Indian tribes: foster care and adoption programs.

Existing law provides for child welfare services, which are public social services directed toward, among other purposes, protecting and promoting the welfare of all children, including those in foster care placement. Existing law includes specified findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to child welfare services. This bill would make it the policy of the state to maximize the opportunities for Indian tribes to operate foster care programs for Indian children pursuant to the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services to negotiate in good faith with the Indian tribe, organization, or consortium in the state that requests development of an agreement with the state to administer all or part of the programs under specified provisions of federal law relating to foster care and adoption assistance, on behalf of the Indian children who are under the authority of the tribe, organization, or consortium.