social worker and court may consider the home of the relative, prospective guardian, or other person who is not a licensed or certified foster parent for placement of a child.

(2)If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of a crime that the Director of Social Services cannot grant an exemption for under Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, the child shall not be placed in the home. If the criminal records check indicates that the person has been convicted of a crime that the Director of Social Services may grant an exemption for under Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, the child shall not be placed in the home unless a criminal records exemption has been granted by the county, based on substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the person with the criminal conviction is of such good character as to justify the placement and not present a risk of harm to the child pursuant to paragraph (3). any of the following crimes, the child shall not be placed in the home:

(e)Nothing in this section shall preclude a county from conducting a criminal background check that the county is otherwise authorized to conduct using fingerprints.

(a)The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with county child welfare agencies, foster parent associations, and other interested community parties, shall implement a unified, family friendly, and child-centered resource family approval process to replace the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, approving relatives and nonrelative extended family members as foster care providers, and approving adoptive families.

(b)(1)Counties shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis as early implementation counties for the purpose of participating in the initial development of the approval process. Early implementation counties shall be selected according to criteria developed by the department in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association. In selecting the five early implementation counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location.

(2)Additional counties may participate in the early implementation of the program upon authorization by the department.

(c)(1)For the purposes of this chapter, resource family means an individual or couple that a participating county or foster family agency, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 11400 of this code, and paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, determines to have successfully met both the home environment assessment standards and the permanency assessment criteria adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) necessary for providing care for a related or unrelated child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department. A resource family shall demonstrate all of the following:

(A)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, including the need for protection, and the willingness to make use of support resources offered by the agency, or a support structure in place, or both.

(B)An understanding of childrens needs and development, effective parenting skills or knowledge about parenting, and the capacity to act as a reasonable, prudent parent in day-to-day decisionmaking.

(C)An understanding of his or her role as a resource family and the capacity to work cooperatively with the agency and other service providers in implementing the childs case plan.

(D)The financial ability within the household to ensure the stability and financial security of the family.

(E)An ability and willingness to provide a family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences that serves the needs of the child.

(2)Subsequent to meeting the criteria set forth in this subdivision and designation as a resource family, a resource family shall be considered eligible to provide foster care for related and unrelated children in out-of-home placement, shall be considered approved for adoption or guardianship, and shall not have to undergo any additional approval or licensure as long as the family lives in a county participating in the program.

(3)Resource family approval means that the applicant successfully meets the home environment assessment and permanency assessment standards. This approval is in lieu of the existing foster care license, relative or nonrelative extended family member approval, and the adoption home study approval.

(4)Approval of a resource family does not guarantee an initial or continued placement of a child with a resource family.

(5)Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, the department or county may cease any further review of an application if the applicant has had a previous application denial within the preceding year, or if the applicant has had a previous rescission, revocation, or exemption denial or rescission by the department or county within the preceding two years. However, the department or county may continue to review an application if it has determined that the reasons for the previous denial, rescission, or revocation were due to circumstances and conditions that either have been corrected or are no longer in existence. If an individual was excluded from a resource family home or facility licensed by the department, the department or county shall cease review of the individuals application unless the excluded individual has been reinstated pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code. The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of this section or any other law.

(d)Prior to implementation of this program, the department shall adopt standards pertaining to the home environment and permanency assessments of a resource family.

(1)Resource family home environment assessment standards shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)(i)Criminal records clearance of all adults residing in, or regularly present in, the home, and not exempted from fingerprinting, as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, pursuant to Section 8712 of the Family Code, utilizing a check of the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI), and receipt of a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal offender record information search response. The criminal history information shall include subsequent notifications pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

(B)Consideration of any substantiated allegations of child abuse or neglect against either the applicant or any other adult residing in the home. An approval may not be granted to applicants whose criminal record indicates a conviction for any of the offenses specified in subdivision (g) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code.

(i)For public foster family agencies approving resource families, the criminal records clearance process set forth in clause (i) subparagraph (A) shall be utilized.

(ii)For private foster family agencies approving resource families, the criminal records clearance process set forth in clause (i) subparagraph (A) shall be utilized, but the Department of Justice shall disseminate a fitness determination resulting from the federal criminal offender record information search.

(C)Buildings and grounds and storage requirements set forth in Sections 89387 and 89387.2 of Article 3 of Chapter 9.5 of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(D)In addition to the foregoing requirements, the resource family home environment assessment standards shall also require the following:

(i)That the applicant demonstrate an understanding about the rights of children in care and his or her responsibility to safeguard those rights.

(ii)That the total number of children residing in the home of a resource family shall be no more than the total number of children the resource family can properly care for, regardless of status, and shall not exceed six children, unless exceptional circumstances that are documented in the foster childs case file exist to permit a resource family to care for more children, including, but not limited to, the need to place siblings together.

(iii)That the applicant understands his or her responsibilities with respect to acting as a reasonable and prudent parent, and maintaining the least restrictive environment that serves the needs of the child.

(2)The resource family permanency assessment standards shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)The applicant shall complete caregiver training.

(B)(i)The applicant shall complete a psychosocial assessment, which shall include the results of a risk assessment.

(ii)A caregiver risk assessment shall include, but shall not be limited to, physical and mental health, alcohol and other substance use and abuse, family and domestic violence, and the factors listed in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(C)The applicant shall complete any other activities that relate to a resource familys ability to achieve permanency with the child.

(e)(1)A child may be placed with a resource family that has successfully completed the home environment assessment prior to completion of a permanency assessment only if a compelling reason for the placement exists based on the needs of the child.

(2)The permanency assessment shall be completed within 90 days of the childs placement in the home, unless good cause exists based upon the needs of the child.

(3)If additional time is needed to complete the permanency assessment, the county shall document the extenuating circumstances for the delay and generate a timeframe for the completion of the permanency assessment.

(4)The county shall report to the department on a quarterly basis the number of families with a child in an approved home whose permanency assessment goes beyond 90 days and summarize the reasons for these delays.

(5)A child may be placed with a relative, as defined in Section 319, or nonrelative extended family member, as defined in Section 362.7, prior to applying as a resource family only on an emergency basis if all of the following requirements are met:

(A)Consideration of the results of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to Section 16504.5 of the relative or nonrelative extended family member and of every other adult in the home.

(B)Consideration of the results of the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) consistent with Section 1522.1 of the Health and Safety Code of the relative or nonrelative extended family member, and of every other adult in the home.

(C)The home and grounds are free of conditions that pose undue risk to the health and safety of the child.

(D)For any placement made pursuant to this paragraph, the county shall initiate the home environment assessment no later than five business days after the placement, which shall include a face-to-face interview with the resource family applicant and child.

(E)For any placement made pursuant to this paragraph, AFDC-FC funding shall not be available until approval of the resource family has been completed.

(F)Any child placed under this section shall be afforded all the rights set forth in Section 16001.9.

(f)The State Department of Social Services shall be responsible for all of the following:

(1)Selecting early implementation counties, based on criteria established by the department in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association.

(2)Establishing timeframes for participating counties to submit an implementation plan, enter into terms and conditions for participation in the program, train appropriate staff, and accept applications from resource families.

(3)Entering into terms and conditions for participation in the program by counties.

(4)Administering the program through the issuance of written directives that shall have the same force and effect as regulations. Any directive affecting Article 1 (commencing with Section 700) of Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the California Code of Regulations shall be approved by the Department of Justice. The directives shall be exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340)) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(5)Approving and requiring the use of a single standard for resource family approval.

(6)Adopting and requiring the use of standardized documentation for the home environment and permanency assessments of resource families.

(7)Requiring counties to monitor resource families including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A)Investigating complaints of resource families.

(B)Developing and monitoring resource family corrective action plans to correct identified deficiencies and to rescind resource family approval if compliance with corrective action plans is not achieved.

(8)Ongoing oversight and monitoring of county systems and operations including all of the following:

(A)Reviewing the countys implementation of the program.

(B)Reviewing an adequate number of approved resource families in each participating county to ensure that approval standards are being properly applied. The review shall include case file documentation, and may include onsite inspection of individual resource families. The review shall occur on an annual basis, and more frequently if the department becomes aware that a participating county is experiencing a disproportionate number of complaints against individual resource family homes.

(C)Reviewing county reports of serious complaints and incidents involving approved resource families, as determined necessary by the department. The department may conduct an independent review of the complaint or incident and change the findings depending on the results of its investigation.

(D)Investigating unresolved complaints against participating counties.

(E)Requiring corrective action of counties that are not in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the program.

(9)Updating the Legislature on the early implementation phase of the program, including the status of implementation, successes, and challenges during the early implementation phase, and relevant available data, including resource family satisfaction.

(10)Implementing due process procedures, including all of the following:

(A)Providing a statewide fair hearing process for denials, rescissions, or exclusion actions.

(B)Amending the departments applicable state hearing procedures and regulations or using the Administrative Procedure Act, when applicable, as necessary for the administration of the program.

(g)Counties participating in the program shall be responsible for all of the following:

(1)Submitting an implementation plan, entering into terms and conditions for participation in the program, consulting with the county probation department in the development of the implementation plan, training appropriate staff, and accepting applications from resource families within the timeframes established by the department.

(2)Complying with the written directives pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (f).

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

(4)Ensuring staff have the education and experience necessary to complete the home environment and psychosocial assessments competently.

(5)(A)Taking the following actions, as applicable:

(i)Approving or denying resource family applications.

(ii)Rescinding approvals of resource families.

(iii)Excluding a resource family parent or other individual from presence in a resource family home, consistent with the established standard.

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

(B)Providing a resource family parent, applicant, or excluded individual requesting review of that decision with due process pursuant to the departments statutes, regulations, and written directives.

(C)Notifying the department of any decisions denying a resource familys application or rescinding the approval of a resource family, excluding an individual, or taking other administrative action.

(D)Issuing a temporary suspension order that suspends the resource family approval prior to a hearing, when urgent action is needed to protect a child or nonminor dependent who is or may be placed in the home from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety.

(6)Updating resource family approval annually.

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

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

(B)Requiring resource families to comply with corrective action plans as necessary to correct identified deficiencies. If corrective action is not completed as specified in the plan, the county may rescind the resource family approval.

(C)Requiring resource families to report to the county child welfare agency any incidents consistent with the reporting requirements for licensed foster family homes.

(8)Investigating all complaints against a resource family and taking action as necessary. This shall include investigating any incidents reported about a resource family indicating that the approval standard is not being maintained.

(A)The childs social worker shall not conduct the formal investigation into the complaint received concerning a family providing services under the standards required by subdivision (d). To the extent that adequate resources are available, complaints shall be investigated by a worker who did not initially conduct the home environment or psychosocial assessments.

(B)Upon conclusion of the complaint investigation, the final disposition shall be reviewed and approved by a supervising staff member.

(C)The department shall be notified of any serious incidents or serious complaints or any incident that falls within the definition of Section 11165.5 of the Penal Code. If those incidents or complaints result in an investigation, the department shall also be notified as to the status and disposition of that investigation.

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

(10)Assessing county performance in related areas of the California Child and Family Services Review System, and remedying problems identified.

(11)Submitting information and data that the department determines is necessary to study, monitor, and prepare the report specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (f).

(12)Ensuring resource family applicants and resource families have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to support children in foster care by completing caregiver training. The training should include a curriculum that supports the role of a resource family in parenting vulnerable children and should be ongoing in order to provide resource families with information on trauma-informed practices and requirements and other topics within the foster care system.

(13)Ensuring that a resource family applicant completes a minimum of 12 hours of preapproval training. The training shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following courses:

(A)An overview of the child protective and probation systems.

(B)The effects of trauma, including grief and loss, and child abuse and neglect, on child development and behavior, and methods to behaviorally support children impacted by that trauma or child abuse and neglect.

(C)Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.

(D)Health issues in foster care.

(E)Accessing services and supports to address education needs, physical, mental, and behavioral health, and substance use disorders, including culturally relevant services.

(F)The rights of a child in foster care, and the resource familys responsibility to safeguard those rights, including the right to have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.

(G)Cultural needs of children, including instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity, and related best practices for providing adequate care for children or youth across diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children or youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

(H)Basic instruction on existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school; and ensuring a harassment and violence free school environment pursuant to Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. school.

(I)Permanence, well-being, and education needs of children.

(J)Child and adolescent development, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.

(K)The role of resource families, including working cooperatively with the child welfare or probation agency, the childs family, and other service providers implementing the case plan.

(L)The role of a resource family on the child and family team as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501.

(M)A resource familys responsibility to act as a reasonable and prudent parent, and to provide a family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences and that serves the needs of the child.

(N)An overview of the specialized training identified in subdivision (h).

(14)Ensuring approved resource families complete a minimum of eight training hours annually, a portion of which shall be from one or more of the topics listed in paragraph (13).

(h)In addition to any training required by this section, a resource family may be required to receive specialized training, as relevant, for the purpose of preparing the resource family to meet the needs of a particular child in care. This training may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to commercially sexually exploited children.

(2)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children.

(3)Understanding the requirements and best practices regarding psychotropic medications, including, but not limited to, court authorization, benefits, uses, side effects, interactions, assistance with self-administration, misuse, documentation, storage, and metabolic monitoring of children prescribed psychotropic medications.

(4)Understanding the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), its historical significance, the rights of children covered by the act, and the best interests of Indian children, including the role of the caregiver in supporting culturally appropriate, child-centered practices that respect Native American history, culture, retention of tribal membership and connection to the tribal community and traditions.

(5)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to nonminor dependents.

(6)Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to children with special health care needs.

(7)Understanding the different permanency options and the services and benefits associated with the options.

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

(j)(1)Approved relatives and nonrelative extended family members, licensed foster family homes, or approved adoptive homes that have completed the license or approval process prior to full implementation of the program shall not be considered part of the program. The otherwise applicable assessment and oversight processes shall continue to be administered for families and facilities not included in the program.

(2) Upon implementation of the program in a county, that county may not accept new applications for the licensure of foster family homes, the approval of relative and nonrelative extended family members, or the approval of prospective adoptive homes.

(k)The department may waive regulations that pose a barrier to implementation and operation of this program. The waiver of any regulations by the department pursuant to this section shall apply to only those counties or foster family agencies participating in the program and only for the duration of the program.

(l)Resource families approved under initial implementation of the program, who move within an early implementation county or who move to another early implementation county, shall retain their resource family status if the new building and grounds, outdoor activity areas, and storage areas meet home environment standards. The State Department of Social Services or early implementation county may allow a program-affiliated individual to transfer his or her subsequent arrest notification if the individual moves from one early implementation county to another early implementation county, as specified in subdivision (g) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code.

(m)(1)The approval of a resource family who moves to a nonparticipating county remains in full force and effect pending a determination by the county approval agency or the department, as appropriate, whether the new building and grounds and storage areas meet applicable standards, and whether all adults residing in the home have a criminal records clearance or exemptions granted, using the exemption criteria used for foster care licensing, as specified in subdivision (g) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety pursuant to Section 8712 of the Family Code. Upon this determination, the nonparticipating county shall either approve the family as a relative or nonrelative extended family member, as applicable, or the department shall license the family as a foster family home.

(2)Subject to the requirements in paragraph (1), the family shall continue to be approved for guardianship and adoption. Nothing in this subdivision shall limit a county or adoption agency from determining that the family is not approved for guardianship or adoption based on changes in the familys circumstances or psychosocial assessment.

(3)A program-affiliated individual who moves to a nonparticipating county may not transfer his or her subsequent arrest notification from a participating county to the nonparticipating county.

(n)Implementation of the program shall be contingent upon the continued availability of federal Social Security Act Title IV-E (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670) funds for costs associated with placement of children with resource families assessed and approved under the program.

(o)A child placed with a resource family shall be eligible for AFDC-FC payments. A resource family, or a foster family agency pursuant to subdivisions (s) and (t), shall be paid an AFDC-FC rate pursuant to Sections 11460, 11461, and 11463. Sharing ratios for nonfederal expenditures for all costs associated with activities related to the approval of relatives and nonrelative extended family members shall be in accordance with Section 10101.

(p)The Department of Justice shall charge fees sufficient to cover the cost of initial or subsequent criminal offender record information and Child Abuse Central Index searches, processing, or responses, as specified in this section.

(q)Except as provided, approved resource families under this program shall be exempt from all of the following:

(1)Licensure requirements set forth under the Community Care Facilities Act, commencing with Section 1500 of the Health and Safety Code, and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(2)Relative and nonrelative extended family member approval requirements set forth under Sections 309, 361.4, and 362.7, and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(3)Adoptions approval and reporting requirements set forth under Section 8712 of the Family Code, and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(r)(1)Early implementation counties shall be authorized to continue through December 31, 2016. The program shall be implemented by each county on or before January 1, 2017.

(2)No later than July 1, 2017, each county shall provide the following information to all licensed foster family homes and all approved relatives and nonrelative extended family members:

(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.

(C)Notification that a foster family home license and an approval of a relative or nonrelative extended family member shall be forfeited by operation of law as provided for in paragraph (4).

(3)By no later than January 1, 2018, the following shall apply to all licensed foster family homes and approved relative and nonrelative extended family members:

(A)A licensed foster family home, and an approved relative or nonrelative extended family member with an approved adoptive home study completed prior to January 1, 2018, shall be deemed to be an approved resource family.

(B)A licensed foster family home, and an approved relative or nonrelative extended family member who had a child in placement at any time, for any length of 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 psychosocial assessment pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).

(C)A county may provide supportive services to all licensed foster family home providers, relatives, and nonrelative extended family members with a child in placement to assist with the resource family transition and to minimize placement disruptions.

(4)All foster family licenses and approvals of a relative or nonrelative extended family member shall be forfeited by operation of law on December 31, 2019, except as provided in this paragraph:

(A)All licensed foster family homes that did not have a child in placement at any time, for any length of time, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, shall forfeit the license by operation of law on January 1, 2018.

(B)For foster family home licensees and approved relatives or nonrelative extended family members who have a pending resource family application on December 31, 2019, the foster family home license or relative and nonrelative extended family member approval shall be forfeited by operation of law on the date of 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.

(s)On and after January 1, 2017, all licensed foster family agencies shall approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes. A foster family agency or a short-term residential treatment center pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11462 shall require applicants and resource families to meet the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in this chapter and in the written directives adopted pursuant to this chapter prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.

(t)Commencing January 1, 2016, the The department may establish participation conditions, and select and authorize foster family agencies that voluntarily submit implementation plans and revised plans of operation in accordance with requirements established by the department, to approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes.

(1)Notwithstanding any other law, a participating foster family agency shall require resource families to meet and maintain the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in this chapter and in the written directives adopted hereto prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.

(2)A participating foster family agency shall implement the resource family approval program pursuant to Section 1517 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department to inspect, evaluate, or investigate a complaint or incident, or initiate a disciplinary action against a foster family agency pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 1550) of Chapter 3 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, or to take any action it may deem necessary for the health and safety of children placed with the foster family agency.

(4)The department may adjust the foster family agency AFDC-FC rate pursuant to Section 11463 for implementation of this subdivision.