Foster care.

Existing law establishes within the State Department of Social Services the Foster Family Home and Small Family Home Insurance Fund, consisting of moneys appropriated by the Legislature, for the purposes of paying, on behalf of foster family homes and small family homes, as defined, claims of foster children, their parents, guardians, or guardians ad litem resulting from occurrences peculiar to the foster care relationship and the provision of foster care services. Existing law requires the department to approve or reject a claim within 180 days after it is presented and requires the department, or a designated agency, to notify the claimant of its decision. This bill would provide that any applicable statute of limitations for a cause of action that arises from the same occurrence for which a claim has been filed with the fund shall be tolled from the date the claim against the fund has been filed until the date the person has been notified that his or her claim with the fund has been approved or rejected. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature to maintain the Foster Family Home and Small Family Home Insurance Fund at an adequate level to meet anticipated liabilities. This bill would instead require that the fund be maintained at an adequate level to meet anticipated liabilities. Existing law prohibits an admitted insurer, as specified, from, among other things, refusing to accept an application for, or canceling, certain insurance policies solely on the basis that an applicant or policyholder is engaged in foster home activities in a licensed foster family home or licensed small family home, as defined. This bill would also prohibit an admitted insurer from, among other things, refusing to accept an application for, or canceling, certain insurance policies solely on the basis that an applicant or policyholder is engaged in foster home activities in a certified family home, as defined, and make related changes.