Resource family approval.

(1) Existing law provides for the implementation of the resource family approval program, which replaces the multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, certifying foster homes by foster family agencies, approving relatives and nonrelative extended family members as foster care providers, and approving guardians and adoptive families. Existing law requires foster care providers to have resource family approval by December 31, 2019, and makes existing foster care certifications, licenses, and approvals inoperative as of that date, except as specified. Existing law requires public and private child placement agencies to provide existing foster care providers with certain information regarding the resource family approval program, including, among other things, notice that in order to care for a foster child, resource family approval is required by December 31, 2019. This bill would extend the deadline by which foster care providers are required to have resource family approval to December 31, 2020, and extend the operation of current certifications, licenses, and approvals until that date. The bill would authorize an applicant who withdraws a resource family application before its approval or denial to resubmit the application within 12 months, as provided. The bill would also require public and private placing agencies to provide existing foster care providers with the information regarding the resource family approval program as described above, including the revised deadline, by July 1, 2019. The bill would make conforming changes to existing law to reflect the extension of the resource family approval deadline described above, thereby making certain foster care placements made prior to January 1, 2021, eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care payments, Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children payments, and respite care. (2) Existing law authorizes a county to place a child with a resource family applicant who has successfully completed the home environment assessment prior to the completion of a permanency assessment only if a compelling reason for the placement exists based on the needs of the child. Existing law, in these cases, requires the permanency assessment to be completed within 90 days of placement, unless good cause exists. Existing law requires the county to document extenuating circumstances for any delay in those cases, generate a timeframe for the completion of the permanency assessment, and report specified information to the State Department of Social Services regarding these delays. The bill would instead require that the permanency assessment be completed within 90 days of any application to become a resource family, unless good cause exists, and would further expand the above-mentioned county duties to instances in which a child is placed with a resource family applicant on an emergency basis, as specified. (3) Existing law requires that preferential consideration be given to a request by a relative of a child who has been adjudged a dependent of the juvenile court for placement of the child with the relative, as specified. Existing law requires the county social worker, in determining whether placement with a relative is appropriate, to consider certain factors, including the safety of the relative's home. Existing law requires the relative's home to first be assessed for safety and for the relative to be subject to a specified criminal records clearance in order for the relative to be considered appropriate to receive placement of a child on an emergency basis. This bill would require the same safety assessment and criminal records clearance to be conducted in order for a relative to be considered appropriate to receive placement of a child following a disposition hearing. (4) By increasing the duties of county officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (5) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 1517 and 1517.1 of the Health and Safety Code and Sections 16519.5 and 18360 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 1930 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1930 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. (6) 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.