H&S Code § 1500.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Community Care Facilities Act.
H&S Code § 1501.
(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that there is an urgent need to establish a coordinated and comprehensive statewide service system of quality community care for mentally ill, developmentally and physically disabled, and children and adults who require care or services by a facility or organization issued a license or special permit pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Therefore, the Legislature declares it is the intent of the state to develop policies and programs designed to: (1) insure a level of care and services in the community which is equal to or better than that provided by the state hospitals; (2) assure that all people who require them are provided with the appropriate range of social rehabilitative, habilitative and treatment services, including residential and nonresidential programs tailored to their needs; (3) protect the legal and human rights of a person in or receiving services from a community care facility; (4) insure continuity of care between the medical-health elements and the supportive care-rehabilitation elements of California’s health systems; (5) insure that facilities providing community care are adequate, safe and sanitary; (6) assure that rehabilitative and treatment services are provided at a reasonable cost; (7) assure that state payments for community care services are based on a flexible rate schedule varying according to type and cost of care and services provided; (8) encourage the utilization of personnel from state hospitals and the development of training programs to improve the quality of staff in community care facilities; and (9) insure the quality of community care facilities by evaluating the care and services provided and furnishing incentives to upgrade their quality.
H&S Code § 1501.1.
(a) It is the policy of the state to facilitate the proper placement of every child in residential care facilities where the placement is in the best interests of the child. A county may require placement or licensing agencies, or both placement and licensing agencies, to actively seek out-of-home care facilities capable of meeting the varied needs of the child. Therefore, in placing children in out-of-home care, particular attention should be given to the individual child’s needs, the ability of the facility to meet those needs, the needs of other children in the facility, the licensing requirements of the facility as determined by the licensing agency, and the impact of the placement on the family reunification plan.
(b) Pursuant to this section, children with varying designations and varying needs, except as provided by statute, may be placed in the same facility provided the facility is licensed, complies with all licensing requirements relevant to the protection of the child, and has a special permit, if necessary, to meet the needs of each child so placed. A facility may not require, as a condition of placement, that a child be identified as an individual with exceptional needs as defined by Section 56026 of the Education Code.
(c) Neither the requirement for any license nor any regulation shall restrict the implementation of the provisions of this section. Implementation of this section does not obviate the requirement for a facility to be licensed by the department. (d) Pursuant to this section, children with varying designations and varying needs, except as provided by statute, may be placed in the same licensed foster family home or with a foster family agency for subsequent placement in a certified family home. Children with developmental disabilities, mental disorders, or physical disabilities may be placed in licensed foster family homes or certified family homes, provided that an appraisal of the child’s needs and the ability of the receiving home to meet those needs is made jointly by the placement agency and the licensee in the case of licensed foster family homes or the placement agency and the foster family agency in the case of certified family homes, and is followed by written confirmation prior to placement. The appraisal shall confirm that the placement poses no threat to any child in the home.
For purposes of this chapter, the placing of children by foster family agencies shall be referred to as “subsequent placement” to distinguish the activity from the placing by public agencies.
H&S Code §1502.
As used in this chapter:
(a) “Community care facility” means any facility, place, or building that is maintained and operated to provide nonmedical residential care, day treatment, adult day care, or foster family agency services for children, adults, or children and adults, including, but not limited to, the physically handicapped, mentally impaired, incompetent persons, and abused or neglected children, and includes the following:
(1) “Residential facility” means any family home, group care facility, or similar facility determined by the director, for 24-hour nonmedical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual.
(2) “Adult day program” means any community-based facility or program that provides care to persons 18 years of age or older in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of these individuals on less than a 24-hour basis.
(3) “Therapeutic day services facility” means any facility that provides nonmedical care, counseling, educational or vocational support, or social rehabilitation services on less than a 24-hour basis to persons under 18 years of age who would otherwise be placed in foster care or who are returning to families from foster care. Program standards for these facilities shall be developed by the department, pursuant to Section 1530, in consultation with therapeutic day services and foster care providers.
(4) “Foster family agency” means any organization engaged in the recruiting, certifying, and training of, and providing professional support to, foster parents, or in finding homes or other places for placement of children for temporary or permanent care who require that level of care as an alternative to a group home. Private foster family agencies shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis.
(5) “Foster family home” means any residential facility providing 24-hour care for six or fewer foster children that is owned, leased, or rented and is the residence of the foster parent or parents, including their family, in whose care the foster children have been placed. The placement may be by a public or private child placement agency or by a court order, or by voluntary placement by a parent, parents, or guardian. It also means a foster family home described in Section 1505.2.
(6) “Small family home” means any residential facility, in the licensee’s family residence, that provides 24-hour care for six or fewer foster children who have mental disorders or developmental or physical disabilities and who require special care and supervision as a result of their disabilities. A small family home may accept children with special health care needs, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17710 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. In addition to placing children with special health care needs, the department may approve placement of children without special health care needs, up to the licensed capacity.
(7) “Social rehabilitation facility” means any residential facility that provides social rehabilitation services for no longer than 18 months in a group setting to adults recovering from mental illness who temporarily need assistance, guidance, or counseling. Program components shall be subject to program standards pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 5670) of Chapter 2.5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(8) “Community treatment facility” means any residential facility that provides mental health treatment services to children in a group setting and that has the capacity to provide secure containment. Program components shall be subject to program standards developed and enforced by the State Department of Mental Health pursuant to Section 4094 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or discourage placement of persons who have mental or physical disabilities into any category of community care facility that meets the needs of the individual placed, if the placement is consistent with the licensing regulations of the department.
(9) “Full-service adoption agency” means any licensed entity engaged in the business of providing adoption services, that does all of the following:
(A) Assumes care, custody, and control of a child through relinquishment of the child to the agency or involuntary termination of parental rights to the child.
(B) Assesses the birth parents, prospective adoptive parents, or child.
(C) Places children for adoption.
(D) Supervises adoptive placements. Private full-service adoption agencies shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis. As a condition of licensure to provide intercountry adoption services, a full-service adoption agency shall be accredited and in good standing according to Part 96 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or supervised by an accredited primary provider, or acting as an exempted provider, in compliance with Subpart F (commencing with Section 96.29) of Part 96 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(10) “Noncustodial adoption agency” means any licensed entity engaged in the business of providing adoption services, that does all of the following:
(A) Assesses the prospective adoptive parents.
(B) Cooperatively matches children freed for adoption, who are under the care, custody, and control of a licensed adoption agency, for adoption, with assessed and approved adoptive applicants.
(C) Cooperatively supervises adoptive placements with a full-service adoptive agency, but does not disrupt a placement or remove a child from a placement. Private noncustodial adoption agencies shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis. As a condition of licensure to provide intercountry adoption services, a noncustodial adoption agency shall be accredited and in good standing according to Part 96 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or supervised by an accredited primary provider, or acting as an exempted provider, in compliance with Subpart F (commencing with Section 96.29) of Part 96 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(11) “Transitional shelter care facility” means any group care facility that provides for 24-hour nonmedical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual. Program components shall be subject to program standards developed by the State Department of Social Services pursuant to Section 1502.3.
(12) “Transitional housing placement facility” means a community care facility licensed by the department pursuant to Section 1559.110 to provide transitional housing opportunities to persons at least 17 years of age, and not more than 18 years of age unless the requirements of Section 11403 of the Welfare and Institutions Code are met, who are in out-of-home placement under the supervision of the county department of social services or the county probation department, and who are participating in an independent living program.
(b) “Department” or “state department” means the State Department of Social Services.
(c) “Director” means the Director of Social Services.
H&S Code § 1502.3.
For purposes of this chapter, a “community care facility,” pursuant to Section 1502, includes a transitional shelter care facility. A “transitional shelter care facility” means a short-term residential care program that meets all of the following requirements:
(a) It is owned by the county, and operated by the county or by a private nonprofit organization under contract to the county.
(b) It is a group care facility that provides for 24-hour nonmedical care of persons, under 18 years of age, who are in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance that is essential for sustaining the activities of daily living, or for the protection of the individual on a short-term basis. As used in this section, “short-term” means up to 90 days from the date of admission.
(c) It is for the sole purpose of providing care for children who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse or neglect, or both; for children who have been adjudged wards of the court; and, for children who are seriously emotionally disturbed children. For purposes of this subdivision, “abuse or neglect” means the same as defined in Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this subdivision, “wards of the court” means the same as defined in Section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this subdivision, “seriously emotionally disturbed children” means the same as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(d) It primarily serves children who have previously been placed in a community care facility and are awaiting placement into a different community care facility that is appropriate to their needs. Children residing in transitional shelter care facilities may include children who are very difficult to place in appropriate community care facilities because of factors which may be present in combination, including: threatening, aggressive, suicide, runaway or destructive behaviors and behaviors as defined in Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e) Based upon an agreement with the county, the licensee shall agree to accept, for placement into its transitional shelter care program, all children referred by the county.
(f) The licensee shall not discharge any child without the permission of the county, except when a child:
(1) Commits an unlawful act and the child must be detained in a juvenile institution.
(2) Requires either of the following:
(A) Physical health care in an acute care hospital.
(B) Mental health services in an acute psychiatric hospital.
(g) The licensee shall provide a program that is designed to be flexible enough to care for a highly variable population size and shall allow for the special needs of sibling groups.
H&S Code § 1502.4.
(a)
(1) A community care facility licensed as a group home for children pursuant to this chapter may accept for placement, and provide care and supervision to, a child assessed as seriously emotionally disturbed as long as the child does not need inpatient care in a licensed health facility.
(2) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) “Inpatient care in a licensed health facility” means care and supervision at a level greater than incidental medical services as specified in Section 1507.
(B) “Seriously emotionally disturbed” means the same as paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) If a child described in subdivision (a) is placed into a group home program classified at rate classification level 13 or rate classification level 14 pursuant to Section 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the licensee shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1) The licensee shall agree to accept, for placement into its group home program, only children who have been assessed as seriously emotionally disturbed by either of the following:
(A) An interagency placement committee, as described in Section 4096 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or by a licensed mental health professional, as defined in Sections 629 to 633, inclusive, of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations.
(B) A licensed mental health professional pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (i), or subdivision (j), of Section 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code if the child is privately placed or only county funded.
(2) The program is certified by the State Department of Mental Health, pursuant to Section 4096.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as a program that provides mental health treatment services for seriously emotionally disturbed children.
(c) The department shall not evaluate, or have any responsibility or liability with regard to the evaluation of, the mental health treatment services provided pursuant to this section and paragraph (3) of subdivision (f) of Section 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
H&S Code § 1502.5.
Notwithstanding Section 1502, residential care facilities for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2, shall not be considered community care facilities and shall be subject only to the California Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Act (Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 1569)).
H&S Code § 1502.6.
The department shall deny a private adoption agency a license, or revoke an existing private adoption agency license, unless the applicant or licensee demonstrates that it currently and continuously employs either an executive director or a supervisor who has had at least five years of full-time social work employment in the field of child welfare as described in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500) of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or Division 13 (commencing with Section 8500) of the Family Code, two years of which shall have been spent performing adoption social work services in either the department or a licensed California adoption agency.
H&S Code § 1503.
As used in this chapter, “license” means a basic permit to operate a community care facility. A license shall not be transferable.
H&S Code § 1503.5.
(a) A facility shall be deemed to be an “unlicensed community care facility” and “maintained and operated to provide nonmedical care” if it is unlicensed and not exempt from licensure and any one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(1) The facility is providing care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(2) The facility is held out as or represented as providing care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(3) The facility accepts or retains residents who demonstrate the need for care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(4) The facility represents itself as a licensed community care facility.
(5) The facility is performing any of the functions of a foster family agency or holding itself out as a foster family agency.
(6) The facility is performing any of the functions of an adoption agency or holding itself out as performing any of the functions of an adoption agency as specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 or subdivision (b) of Section 8900.5 of the Family Code.
(b) No unlicensed community care facility, as defined in subdivision (a), shall operate in this state.
(c) Upon discovery of an unlicensed community care facility, the department shall refer residents to the appropriate local or state ombudsman, or placement, adult protective services, or child protective services agency if either of the following conditions exist:
(1) There is an immediate threat to the clients’ health and safety.
(2) The facility will not cooperate with the licensing agency to apply for a license, meet licensing standards, and obtain a valid license.
H&S Code § 1504.
As used in this chapter, “special permit” means a permit issued by the state department authorizing a community care facility to offer specialized services as designated by the director in regulations. A special permit shall not be transferable.
H&S Code § 1504.5.
(a)
(1) This chapter does not apply to any independent living arrangement or supportive housing, described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), for individuals with disabilities who are receiving community living support services, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(2) This section does not affect the provisions of Section 1503.5 or 1505. (3) Community living support services described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) do not constitute care or supervision.
(b)
(1) The Legislature finds and declares that there is an urgent need to increase the access to supportive housing, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), and to foster community living support services, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), as an effective and cost-efficient method of serving persons with disabilities who wish to live independently.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that persons with disabilities be permitted to do both of the following:
(A) Receive one or more community living support services in the least restrictive setting possible, such as in a person’s private home or supportive housing residence.
(B) Voluntarily choose to receive support services in obtaining and maintaining supportive housing.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that community living support services, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), enable persons with disabilities to live more independently in the community for long periods of time.
(c)
(1) “Community living support services,” for purposes of this section, are voluntary and chosen by persons with disabilities in accordance with their preferences and goals for independent living. “Community living support services” may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(A) Supports that are designed to develop and improve independent living and problemsolving skills.
(B) Education and training in meal planning and shopping, budgeting and managing finances, medication self-management, transportation, vocational and educational development, and the appropriate use of community resources and leisure activities.
(C) Assistance with arrangements to meet the individual’s basic needs such as financial benefits, food, clothing, household goods, and housing, and locating and scheduling for appropriate medical, dental, and vision benefits and care.
(2) “Supportive housing,” for purposes of this section, is rental housing that has all of the following characteristics:
(A) It is affordable to people with disabilities.
(B) It is independent housing in which each tenant meets all of the following conditions: (i) Holds a lease or rental agreement in his or her own name and is responsible for paying his or her own rent. (ii) Has his or her own room or apartment and is individually responsible for arranging any shared tenancy.
(C) It is permanent, wherein each tenant may stay as long as he or she pays his or her share of rent and complies with the terms of his or her lease.
(D) It is tenancy housing under which supportive housing providers are required to comply with applicable state and federal laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship.
(E) Participation in services or any particular type of service is not required as a condition of tenancy.
(d) Counties may contract with agencies or individuals to assist persons with disabilities in securing their own homes and to provide persons with disabilities with the supports needed to live in their own homes, including supportive housing.
(e) For purposes of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual with disabilities may contract for the provision of any of the community support services specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) in the individual’s own home including supportive housing, as part of that individual’s service, care, or independent living plan, only through a government funded program or a private health or disability insurance plan.
(f) An individual’s receipt of community living support services as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall not be construed to mean that the individual requires care or supervision or is receiving care or supervision.
H&S Code § 1505.
This chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any health facility, as defined by Section 1250.
(b) Any clinic, as defined by Section 1202.
(c) Any juvenile placement facility approved by the California Youth Authority or any juvenile hall operated by a county.
(d) Any place in which a juvenile is judicially placed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 727 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e) Any child day care facility, as defined in Section 1596.750.
(f) Any facility conducted by and for the adherents of any well-recognized church or religious denomination for the purpose of providing facilities for the care or treatment of the sick who depend upon prayer or spiritual means for healing in the practice of the religion of the church or denomination.
(g) Any school dormitory or similar facility determined by the department.
(h) Any house, institution, hotel, homeless shelter, or other similar place that supplies board and room only, or room only, or board only, provided that no resident thereof requires any element of care as determined by the director.
(i) Recovery houses or other similar facilities providing group living arrangements for persons recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction where the facility provides no care or supervision.
(j) Any alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility as defined by Section 11834.11.
(k) Any arrangement for the receiving and care of persons by a relative or any arrangement for the receiving and care of persons from only one family by a close friend of the parent, guardian, or conservator, if the arrangement is not for financial profit and occurs only occasionally and irregularly, as defined by regulations of the department. For purposes of this chapter, arrangements for the receiving and care of persons by a relative shall include relatives of the child for the purpose of keeping sibling groups together.
(l)
(1) Any home of a relative caregiver of children who are placed by a juvenile court, supervised by the county welfare or probation department, and the placement of whom is approved according to subdivision (d) of Section 309 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2) Any home of a nonrelative extended family member, as described in Section 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, providing care to children who are placed by a juvenile court, supervised by the county welfare or probation department, and the placement of whom is approved according to subdivision (d) of Section 309 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(m) Any supported living arrangement for individuals with developmental disabilities as defined in Section 4689 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(n)
(1) Any family home agency, family home, or family teaching home as defined in Section 4689.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that is vendored by the State Department of Developmental Services and that does any of the following:
(A) As a family home approved by a family home agency, provides 24-hour care for one or two adults with developmental disabilities in the residence of the family home provider or providers and the family home provider or providers’ family, and the provider is not licensed by the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Health Services or certified by a licensee of the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Health Services.
(B) As a family teaching home approved by a family home agency, provides 24-hour care for a maximum of three adults with developmental disabilities in independent residences, whether contiguous or attached, and the provider is not licensed by the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Health Services or certified by a licensee of the State Department of Social Services or the State Department of Health Services.
(C) As a family home agency, engages in recruiting, approving, and providing support to family homes.
(2) No part of this subdivision shall be construed as establishing by implication either a family home agency or family home licensing category.
(o) Any facility in which only Indian children who are eligible under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, Chapter 21 (commencing with Section 1901) of Title 25 of the United States Code are placed and that is one of the following:
(1) An extended family member of the Indian child, as defined in Section 1903 of Title 25 of the United States Code.
(2) A foster home that is licensed, approved, or specified by the Indian child’s tribe pursuant to Section 1915 of Title 25 of the United States Code.
(p) Any housing for elderly or disabled persons, or both, that is approved and operated pursuant to Section 202 of Public Law 86-372 (12 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1701g), or Section 811 of Public Law 101-625 (42 U.S.C.A. Sec. 8013), or whose mortgage is insured pursuant to Section 236 of Public Law 90-448 (12 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1715z), or that receives mortgage assistance pursuant to Section 221d (3) of Public Law 87-70 (12 U.S.C.A. Sec. 17151), where supportive services are made available to residents at their option, as long as the project owner or operator does not contract for or provide the supportive services. The project owner or operator may coordinate, or help residents gain access to, the supportive services, either directly, or through a service coordinator.
(q) Any similar facility determined by the director.
H&S Code § 1505.2.
A licensing agency may authorize a foster family home to provide 24-hour care for up to eight foster children, for the purpose of placing siblings or half siblings together in foster care. This authorization may be granted only if all of the following conditions are met: (A) The foster family home is not a specialized foster care home as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 17710 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (B) The home is sufficient in size to accommodate the needs of all children in the home. (C) For each child to be placed, the child’s placement social worker has determined that the child’s needs will be met and has documented that determination. The licensing agency may authorize a foster family home to provide 24-hour care for more than eight children only if the foster family home specializes in the care of sibling groups, that placement is solely for the purpose of placing together one sibling group that exceeds eight children, and all of the above listed conditions are met.
H&S Code § 1505.5.
The director shall adopt regulations authorizing residential facilities, as defined in Section 1502, to fill unused capacity on a short-term, time-limited basis to provide temporary respite care for frail elderly persons, functionally impaired adults, or mentally disordered persons who need 24-hour supervision and who are being cared for by a caretaker or caretakers. The regulations shall address provisions for liability coverage and the level of facility responsibility for routine medical care and medication management, and may require screening of persons to determine the level of care required, a physical history completed by the person’s personal physician, and other alternative admission criteria to protect the health and safety of persons applying for respite care. The regulations shall permit these facilities to charge a fee for services provided, which shall include, but not be limited to, supervision, room, leisure activities, and meals. No facility shall accept persons in need of care beyond the level of care for which that facility is licensed.
H&S Code § 1506.
(a)
(1) Any holder of a valid license issued by the department that authorizes the licensee to engage in any foster family agency functions, may use only a certified family home that has been certified by that agency or a licensed foster family home approved for this use by the licensing county pursuant to Section 1506.5.
(2) Any home selected and certified for the reception and care of children by that licensee shall not, during the time it is certified and used only by that agency for these placements or care, be subject to Section 1508. A certified family home may not be concurrently licensed as a foster family home or as any other licensed residential facility.
(3) A child with a developmental disability who is placed in a certified family home by a foster family agency that is operating under agreement with the regional center responsible for that child may remain in the certified family home after the age of 18 years. The determination regarding whether and how long he or she may remain as a resident after the age of 18 years shall be made through the agreement of all parties involved, including the resident, the foster parent, the foster family agency social worker, the resident’s regional center case manager, and the resident’s parent, legal guardian, or conservator, as appropriate. This determination shall include a needs and service plan that contains an assessment of the child’s needs to ensure continued compatibility with the other children in placement. The needs and service plan shall be completed no more than six months prior to the child’s eighteenth birthday. The assessment shall be documented and maintained in the child’s file with the foster family agency.
(b)
(1) A foster family agency shall certify to the department that the home has met the department’s licensing standards. A foster family agency may require a family home to meet additional standards or be compatible with its treatment approach.
(2) The foster family agency shall issue a certificate of approval to the certified family home upon its determination that it has met the standards established by the department and before the placement of any child in the home. The certificate shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year. The annual recertification shall require a certified family home to complete at least 12 hours of structured applicable training or continuing education. At least one hour of training during the first six months following initial certification shall be dedicated to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 11174.1 of the Penal Code.
(3) If the agency determines that the home no longer meets the standards, it shall notify the department and the local placing agency.
(c) The department shall develop licensing regulations differentiating between foster family agencies that provide treatment of children in foster families and those that provide nontreatment services.
(d) As used in this chapter, “certified family home” means a family residence certified by a licensed foster family agency and issued a certificate of approval by that agency as meeting licensing standards, and used only by that foster family agency for placements.
(e)
(1) Requirements for social work personnel for a foster family agency shall be a master’s degree from an accredited or state approved graduate school in social work or social welfare, or equivalent education and experience, as determined by the state department.
(2) Persons who possess a master’s degree from an accredited or state approved graduate school in any of the following areas, or equivalent education and experience, as determined by the state department, shall be considered to be qualified to perform social work activities in a foster family agency:
(A) Marriage, family, and child counseling.
(B) Child psychology.
(C) Child development.
(D) Counseling psychology.
(E) Social psychology.
(F) Clinical psychology.
(G) Educational psychology, consistent with the scope of practice as described in Section 4986.10 of the Business and Professions Code.
(H) Education, with emphasis on counseling.
(f)
(1) In addition to the degree specifications in subdivision (e), all of the following coursework and field practice or experience, as defined in departmental regulations, shall be required of all new hires for the position of social work personnel effective January 1, 1995:
(A) At least three semester units of field practice at the master’ s level or six months’ full-time equivalent experience in a public or private social service agency setting.
(B) At least nine semester units of coursework related to human development or human behavior, or, within the first year of employment, experience working with children and families as a major responsibility of the position under the supervision of a supervising social worker.
(C) At least three semester units in working with minority populations or six months of experience in working with minority populations or training in cultural competency and working with minority populations within the first six months of employment as a condition of employment.
(D) At least three semester units in child welfare or at least six months of experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting for a nonsupervisory social worker. A supervising social worker shall have two years’ experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting.
(2)
(A) Persons who do not meet the requirements specified in subdivision (e) or (f) may apply for an exception as provided for in subdivisions (g) and (h).
(B) Exceptions granted by the department prior to January 1, 1995, shall remain in effect.
(3)
(A) Persons who are hired as social work personnel on or after January 1, 1995, who do not meet the requirements listed in this subdivision shall be required to successfully meet those requirements in order to be employed as social work personnel in a foster family agency.
(B) Employees who were hired prior to January 1, 1995, shall not be required to meet the requirements of this subdivision in order to remain employed as social work personnel in a foster family agency.
(4) Coursework and field practice or experience completed to fulfill the degree requirements of subdivision (e) may be used to satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
(g) Individuals seeking an exception to the requirements of subdivision (e) or (f) based on completion of equivalent education and experience shall apply to the department by the process established by the department.
(h) The State Department of Social Services shall be required to complete the process for the exception to minimum education and experience requirements described in subdivisions (e) and (f) within 30 days of receiving the exception application of social work personnel or supervising social worker qualifications from the foster family agency.
(i) The department shall review the feasibility of instituting a licensure category to cover foster homes that are established specifically to care for and supervise adults with developmental disabilities, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to prevent the institutionalization of those individuals.
(j) For purposes of this section, “social work personnel” means supervising social workers as well as nonsupervisory social workers.
H&S Code § 1506.5.
(a) Foster family agencies shall not use foster family homes licensed by a county without the approval of the licensing county. When approval is granted, a written agreement between the foster family agency and the county shall specify the nature of administrative control and case management responsibility and the nature and number of the children to be served in the home.
(b) Before a foster family agency may use a licensed foster family home it shall review and, with the exception of a new fingerprint clearance, qualify the home in accordance with Section 1506.
(c) When approval is given, and for the duration of the agreement permitting the foster family agency use of its licensed foster family home, no child shall be placed in that home except through the foster family agency.
(d) Nothing in this section shall transfer or eliminate the responsibility of the placing agency for the care, custody, or control of the child. Nothing in this section shall relieve a foster family agency of its responsibilities for or on behalf of a child placed with it.
(e)
(1) If an application to a foster family agency for a certificate of approval indicates, or the department determines during the application review process, that the applicant previously was issued a license under this chapter or under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1200), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), Chapter 3.01 (commencing with Section 1568.01), Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 1569), Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 1596.90), or Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 1597.30) and the prior license was revoked within the preceding two years, the foster family agency shall cease any further review of the application until two years have elapsed from the date of the revocation.
(2) If an application to a foster family agency for a certificate of approval indicates, or the department determines during the application review process, that the applicant previously was issued a certificate of approval by a foster family agency that was revoked by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1534 within the preceding two years, the foster family agency shall cease any further review of the application until two years have elapsed from the date of the revocation.
(3) If an application to a foster family agency for a certificate of approval indicates, or the department determines during the application review process, that the applicant was excluded from a facility licensed by the department pursuant to Section 1558, 1568.092, 1569.58, or 1596.8897, the foster family agency shall cease any further review of the application unless the excluded person has been reinstated pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code by the department.
(4) The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 1534 or any other law.
(f)
(1) If an application to a foster family agency for a certificate of approval indicates, or the department determines during the application review process, that the applicant had previously applied for a license under any of the chapters listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) and the application was denied within the last year, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application as follows:
(A) In cases where the applicant petitioned for a hearing, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application until one year has elapsed from the effective date of the decision and order of the department upholding a denial.
(B) In cases where the department informed the applicant of his or her right to petition for a hearing and the applicant did not petition for a hearing, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application until one year has elapsed from the date of the notification of the denial and the right to petition for a hearing.
(2) The foster family agency may continue to review the application if the department has determined that the reasons for the denial of the application were due to circumstances and a condition that either have been corrected or are no longer in existence.
(3) The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 1534 or any other law.
(g)
(1) If an application to a foster family agency for a certificate of approval indicates, or the department determines during the application review process, that the applicant had previously applied for a certificate of approval with a foster family agency and the department ordered the foster family agency to deny the application pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1534, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application as follows:
(A) In cases where the applicant petitioned for a hearing, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application until one year has elapsed from the effective date of the decision and order of the department upholding a denial.
(B) In cases where the department informed the applicant of his or her right to petition for a hearing and the applicant did not petition for a hearing, the foster family agency shall cease further review of the application until one year has elapsed from the date of the notification of the denial and the right to petition for a hearing.
(2) The foster family agency may continue to review the application if the department has determined that the reasons for the denial of the application were due to circumstances and conditions that either have been corrected or are no longer in existence.
(3) The cessation of review shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 1534 or any other law.
H&S Code § 1506.6.
It is the intent of the Legislature that public and private efforts to recruit foster parents not be competitive and that the total number of foster parents be increased. A foster family agency shall not certify a family home which is licensed by the department or a county. A licensed foster family home shall forfeit its license, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1524, concurrent with final certification by the foster family agency. The department or a county shall not license a family home that is certified by a foster family agency. A certified family home shall forfeit its certificate concurrent with final licensing by the department or a county.
H&S Code § 1506.7.
(a) A foster family agency shall require the owner or operator of a family home applying for certification to sign an application that shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
(1) Whether the applicant has been certified, and by which foster family agency.
(2) Whether the applicant has been decertified, and by which foster family agency.
(3) Whether a placement hold has been placed on the applicant by a foster family agency, and by which foster family agency.
(4) Whether the applicant has been a foster home licensed by a county or by the state and, if so, by which county or state, or whether the applicant has been approved for relative placement by a county and, if so, by which county.
(b)
(1) The application form signed by the owner or operator of the family home applying for certification shall contain notice to the applicant for certification that the foster family agency is required to check references of all foster family agencies that have previously certified the applicant and of all state or county licensing offices that have licensed the applicant as a foster parent, and that the signing of the application constitutes the authorization of the applicant for the foster family agency to conduct its check of references.
(2) The application form signed by the owner or operator of the family home applying for certification shall be signed with a declaration by the applicant that the information submitted is true, correct, and contains no material omissions of fact to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant. Any person who declares as true any material matter pursuant to this section that he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor. The application shall include a statement that submitting false information is a violation of law punishable by incarceration, a fine, or both incarceration and a fine.
H&S Code § 1506.8.
Before certifying a family home, a foster family agency shall contact any foster family agencies by whom an applicant has been previously certified and any state or county licensing offices that have licensed the applicant as a foster parent, and shall conduct a reference check as to the applicant.
H&S Code § 1506.9.
(a) No person shall incur civil liability as a result of providing the department with any of the following:
(1) The foster family agency providing to the department a log of family homes certified and decertified.
(2) The foster family agency notifying the department of its determination to decertify a certified family home due to any of the following actions by the certified family parent:
(A) Violating licensing rules and regulations.
(B) Aiding, abetting, or permitting the violation of licensing rules and regulations.
(C) Conducting oneself in a way that is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of a child placed in that certified family home.
(D) Being convicted of a crime while a certified family parent.
(E) Knowingly allowing any child to have illegal drugs or alcohol.
(F) Committing an act of child abuse or neglect or an act of violence against another person.
(b) Neither the department, a foster family agency, or a county shall incur civil liability for providing a county or a foster family agency with information if the communication is for the purpose of aiding in the evaluation of an application for certification of a family home by a foster family agency or for licensure as a foster home or approval of a relative placement by a county or by the department.
H&S Code § 1507.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, incidental medical services may be provided in a community care facility. If the medical services constitute a substantial component of the services provided by the community care facility as defined by the director in regulations, the medical services component shall be approved as set forth in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1200) or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250).
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the requirements of subdivision (c) are met, the department shall permit incidental medical services to be provided in community care facilities for adults by facility staff who are not licensed health care professionals but who are trained by a licensed health care professional and supervised according to the client’s individualized health care plan prepared pursuant to subdivision (c). Incidental medical services provided by trained facility staff for the following conditions shall be limited as follows:
(1) Colostomy and ileostomy: changing bags and cleaning stoma.
(2) Urinary catheter: emptying bags in day care facilities; emptying and changing bags in residential facilities.
(3) Gastrostomy: feeding, hydration, cleaning stoma, and adding medication per physician’s or nurse practitioner’s orders for the routine medication of patients with chronic, stable conditions.
(c) Facility staff may provide incidental medical services if the following conditions have been met:
(1) For regional center clients the following shall apply:
(A) An individualized health care plan, which may be part of a client’s individual program plan, shall be prepared for each client by a health care team that shall include the client or his or her designee if the client is not able to participate in planning his or her health care, the client’s primary care physician or nurse practitioner or other health care professional designated by the physician or nurse practitioner, the licensee or licensee’s designee, any involved social worker or regional center worker, and any health care professional designated to monitor the client’s individualized health care plan.
(B) The client’s individualized health care plan shall be reassessed at least every 12 months or more frequently as determined by the client’s physician or nurse practitioner during the time the client receives incidental medical services in the facility.
(C) The client’s regional center, primary care physician or nurse practitioner, or other health care professional designated by the physician or nurse practitioner shall identify the health care professional who shall be responsible for training facility staff in the provision of incidental medical services.
(D) Facility staff shall be trained by the identified health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice who shall monitor, according to the individualized health care plan, the staff’ s ability to provide incidental medical services and who shall review, correct, or update facility staff training as the health care professional deems necessary.
(E) The regional center or placing agency shall evaluate, monitor, and have responsibility for oversight of the incidental medical services provided in the facility by facility staff. However, nothing in this section shall preclude the department from taking an administrative action against a licensee or facility staff member for failure or refusal to carry out, or negligence in carrying out, his or her duties in providing these incidental medical services.
(2) For persons who are not regional center clients, the following shall apply:
(A) An individualized health care plan shall be prepared that includes the physician’s or nurse practitioner’s order for services to be provided during the time the client is in the day care facility. The plan shall be prepared by a team that includes the client or his or her designee if the client is not able to participate in planning his or her care, the client’s social worker, conservator, or legal guardian, as appropriate, a licensed health care professional, and the licensee or the licensee’s designee.
(B) The client’s individualized health care plan shall be reassessed at least every 12 months or more frequently as determined by the client’s physician or nurse practitioner during the time the client receives incidental medical services in the facility.
(C) A licensed health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice shall train the staff of the facility on procedures for caring for clients who require incidental medical services and shall periodically review, correct, or update facility staff training as the health care professional deems necessary.
(d) Facilities providing incidental medical services shall remain in substantial compliance with all other applicable regulations of the department.
(e) The department shall adopt emergency regulations for community care facilities for adults by February 1, 1997, to do all of the following:
(1) Specify incidental medical services that may be provided. These incidental medical services shall include, but need not be limited to, any of the following: gastrostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, and urinary catheters.
(2) Specify the conditions under which incidental medical services may be provided.
(3) Specify the medical services that, due to the level of care required, are prohibited services.
(f) The department shall consult with the State Department of Developmental Services, the State Department of Mental Health, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, and provider associations in the development of the regulations required by subdivision (e).
H&S Code § 1507.1.
(a) An adult community care facility may permit incidental medical services to be provided through a home health agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1725) when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The facility, in the judgment of the department, has the ability to provide the supporting care and supervision appropriate to meet the needs of the client receiving care from a home health agency.
(2) The home health agency has been advised of the regulations pertaining to adult community care facilities and the requirements related to incidental medical services being provided in the facility.
(3) There is evidence of an agreed-upon protocol between the home health agency and the adult community care facility. The protocol shall address areas of responsibility of the home health agency and the adult community care facility and the need for communication and the sharing of client information related to the home health care plan. Client information may be shared between the home health agency and the adult community care facility relative to the client’s medical condition and the care and treatment provided to the client by the home health agency, including, but not limited to, medical information defined by the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 56) of Division 1 of the Civil Code.
(4) There is ongoing communication between the home health agency and the adult community care facility about the services provided to the client by the home health agency and the frequency and duration of care to be provided.
(b) Nothing in this section is intended to expand the scope of care and supervision for an adult community care facility, as prescribed by this chapter.
(c) Nothing in this section shall require any care or supervision to be provided by the adult community care facility beyond that which is permitted in this chapter.
(d) The department shall not be responsible for the evaluation of medical services provided to the client of the adult community care facility by the home health agency.
(e) Any regulations, policies, or procedures related to sharing client information and development of protocols, established by the department pursuant to this section, shall be developed in consultation with the State Department of Health Services and persons representing home health agencies and adult community care facilities.
H&S Code § 1507.2.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a child with special health care needs, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 17710 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, may be accepted in a specialized foster care home, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 17710 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or retained beyond the age of 18, in accordance with Part 5.5 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to children with special health care needs. If the facility accepts a child with special health care needs, or retains a child with special health care needs beyond the age of 18 years, the facility shall maintain all documents required as evidence of compliance with Part 5.5 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code in the files of the facility that are available for inspection by the certifying or licensing agency.
H&S Code § 1507.25.
(a)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person described in paragraph (2), who is not a licensed health care professional, but who is trained to administer injections by a licensed health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice, may administer emergency medical assistance and injections for severe diabetic hypoglycemia and anaphylactic shock to a foster child in placement.
(2) The following individuals shall be authorized to administer emergency medical assistance and injections in accordance with this subdivision:
(A) A relative caregiver.
(B) A nonrelative extended family member.
(C) A foster family home parent.
(D) A small family home parent.
(E) A certified parent of a foster family agency.
(F) A substitute caregiver of a foster family home or a certified family home.
(G) A direct care staff member of a small family home or a group home.
(3) The licensed health care professional shall periodically review, correct, or update training provided pursuant to this section as he or she deems necessary and appropriate.
(b)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person described in paragraph (2), who is not a licensed health care professional, but who is trained to administer injections by a licensed health care professional practicing within his or her scope of practice, may administer subcutaneous injections of other medications, including insulin, as prescribed by the child’s physician, to a foster child in placement.
(2) The following individuals shall be authorized to give prescribed injections including insulin in accordance with this subdivision:
(A) A relative caregiver.
(B) A nonrelative extended family member.
(C) A foster family home parent.
(D) A small family home parent.
(E) A certified parent of a foster family agency.
(F) In the absence of a foster parent, a designated substitute caregiver in a foster family home or a certified family home.
(3) The licensed health care professional shall periodically review, correct, or update training provided pursuant to this section as he or she deems necessary and appropriate.
(c) For purposes of this section, administration of an insulin injection shall include all necessary supportive activities related to the preparation and administration of injection, including glucose testing and monitoring. (d) Notwithstanding Part 5.5 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 9 of, and particularly subdivision (g) of Section 17710 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, a child’s need to receive injections pursuant to this section shall not be the sole basis for determining that the child has a medical condition requiring specialized in-home health care. (e) This section does not supersede the requirements of Section 369.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, with respect to the administration of psychotropic medication to a dependent child of the court.
H&S Code § 1507.3.
(a) A residential facility that provides care to adults may obtain a waiver from the department for the purpose of allowing a resident who has been diagnosed as terminally ill by his or her physician or surgeon to remain in the facility, or allowing a person who has been diagnosed as terminally ill by his or her physician and surgeon to become a resident of the facility if that person is already receiving hospice services and would continue to receive hospice services without disruption if he or she became a resident, when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The facility agrees to retain the terminally ill resident, or accept as a resident the terminally ill person, and to seek a waiver on behalf of the individual, provided the individual has requested the waiver and is capable of deciding to obtain hospice services.
(2) The terminally ill resident, or the terminally ill person to be accepted as a resident, has obtained the services of a hospice certified in accordance with federal medicare conditions of participation and licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1725) or Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 1745).
(3) The facility, in the judgment of the department, has the ability to provide care and supervision appropriate to meet the needs of the terminally ill resident, or the terminally ill person to be accepted as a resident, and is in substantial compliance with regulations governing the operation of residential facilities that provide care to adults.
(4) The hospice has agreed to design and provide for care, services, and necessary medical intervention related to the terminal illness as necessary to supplement the care and supervision provided by the facility.
(5) An agreement has been executed between the facility and the hospice regarding the care plan for the terminally ill resident, or the terminally ill person to be accepted as a resident. The care plan shall designate the primary caregiver, identify other caregivers, and outline the tasks the facility is responsible for performing and the approximate frequency with which they shall be performed. The care plan shall specifically limit the facility’s role for care and supervision to those tasks authorized for a residential facility under this chapter.
(6) The facility has obtained the agreement of those residents who share the same room with the terminally ill resident, or any resident who will share a room with the terminally ill person to be accepted as a resident, to allow the hospice caregivers into their residence.
(b) At any time that the licensed hospice, the facility, or the terminally ill resident determines that the resident’s condition has changed so that continued residence in the facility will pose a threat to the health and safety of the terminally ill resident or any other resident, the facility may initiate procedures for a transfer.
(c) A facility that has obtained a hospice waiver from the department pursuant to this section, or an Adult Residential Facility for Persons with Special Health Care Needs (ARFPSHN) licensed pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1567.50), need not call emergency response services at the time of a life-threatening emergency if the hospice agency is notified instead and all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The resident is receiving hospice services from a licensed hospice agency.
(2) The resident has completed an advance directive, as defined in Section 4605 of the Probate Code, requesting to forego resuscitative measures.
(3) The facility has documented that facility staff have received training from the hospice agency on the expected course of the resident’s illness and the symptoms of impending death.
(d) Nothing in this section is intended to expand the scope of care and supervision for a residential facility, as defined in this chapter, that provides care to adults nor shall a facility be required to alter or extend its license in order to retain a terminally ill resident, or allow a terminally ill person to become a resident of the facility, as authorized by this section.
(e) Nothing in this section shall require any care or supervision to be provided by the residential facility beyond that which is permitted in this chapter.
(f) Nothing in this section is intended to expand the scope of life care contracts or the contractual obligation of continuing care retirement communities as defined in Section 1771.
(g) The department shall not be responsible for the evaluation of medical services provided to the resident by the hospice and shall have no liability for the independent acts of the hospice.
(h) The department, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, shall develop and expedite implementation of regulations related to residents who have been diagnosed as terminally ill who remain in the facility and who are nonambulatory that ensure resident safety but also provide flexibility to allow residents to remain in the least restrictive environment.
(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve a licensed residential facility that provides care to adults of its responsibility, for purposes of allowing a resident who has been diagnosed as terminally ill to remain in the facility, to do both of the following:
(1) With regard to any resident who is bedridden, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1566.45, to, within 48 hours of the resident’s retention in the facility, notify the local fire authority with jurisdiction in the bedridden resident’s location of the estimated length of time the resident will retain his or her bedridden status in the facility.
(2) Secure a fire clearance approval from the city or county fire department, fire district, or any other local agency providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal, whichever has primary fire protection jurisdiction.
(j) The requirement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) to obtain a waiver, and the requirement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) to notify the local fire authority, shall not apply to a facility licensed as an ARFPSHN pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1567.50).
H&S Code § 1507.5.
(a) In-home medical care and home and community-based services, as described in subdivisions (t) and (u) of Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, may, when deemed medically appropriate by the State Department of Health Services, be provided by a licensed home health agency to children with special medical needs, as defined by the State Department of Health Services, in foster family homes. For children described in this section, these medical services shall not be considered as a substantial component of the services provided by the licensee for the purposes of Section 1507. To be eligible under this section for placement in a foster home, a child shall be receiving medical supervision and medical case management by an agent designated by the State Department of Health Services.
(b) No more than two children eligible for services under this section may be placed in a single licensed foster family home at one time.
(c) The State Department of Social Services and its agents shall not evaluate or have any responsibility or liability for the evaluation of the medical services described in this section.
H&S Code § 1507.6.
Mental health services, as deemed necessary by the placing agency, may be provided to children in a group home. Except for the physical safety and direct care and supervision of children so placed, the State Department of Social Services and its agents shall not evaluate or have responsibility or liability for the evaluation of mental health services provided in those homes. Supervision of mental health treatment services provided to a child in a group home shall be a case management responsibility of the placing agency.
H&S Code § 1508.
No person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation within the state and no state or local public agency shall operate, establish, manage, conduct, or maintain a community care facility in this state, without a current valid license therefor as provided in this chapter. No person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation within the state and no state or local public agency shall provide specialized services within a community care facility in this state, without a current valid special permit therefor as provided in this chapter. Except for a juvenile hall operated by a county, or a public recreation program, this section applies to community care facilities directly operated by a state or local public agency. Each community care facility operated by a state or local public agency shall comply with the standards established by the director for community care facilities. As used in this chapter, “local public agency” means a city, county, special district, school district, community college district, chartered city, or chartered city and county.
H&S Code § 1509.
The state department shall inspect and license community care facilities, except as otherwise provided in Section 1508. The state department shall inspect and issue a special permit to a community care facility to provide specialized services.
H&S Code § 1509.5.
(a) The department and the licensing agencies with which it contracts for licensing shall review and make a final determination within 60 days of an applicant’s submission of a complete application on all applications for a license to operate a community care facility if the applicant possesses a current valid license to operate a community care facility at another site. Applicants shall note on the application, or in a cover letter to the application, that they possess a current valid license at another site, and the number of that license.
(b) The department shall request a fire safety clearance from the appropriate fire marshal within five days of receipt of an application described in subdivision (a). The applicant shall be responsible for requesting and obtaining the required criminal record clearances.
(c) If the department for any reason is unable to comply with subdivision (a), it shall, within 60 days of receipt of the application described in subdivision (a), grant a provisional license to the applicant to operate for a period not to exceed six months, except as provided in subdivision (d). While the provisional license is in effect, the department shall continue its investigation and make a final determination on the application before the provisional license expires. The provisional license shall be granted, provided the department knows of no life safety risks, the criminal records clearances, if applicable, are complete, and the fire safety clearance is complete. The director may extend the term of a provisional license for an additional six months at the time of the application, if the director determines that more than six months will be required to achieve full compliance with licensing standards due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and if all other requirements for a license have been met.
(d) If the department does not issue a provisional license pursuant to subdivision (c), the department shall issue a notice to the applicant identifying whether the provisional license has not been issued due to the existence of a life safety risk, lack of a fire safety clearance, lack of a criminal records clearance, failure to complete the application, or any combination of these reasons. If a life safety risk is identified, the risk preventing the issuance of the provisional license shall be clearly explained. If a lack of the fire safety clearance is identified, the notice shall include the dates on which the department requested the clearance and the current status of that request, and the fire marshal’s name and telephone number to whom a fire safety clearance request was sent. The department shall identify the names of individuals for whom criminal records clearances are lacking. If failure to complete the application is identified, the notice shall list all of the forms or attachments that are missing or incorrect. This notice shall be sent to the applicant no later than 60 days after the applicant filed the application. If the reasons identified in the notice are corrected, the department shall issue the provisional license within five days after the corrections are made.
(e) The department shall, immediately after January 1, 1993, develop expedited procedures necessary to implement subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (d).
(f) The department shall, immediately after January 1, 1993, develop an appeal procedure for applicants under this section for both denial of licenses and delay in processing applications.
H&S Code § 1510.
The state department may provide consulting services upon request to any community care facility to assist in the identification or correction of deficiencies and in the upgrading of the quality of care provided by such community care facility.
H&S Code § 1511.
The state department may contract for state, county, or other public agencies to assume specified licensing, approval, or consultation responsibilities. In exercising the authority so delegated, such agencies shall conform to the requirements of this chapter and to the rules, regulations, and standards of the state department. The state department shall reimburse agencies for services performed pursuant to this section, and such payments shall not exceed actual cost. If any grants-in-aid are made by the federal government for the support of any inspection or consultation service approved by the state department, the amount of the federal grant shall first be applied to defer the cost of the service before state reimbursement is made.
H&S Code § 1512.
Each residential community care facility shall state, on its client information form or admission agreement, and on its patient’s rights form, the facility’s policy concerning family visits and other communication with resident clients and shall, except as otherwise provided in this section, promptly post notice of its visiting policy at a location in the facility that is accessible to residents and families. The requirement that a facility post notice of the facility’s visiting policy does not apply to any facility serving six or fewer clients. The community care facility’s policy concerning family visits and communication shall be designed to encourage regular family involvement with the resident client and shall provide ample opportunities for family participation in activities at the facility.
H&S Code § 1512.5.
(a) No residential facility may prohibit the formation of a family council, and, when requested by a member of the resident’s family or the resident’s responsible party, the family council shall be allowed to meet in a common meeting room of the facility during mutually agreed upon hours.
(b) Facility policies on family councils shall in no way limit the right of residents and family members to meet independently with outside persons, including members of nonprofit or government organizations or with facility personnel during nonworking hours.
(c) “Family council” for the purpose of this section means a meeting of family members, friends, responsible parties, or agents as defined in Section 14110.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of two or more patients to confer in private without facility staff.
(d) Family councils shall also be provided adequate space on a prominent bulletin board or other posting area for the display of meeting notices, minutes, and newsletters.
H&S Code § 1513.
No license or special permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall have any property value for sale or exchange purposes and no person, including any owner, agent, or broker, shall sell or exchange any license or special permit for any commercial purpose.
H&S Code § 1514.
(a) Each residential care facility licensed under this chapter shall reveal its license number in all advertisements, publications, or announcements made with the intent to attract clients or residents.
(b) Advertisements, publications, or announcements subject to the requirements of subdivision (a) shall include, but are not limited to, those contained in the following:
(1) Newspaper or magazine.
(2) Consumer report.
(3) Announcement of intent to commence business.
(4) Telephone directory yellow pages.
(5) Professional or service directory.
(6) Radio or television commercial.
H&S Code § 1515.
The department shall authorize county welfare departments to undertake comprehensive recruitment programs, including but not limited to media advertising, public awareness campaigns and public speaking engagements to ensure an adequate number of foster homes are available to meet the child welfare placement needs in each county.
In counties in which the county has contracted with the state to license foster parents, if the county undertakes a recruitment program, it shall be done by the placement agency. The state shall not be required to perform any acts in connection with a recruitment program.
H&S Code § 1516.
(a) For purposes of this chapter, “crisis nursery” means a facility licensed by the department pursuant to subdivision (j) to provide short-term, 24-hour nonmedical residential care and supervision for children under six years of age, who are either voluntarily placed for temporary care by a parent or legal guardian due to a family crisis or a stressful situation, for no more than 30 days or, except as provided in subdivision (e), who are temporarily placed by a county child welfare service agency for no more than 14 days.
(b) Crisis nurseries shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis by private nonprofit corporations or nonprofit public benefit corporations.
(c) “Voluntary placement,” for purposes of this section, means a child, who is not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care, placed by a parent or legal guardian who retains physical custody of, and remains responsible for, the care of his or her children who are placed for temporary emergency care, as described in subdivision (a).
(d) A crisis nursery may also provide temporary emergency care to children under six years of age who have been taken into the protective custody of, or are placed directly by, the county child welfare services system that has assumed responsibility for the care of the children.
(e) County placements, as described in subdivision (d), shall be limited to no more than one-third of a crisis nursery’s licensed capacity. The length of stay for a county-placed child shall not exceed 14 days unless the State Department of Social Services issues an exception.
(f)
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the maximum licensed capacity for crisis nursery programs shall be 14.
(2) Any facility licensed on or before January 1, 2004, as a group home for children under the age of six years with a licensed capacity greater than 14, but less than 21, that provides crisis nursery services shall be allowed to retain its capacity if issued a crisis nursery license until the time there is a change in the licensee’s program, location, or client population.
(g)
(1) Each crisis nursery shall submit, in a format specified by the department, a monthly report indicating the total number of children placed in the program, designating whether each child is voluntarily placed by the parents or legal guardians or placed directly by county child welfare services and the length of stay and age for each child.
(2) Each crisis nursery that accepts children placed directly by a county child welfare services agency also shall annually provide a summary report to the department within 60 days of the subsequent calender year. This report shall indicate the total number of children placed directly by a county child welfare services agency, the length of stay and age for each child, the average length of stay for all of the children placed directly by the county, and the reasons given by the county for the use of the crisis nursery for these children.
(3) When placing a child in a crisis nursery, a county child welfare agency shall inform the crisis nursery of the reason for the selection of the crisis nursery as the placement choice.
(h) Notwithstanding Section 1596.80, a crisis nursery may provide child day care services for children under the age of six years at the same site as the crisis nursery. A child may not receive child day care services at a crisis nursery for more than 30 calendar days in a six-month period unless the department issues an exception. A child who is receiving child day care services shall be counted in the licensed capacity. A child who is receiving child day care services, and who is a county placement, as described in subdivision (d), shall be counted in the limitation on county placements specified in subdivision (e).
(i) Exceptions to group home licensing regulations pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 84200 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, in effect on August 1, 2004, for county-operated or county-contracted emergency shelter care facilities that care for children under the age of six years for no more than 30 days, shall be contained in regulations for crisis nurseries.
(j) The department may issue a license pursuant to this section only to a facility that meets one of the following conditions:
(1) The facility is operating, or has an application on file with the department to operate as of September 1, 2004, as a group home for children under six years of age in any of the following counties:
(A) Contra Costa. (B) Nevada. (C) Placer. (D) Sacramento. (E) San Joaquin. (F) Stanislaus. (G) Yolo.
(2) The facility, pursuant to standards developed by the department by regulation, meets an urgent, significant, and unmet need for temporary respite care of children under the age of six years.
(3) The facility offers temporary emergency shelter and services only to children under the age of six years who are voluntarily placed by a parent or guardian, as set forth in subdivision (c), and the facility does not accept county placements, as set forth in subdivision (d).
(k) This section shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2011, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before July 1, 2011, deletes or extends that date.
H&S Code § 1518.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the imposition of rent regulations or controls for licensed community care facilities.
(b) Licensed community care facilities shall not be subject to controls on rent imposed by any state or local agency or other local government or entity.
