BILL NUMBER: SB 868 CHAPTERED 10/10/07 CHAPTER 447 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 10, 2007 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 10, 2007 PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 2, 2007 INTRODUCED BY Senator Ridley-Thomas FEBRUARY 23, 2007 An act to amend Sections 12301.6 and 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 868, Ridley-Thomas. In-home supportive services: criminal background checks. Existing law provides for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, under which qualified aged, blind, and disabled persons receive services enabling them to remain in their own homes. Existing law permits services to be provided under the IHSS program either through the employment of individual providers, a contract between the county and an entity for the provision of services, the creation by the county of a public authority, or a contract between the county and a nonprofit consortium. Under existing law, the functions of a nonprofit consortium contracting with the county, or a public authority established for this purpose, include investigating the qualifications and background of potential personnel. This bill would authorize the investigation of certain potential personnel by a nonprofit consortium or public authority to include criminal background checks conducted by the Department of Justice upon the request of the nonprofit consortium or public authority. The bill would require the public authority or nonprofit consortium to deny a potential provider's request to be placed on the registry for providing supportive services to a recipient of the In-Home Supportive Services program if the criminal background check reveals that the person has been convicted of specified offenses. The bill would also prohibit a fee from being charged to a provider, potential personnel, or a recipient to cover any cost related to administering requirements with respect to an investigation, or the costs to certain entities for processing a criminal background check, under these provisions. This bill would provide that it is not to be construed to prohibit the Department of Justice from assessing a fee to cover the cost of furnishing summary criminal history information pursuant to existing law. The bill would further provide that, upon verification that at least 50% of the public authority or nonprofit consortium list of registry applicants have received a criminal background check, the county may request reimbursement for the non-federal share of cost associated with the criminal background check, as provided. The bill would also, to extent that an appropriation is made for this purpose, authorize a nonprofit consortium or public authority to, upon request of a recipient of in-home supportive services, or personal care services under the Medi-Cal program, provide a criminal background check on a non-registry applicant or provider from the Department of Justice. The bill would also impose various duties and conditions related to the provision of a criminal background check on a non-registry applicant or provider. Existing law requires the Department of Justice to secure a criminal record to determine whether a person has been convicted or incarcerated within the last 10 years for a sex offense against a minor, or for a violation of other prescribed crimes, including any felony, and to provide a subsequent arrest notification, as provided, if an employer of the person requests the determination and submits fingerprints of the person to the department and the person is unlicensed and provides nonmedical domestic or personal care to an aged or disabled adult in the adult's own home. Existing law defines "employer" for purposes of these provisions to include, but not be limited to, an IHSS recipient and any recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program. This bill would revise the definition of "employer" to also include a public authority or nonprofit consortium. Existing law requires the department to charge a fee to the employer to cover the cost of administering the background checks pursuant to these provisions. This bill would require, if the employer is an in-home supportive services recipient, a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program, or a public authority or nonprofit consortium, the fee to be shared by the county and the state in accordance with a specified ratio. This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 12301.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 182, to be operative only if AB 182 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2008, and this bill is chaptered last. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 12301.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 12301.6. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 12302 and 12302.1, a county board of supervisors may, at its option, elect to do either of the following: (1) Contract with a nonprofit consortium to provide for the delivery of in-home supportive services. (2) Establish, by ordinance, a public authority to provide for the delivery of in-home supportive services. (b) (1) To the extent that a county elects to establish a public authority pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the enabling ordinance shall specify the membership of the governing body of the public authority, the qualifications for individual members, the manner of appointment, selection, or removal of members, how long they shall serve, and other matters as the board of supervisors deems necessary for the operation of the public authority. (2) A public authority established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be both of the following: (A) An entity separate from the county, and shall be required to file the statement required by Section 53051 of the Government Code. (B) A corporate public body, exercising public and essential governmental functions and that has all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the delivery of in-home supportive services, including the power to contract for services pursuant to Sections 12302 and 12302.1 and that makes or provides for direct payment to a provider chosen by the recipient for the purchase of services pursuant to Sections 12302 and 12302.2. Employees of the public authority shall not be employees of the county for any purpose. (3) (A) As an alternative, the enabling ordinance may designate the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority. (B) Any enabling ordinance that designates the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority shall also specify that no fewer than 50 percent of the membership of the advisory committee shall be individuals who are current or past users of personal assistance services paid for through public or private funds or recipients of services under this article. (C) If the enabling ordinance designates the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority, it shall also require the appointment of an advisory committee of not more than 11 individuals who shall be designated in accordance with subparagraph (B). (D) Prior to making designations of committee members pursuant to subparagraph (C), or governing body members in accordance with paragraph (4), the board of supervisors shall solicit recommendations of qualified members of either the governing body of the public authority or of any advisory committee through a fair and open process that includes the provision of reasonable written notice to, and a reasonable response time by, members of the general public and interested persons and organizations. (4) If the enabling ordinance does not designate the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority, the enabling ordinance shall require the membership of the governing body to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3). (c) (1) Any public authority created pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients under paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) within the meaning of Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code. Recipients shall retain the right to hire, fire, and supervise the work of any in-home supportive services personnel providing services to them. (2) (A) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) for the purposes of collective bargaining over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. (B) Recipients shall retain the right to hire, fire, and supervise the work of any in-home supportive services personnel providing services for them. (d) A public authority established pursuant to this section or a nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section, when providing for the delivery of services under this article by contract in accordance with Sections 12302 and 12302.1 or by direct payment to a provider chosen by a recipient in accordance with Sections 12302 and 12302.2, shall comply with and be subject to, all statutory and regulatory provisions applicable to the respective delivery mode. (e) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority established pursuant to this section shall provide for all of the following functions under this article, but shall not be limited to those functions: (1) The provision of assistance to recipients in finding in-home supportive services personnel through the establishment of a registry. (2) (A) (i) The investigation of the qualifications and background of potential personnel. The investigation may, with respect to any prospective registry applicant who is not employed before January 1, 2008, include criminal background checks requested by the nonprofit consortium or public authority and conducted by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 15660, for those public authorities or nonprofit consortia using the agencies on January 1, 2008. (ii) Upon notice from the Department of Justice notifying the public authority or nonprofit consortium that the prospective registry applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense specified in Section 12305.81, the public authority or nonprofit consortium shall deny the request to be placed on the registry for providing supportive services to any recipient of the In-Home Supportive Services program. (B) If an applicant is rejected as a result of information contained in the criminal background report, the applicant shall be advised in writing of his or her right to request a copy of his or her own criminal history record from the Department of Justice, as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, to review the information for accuracy and completeness. The applicant shall be advised that if, upon review of his or her own criminal history record he or she finds the information to be inaccurate or incomplete, the applicant shall have the right to submit a formal challenge to the Department of Justice to contest the criminal background report. (C) An applicant shall be informed of his or her right to a waiver of the fee for obtaining a copy of a criminal history record, and of how to submit a claim and proof of indigency, as required by Section 11123 of the Penal Code. (D) No fee shall be charged to a provider, potential personnel, or service recipient to cover any costs of administering this paragraph, or the cost to the Department of Justice or any law enforcement agency for processing the criminal background check. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the Department of Justice from assessing a fee pursuant to Section 11105 or 11123 of the Penal Code to cover the cost of furnishing summary criminal history information. A public authority or nonprofit consortium shall not seek reimbursement unless the conditions described in subparagraph (F) are met. (E) As used in this section, "nonprofit consortium" means a nonprofit public benefit corporation that has all powers necessary to carry out the delivery of in-home supportive services under the delegated authority of a government entity. (F) (i) Upon verification that at least 50 percent of the public authority or nonprofit consortium list of registry applicants have received a criminal background check, the county may request reimbursement for the non-federal share of cost associated with the criminal fingerprint record check in accordance to the fiscal claiming methodology. (ii) The public authority or nonprofit consortium shall provide a report to the State Department of Social Services on the number of prospective registry applicants that have been referred to the Department of Justice for a criminal background check. (iii) The Department of Justice shall provide verification to the State Department of Social Services on the number of prospective registry applicants that have completed a criminal background check. (3) Establishment of a referral system under which in-home supportive services personnel shall be referred to recipients. (4) Providing for training for providers and recipients. (5) (A) Performing any other functions related to the delivery of in-home supportive services. (B) (i) Upon request of a recipient of in-home supportive services pursuant to this chapter, or a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14132.95, a public authority or nonprofit consortium may provide a criminal background check on a non-registry applicant or provider from the Department of Justice, in accordance with clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e). If the person who is the subject of the criminal background check is not hired or is terminated because of the information contained in the criminal background report, the provisions of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) shall apply. (ii) A recipient of in-home supportive services pursuant to this chapter or a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program may elect to employ an individual as their service provider notwithstanding the individual's record of previous criminal convictions, unless those convictions include any of the offenses specified in Section 12305.81. (6) Ensuring that the requirements of the personal care option pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code are met. (f) (1) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority created pursuant to this section shall be deemed not to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients under this section for purposes of liability due to the negligence or intentional torts of the in-home supportive services personnel. (2) In no case shall a nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority created pursuant to this section be held liable for action or omission of any in-home supportive services personnel whom the nonprofit consortium or public authority did not list on its registry or otherwise refer to a recipient. (3) Counties and the state shall be immune from any liability resulting from their implementation of this section in the administration of the In-Home Supportive Services program. Any obligation of the public authority or consortium pursuant to this section, whether statutory, contractual, or otherwise, shall be the obligation solely of the public authority or nonprofit consortium, and shall not be the obligation of the county or state. (g) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section shall ensure that it has a governing body that complies with the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) or an advisory committee that complies with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b). (h) Recipients of services under this section may elect to receive services from in-home supportive services personnel who are not referred to them by the public authority or nonprofit consortium. Those personnel shall be referred to the public authority or nonprofit consortium for the purposes of wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. (i) (1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the state's responsibility with respect to the state payroll system, unemployment insurance, or workers' compensation and other provisions of Section 12302.2 for providers of in-home supportive services. (2) The Controller shall make any deductions from the wages of in-home supportive services personnel, who are employees of a public authority pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), that are agreed to by that public authority in collective bargaining with the designated representative of the in-home supportive services personnel pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code and transfer the deducted funds as directed in that agreement. (3) Any county that elects to provide in-home supportive services pursuant to this section shall be responsible for any increased costs to the in-home supportive services case management, information, and payrolling system attributable to that election. The department shall collaborate with any county that elects to provide in-home supportive services pursuant to this section prior to implementing the amount of financial obligation for which the county shall be responsible. (j) To the extent permitted by federal law, personal care option funds, obtained pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, along with matching funds using the state and county sharing ratio established in subdivision (c) of Section 12306, or any other funds that are obtained pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, may be used to establish and operate an entity authorized by this section. (k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county, in exercising its option to establish a public authority, shall not be subject to competitive bidding requirements. However, contracts entered into by either the county, a public authority, or a nonprofit consortium pursuant to this section shall be subject to competitive bidding as otherwise required by law. () (1) The department may adopt regulations implementing this section as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For the purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of the regulations shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, these emergency regulations shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Office of Administrative Law. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (h) of Section 11346.1 and Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the department shall transmit these regulations directly to the Secretary of State for filing. The regulations shall become effective immediately upon filing by the Secretary of State. (3) Except as otherwise provided for by Section 10554, the Office of Administrative Law shall provide for the printing and publication of these regulations in the California Code of Regulations. Emergency regulations adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days. (m) (1) In the event that a county elects to form a nonprofit consortium or public authority pursuant to subdivision (a) before the State Department of Health Care Services has obtained all necessary federal approvals pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 14132.95, all of the following shall apply: (A) Subdivision (d) shall apply only to those matters that do not require federal approval. (B) The second sentence of subdivision (h) shall not be operative. (C) The nonprofit consortium or public authority shall not provide services other than those specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (e). (2) Paragraph (1) shall become inoperative when the State Department of Health Care Services has obtained all necessary federal approvals pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 14132.95. (n) (1) One year after the effective date of the first approval by the department granted to the first public authority, the Bureau of State Audits shall commission a study to review the performance of that public authority. (2) The study shall be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor not later than two years after the effective date of the approval specified in subdivision (a). The study shall give special attention to the health and welfare of the recipients under the public authority, including the degree to which all required services have been delivered, out-of-home placement rates, prompt response to recipient complaints, and any other issue the director deems relevant. (3) The report shall make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor for any changes to this section that will further ensure the well-being of recipients and the most efficient delivery of required services. (o) Commencing July 1, 1997, the department shall provide annual reports to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on the efficacy of the implementation of this section, and shall include an assessment of the quality of care provided pursuant to this section. (p) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in paragraph (2), the department shall, no later than January 1, 2009, implement subparagraphs (A) and (B) through an all county letter from the director: (A) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e). (B) Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (e). (2) The department shall, no later than July 1, 2009, adopt regulations to implement subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1). (q) The amendments made to paragraphs (2) and (5) of subdivision (e) made by the act that added this subdivision during the 2007-08 Regular Session of the Legislature shall only be implemented to the extent that an appropriation is made in the annual Budget Act or other statute. SEC. 1.5. Section 12301.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 12301.6. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 12302 and 12302.1, a county board of supervisors may, at its option, elect to do either of the following: (1) Contract with a nonprofit consortium to provide for the delivery of in-home supportive services. (2) Establish, by ordinance, a public authority to provide for the delivery of in-home supportive services. (b) (1) To the extent that a county elects to establish a public authority pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the enabling ordinance shall specify the membership of the governing body of the public authority, the qualifications for individual members, the manner of appointment, selection, or removal of members, how long they shall serve, and other matters as the board of supervisors deems necessary for the operation of the public authority. (2) A public authority established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be both of the following: (A) An entity separate from the county, and shall be required to file the statement required by Section 53051 of the Government Code. (B) A corporate public body, exercising public and essential governmental functions and that has all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the delivery of in-home supportive services, including the power to contract for services pursuant to Sections 12302 and 12302.1 and that makes or provides for direct payment to a provider chosen by the recipient for the purchase of services pursuant to Sections 12302 and 12302.2. Employees of the public authority shall not be employees of the county for any purpose. (3) (A) As an alternative, the enabling ordinance may designate the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority. (B) Any enabling ordinance that designates the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority shall also specify that no fewer than 50 percent of the membership of the advisory committee shall be individuals who are current or past users of personal assistance services paid for through public or private funds or recipients of services under this article. (C) If the enabling ordinance designates the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority, it shall also require the appointment of an advisory committee of not more than 11 individuals who shall be designated in accordance with subparagraph (B). (D) Prior to making designations of committee members pursuant to subparagraph (C), or governing body members in accordance with paragraph (4), the board of supervisors shall solicit recommendations of qualified members of either the governing body of the public authority or of any advisory committee through a fair and open process that includes the provision of reasonable written notice to, and a reasonable response time by, members of the general public and interested persons and organizations. (4) If the enabling ordinance does not designate the board of supervisors as the governing body of the public authority, the enabling ordinance shall require the membership of the governing body to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3). (c) (1) Any public authority created pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients under paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) within the meaning of Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code. Recipients shall retain the right to hire, fire, and supervise the work of any in-home supportive services personnel providing services to them. (2) (A) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) for the purposes of collective bargaining over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. (B) Recipients shall retain the right to hire, fire, and supervise the work of any in-home supportive services personnel providing services for them. (d) A public authority established pursuant to this section or a nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section, when providing for the delivery of services under this article by contract in accordance with Sections 12302 and 12302.1 or by direct payment to a provider chosen by a recipient in accordance with Sections 12302 and 12302.2, shall comply with and be subject to, all statutory and regulatory provisions applicable to the respective delivery mode. (e) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority established pursuant to this section shall provide for all of the following functions under this article, but shall not be limited to those functions: (1) The provision of assistance to recipients in finding in-home supportive services personnel through the establishment of a registry. (2) (A) (i) The investigation of the qualifications and background of potential personnel. The investigation may, with respect to any prospective registry applicant who is not employed before January 1, 2008, include criminal background checks requested by the nonprofit consortium or public authority and conducted by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 15660, for those public authorities or nonprofit consortia using the agencies on January 1, 2008. (ii) Upon notice from the Department of Justice notifying the public authority or nonprofit consortium that the prospective registry applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense specified in Section 12305.81, the public authority or nonprofit consortium shall deny the request to be placed on the registry for providing supportive services to any recipient of the In-Home Supportive Services program. (B) If an applicant is rejected as a result of information contained in the criminal background report, the applicant shall be advised in writing of his or her right to request a copy of his or her own criminal history record from the Department of Justice, as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, to review the information for accuracy and completeness. The applicant shall be advised that if, upon review of his or her own criminal history record he or she finds the information to be inaccurate or incomplete, the applicant shall have the right to submit a formal challenge to the Department of Justice to contest the criminal background report. (C) An applicant shall be informed of his or her right to a waiver of the fee for obtaining a copy of a criminal history record, and of how to submit a claim and proof of indigency, as required by Section 11123 of the Penal Code. (D) No fee shall be charged to a provider, potential personnel, or service recipient to cover any costs of administering this paragraph, or the cost to the Department of Justice or any law enforcement agency for processing the criminal background check. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the Department of Justice from assessing a fee pursuant to Section 11105 or 11123 of the Penal Code to cover the cost of furnishing summary criminal history information. A public authority or nonprofit consortium shall not seek reimbursement unless the conditions described in subparagraph (F) are met. (E) As used in this section, "nonprofit consortium" means a nonprofit public benefit corporation that has all powers necessary to carry out the delivery of in-home supportive services under the delegated authority of a government entity. (F) (i) Upon verification that at least 50 percent of the public authority or nonprofit consortium list of registry applicants have received a criminal background check, the county may request reimbursement for the non-federal share of cost associated with the criminal fingerprint record check in accordance to the fiscal claiming methodology. (ii) The public authority or nonprofit consortium shall provide a report to the State Department of Social Services on the number of prospective registry applicants that have been referred to the Department of Justice for a criminal background check. (iii) The Department of Justice shall provide verification to the State Department of Social Services on the number of prospective registry applicants that have completed a criminal background check. (3) Establishment of a referral system under which in-home supportive services personnel shall be referred to recipients. (4) (A) Providing for training for providers and recipients. (B) Each public authority or nonprofit consortium shall, with input from its advisory committee and other stakeholders, develop training standards and core topics for the training provided pursuant to subparagraph (A). (5) (A) Performing any other functions related to the delivery of in-home supportive services. (B) (i) Upon request of a recipient of in-home supportive services pursuant to this chapter, or a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14132.95, a public authority or nonprofit consortium may provide a criminal background check on a non-registry applicant or provider from the Department of Justice, in accordance with clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e). If the person who is the subject of the criminal background check is not hired or is terminated because of the information contained in the criminal background report, the provisions of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) shall apply. (ii) A recipient of in-home supportive services pursuant to this chapter or a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program may elect to employ an individual as their service provider notwithstanding the individual's record of previous criminal convictions, unless those convictions include any of the offenses specified in Section 12305.81. (6) Ensuring that the requirements of the personal care option pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code are met. (f) (1) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority created pursuant to this section shall be deemed not to be the employer of in-home supportive services personnel referred to recipients under this section for purposes of liability due to the negligence or intentional torts of the in-home supportive services personnel. (2) In no case shall a nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section or any public authority created pursuant to this section be held liable for action or omission of any in-home supportive services personnel whom the nonprofit consortium or public authority did not list on its registry or otherwise refer to a recipient. (3) Counties and the state shall be immune from any liability resulting from their implementation of this section in the administration of the In-Home Supportive Services program. Any obligation of the public authority or consortium pursuant to this section, whether statutory, contractual, or otherwise, shall be the obligation solely of the public authority or nonprofit consortium, and shall not be the obligation of the county or state. (g) Any nonprofit consortium contracting with a county pursuant to this section shall ensure that it has a governing body that complies with the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) or an advisory committee that complies with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b). (h) Recipients of services under this section may elect to receive services from in-home supportive services personnel who are not referred to them by the public authority or nonprofit consortium. Those personnel shall be referred to the public authority or nonprofit consortium for the purposes of wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. (i) (1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the state's responsibility with respect to the state payroll system, unemployment insurance, or workers' compensation and other provisions of Section 12302.2 for providers of in-home supportive services. (2) The Controller shall make any deductions from the wages of in-home supportive services personnel, who are employees of a public authority pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), that are agreed to by that public authority in collective bargaining with the designated representative of the in-home supportive services personnel pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code and transfer the deducted funds as directed in that agreement. (3) Any county that elects to provide in-home supportive services pursuant to this section shall be responsible for any increased costs to the in-home supportive services case management, information, and payrolling system attributable to that election. The department shall collaborate with any county that elects to provide in-home supportive services pursuant to this section prior to implementing the amount of financial obligation for which the county shall be responsible. (j) To the extent permitted by federal law, personal care option funds, obtained pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, along with matching funds using the state and county sharing ratio established in subdivision (c) of Section 12306, or any other funds that are obtained pursuant to Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, may be used to establish and operate an entity authorized by this section. (k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county, in exercising its option to establish a public authority, shall not be subject to competitive bidding requirements. However, contracts entered into by either the county, a public authority, or a nonprofit consortium pursuant to this section shall be subject to competitive bidding as otherwise required by law. () (1) The department may adopt regulations implementing this section as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For the purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of the regulations shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, these emergency regulations shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Office of Administrative Law. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (h) of Section 11346.1 and Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the department shall transmit these regulations directly to the Secretary of State for filing. The regulations shall become effective immediately upon filing by the Secretary of State. (3) Except as otherwise provided for by Section 10554, the Office of Administrative Law shall provide for the printing and publication of these regulations in the California Code of Regulations. Emergency regulations adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days. (m) (1) In the event that a county elects to form a nonprofit consortium or public authority pursuant to subdivision (a) before the State Department of Health Care Services has obtained all necessary federal approvals pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 14132.95, all of the following shall apply: (A) Subdivision (d) shall apply only to those matters that do not require federal approval. (B) The second sentence of subdivision (h) shall not be operative. (C) The nonprofit consortium or public authority shall not provide services other than those specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (e). (2) Paragraph (1) shall become inoperative when the State Department of Health Care Services has obtained all necessary federal approvals pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (j) of Section 14132.95. (n) (1) One year after the effective date of the first approval by the department granted to the first public authority, the Bureau of State Audits shall commission a study to review the performance of that public authority. (2) The study shall be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor not later than two years after the effective date of the approval specified in subdivision (a). The study shall give special attention to the health and welfare of the recipients under the public authority, including the degree to which all required services have been delivered, out-of-home placement rates, prompt response to recipient complaints, and any other issue the director deems relevant. (3) The report shall make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor for any changes to this section that will further ensure the well-being of recipients and the most efficient delivery of required services. (o) Commencing July 1, 1997, the department shall provide annual reports to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on the efficacy of the implementation of this section, and shall include an assessment of the quality of care provided pursuant to this section. (p) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in paragraph (2), the department shall, no later than January 1, 2009, implement subparagraphs (A) and (B) through an all county letter from the director: (A) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e). (B) Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (e). (2) The department shall, no later than July 1, 2009, adopt regulations to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1). (q) The amendments made to paragraphs (2) and (5) of subdivision (e) made by the act that added this subdivision during the 2007-08 Regular Session of the Legislature shall only be implemented to the extent that an appropriation is made in the annual Budget Act or other statute. SEC. 2. Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 15660. (a) The Department of Justice shall secure any criminal record of a person to determine whether the person has ever been convicted of a violation or attempted violation of Section 243.4 of the Penal Code, a sex offense against a minor, or of any felony that requires registration pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code, or whether the person has been convicted or incarcerated within the last 10 years as the result of committing a violation or attempted violation of Section 273a, 273d, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368, of the Penal Code, or as the result of committing a theft, robbery, burglary, or any felony, and shall provide a subsequent arrest notification pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, if both of the following conditions are met: (1) An employer of the person requests the determination and submits fingerprints of the person to the Department of Justice. For purposes of this paragraph, "employer" includes, but is not limited to, an in-home supportive services recipient, as defined by Section 12302.2, any recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14132.95, and any public authority or nonprofit consortium, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 12301.6. (2) The person is unlicensed and provides nonmedical domestic or personal care to an aged or disabled adult in the adult's own home. (b) (1) If it is found that the person has ever been convicted of a violation or attempted violation of Section 243.4 of the Penal Code, a sex offense against a minor, or of any felony which requires registration pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code, or that the person has been convicted or incarcerated within the last 10 years as the result of committing a violation or attempted violation of Section 273a, 273d, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368, of the Penal Code, or as the result of committing a theft, robbery, burglary, or any felony, the Department of Justice shall notify the employer of that fact. If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the employer with a statement of that fact. (2) Any employer may deny employment to any person who is the subject of a report under paragraph (1) when the report indicates that the person has committed any of the crimes identified in paragraph (1). (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any employer to hire any person who is the subject of a report under paragraph (1) when the report indicates that the person has not committed any of the crimes indicated in paragraph (1). (c) (1) Fingerprints shall be on a card provided by the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining a set of fingerprints. The employer shall submit the fingerprints to the Department of Justice. Within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints, the Department of Justice shall notify the employer of the criminal record information, as provided in this subdivision. If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the employer with a statement of that fact as soon as possible, but not later than 30 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints. If new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, as soon as possible, but not later than 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the employer that the fingerprints were illegible. (2) Fingerprints may be taken by any local law enforcement officer or agency for purposes of paragraph (1). (3) Counties shall notify any recipient of, or applicant for, in-home supportive services or personal care services under the Medi-Cal program, upon his or her application for in-home supportive services or personal care services or during his or her annual redetermination, or upon the recipient's changing providers, that a criminal record check is available, and that the check can be performed by the Department of Justice. (d) (1) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee to the employer to cover the costs of administering this section. (2) (A) If the employer is an in-home supportive services recipient, as defined in Section 123202.2, a recipient of personal care services under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14132.95, or any public authority or nonprofit consortium as described in subdivision (a) of Section 12301.6, the fee shall be shared by the county and the state in the same ratio as described in Section 12306. (B) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in clause (ii), the department shall, no later than January 1, 2009, implement subparagraph (A) through an all county letter from the director. (ii) No later than July 1, 2009, the department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions listed in clause (i). (e) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Justice charge a fee to cover its cost in providing services in accordance with this section to comply with the 30-calendar-day requirement for provision to the department of the criminal record information, as contained in subdivision (c). SEC. 3. Section 1.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 12301.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 182. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2008, (2) each bill amends Section 12301.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after AB 182, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.