SB 524: Private alternative boarding schools and outdoor programs.

Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of community care and residential facilities by the State Department of Social Services. Under existing law, the act does not apply to certain facilities, including, among others, any school dormitory or similar facility determined by the department. Existing law makes a violation of any of these provisions punishable as a misdemeanor.

This bill would define private alternative boarding school and private alternative outdoor program for purposes of the act and would make those facilities subject to regulation under the act. The bill would require the department, commencing January 1, 2018, to license private alternative boarding schools as group homes and, commencing January 1, 2019, to license private alternative outdoor programs as group homes. The bill would impose additional requirements on these facilities and programs, including, among others, requiring them to provide each prospective youth and his or her parent or legal guardian with an accurate written description of the programs and services to be provided and requiring their staff to receive training in specified subject areas. The bill would also establish rights for youth admitted to a private alternative boarding school or a private alternative outdoor program. The bill would require the department to adopt regulations implementing licensure of private alternative boarding schools by January 1, 2018, and to adopt regulations implementing licensure of private alternative outdoor programs by January 1, 2019, and would authorize the department to adopt emergency regulations in both instances.

By making private alternative boarding schools and private alternative outdoor programs subject to criminal penalties under the act, this bill would create new crimes, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.

This bill would incorporate additional changes made by AB 741 and AB 1997 that would become operative only if this bill is chaptered last.

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

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