BILL NUMBER: AB 1856	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ammiano

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2012

   An act to amend Sections 1522.41 and 1529.2 of the Health and
Safety Code, and to amend Sections 16001.9 and 16003 of the Welfare
and Institutions Code, relating to foster care services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1856, as introduced, Ammiano. Foster care services: cultural
competency.
   Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act,
requires the State Department of Social Services to license and
regulate community care facilities, including foster family agencies
and other facilities that provide foster care services for children.
A violation of community care facility provisions is a misdemeanor.
Existing law requires the department to develop, and an administrator
of a group home facility to complete, a certification program that
includes training in various areas, including the rights of foster
children. Existing law requires a foster family agency to provide,
and a licensed foster parent to complete, preplacement training and
additional annual training in various areas, including the rights of
foster children. Existing law also requires a community college
district with a foster care education program to make orientation and
training available to a relative or nonrelative extended family
member caregiver, as specified.
   The bill would require the training for an administrator of a
group home facility, licensed foster parent, and relative or
nonrelative extended family member caregiver, to also include
instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and
best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in out-of-home care.
   Existing law provides that it is the policy of the state that
foster children have specified rights.
   This bill would provide that foster children also have the right
to have caregivers and child welfare personnel who have received
instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and
best practices for, providing adequate care to LGBT youth in
out-of-home care.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1522.41 of the Health and Safety Code is
amended to read:
   1522.41.  (a) The director, in consultation and collaboration with
county placement officials, group home provider organizations, the
Director of Mental Health, and the Director of Developmental
Services, shall develop and establish a certification program to
ensure that administrators of group home facilities have appropriate
training to provide the care and services for which a license or
certificate is issued.
   (b) (1) In addition to any other requirements or qualifications
required by the department, an administrator of a group home facility
shall successfully complete a department-approved certification
program, pursuant to subdivision (c), prior to employment. An
administrator employed in a group home on the effective date of this
section shall meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision
(c).
   (2) In those cases where the individual is both the licensee and
the administrator of a facility, the individual shall comply with all
of the licensee and administrator requirements of this section.
   (3) Failure to comply with this section shall constitute cause for
revocation of the license of the facility.
   (4) The licensee shall notify the department within 10 days of any
change in administrators.
   (c) (1) The administrator certification programs shall require a
minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction that provides training
on a uniform core of knowledge in each of the following areas:
   (A) Laws, regulations, and policies and procedural standards that
impact the operations of the type of facility for which the applicant
will be an administrator.
   (B) Business operations.
   (C) Management and supervision of staff.
   (D) Psychosocial and educational needs of the facility residents.
   (E) Community and support services.
   (F) Physical needs for facility residents.
   (G) Administration, storage, misuse, and interaction of medication
used by facility residents.
   (H) Resident admission, retention, and assessment procedures,
including the right of a foster child to have fair and equal access
to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits,
and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis
of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status. 
   (I) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.  
    (I) 
    (J)  Nonviolent emergency intervention and reporting
requirements. 
   (J) 
    (K)  Basic instruction on the existing laws and
procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the
ensuring of a harassment- and violence-free school environment
contained in the School Safety and Violence Prevention Act (Article
3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of
Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code).
   (2) The department shall adopt separate program requirements for
initial certification for persons who are employed as group home
administrators on the effective date of this section. A person
employed as an administrator of a group home facility on the
effective date of this section shall obtain a certificate by
completing the training and testing requirements imposed by the
department within 12 months of the effective date of the regulations
implementing this section. After the effective date of this section,
these administrators shall meet the requirements imposed by the
department on all other group home administrators for certificate
renewal.
   (3) Individuals applying for certification under this section
shall successfully complete an approved certification program, pass a
written test administered by the department within 60 days of
completing the program, and submit to the department the
documentation required by subdivision (d) within 30 days after being
notified of having passed the test. The department may extend these
time deadlines for good cause. The department shall notify the
applicant of his or her test results within 30 days of administering
the test.
   (d) The department shall not begin the process of issuing a
certificate until receipt of all of the following:
   (1) A certificate of completion of the administrator training
required pursuant to this chapter.
   (2) The fee required for issuance of the certificate. A fee of one
hundred dollars ($100) shall be charged by the department to cover
the costs of processing the application for certification.
   (3) Documentation from the applicant that he or she has passed the
written test.
   (4) Submission of fingerprints pursuant to Section 1522. The
department may waive the submission for those persons who have a
current clearance on file.
   (5) That person is at least 21 years of age.
   (e) It shall be unlawful for any person not certified under this
section to hold himself or herself out as a certified administrator
of a group home facility. Any person willfully making any false
representation as being a certified administrator or facility manager
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
   (f) (1) Certificates issued under this section shall be renewed
every two years and renewal shall be conditional upon the certificate
holder submitting documentation of completion of 40 hours of
continuing education related to the core of knowledge specified in
subdivision (c). No more than one-half of the required 40 hours of
continuing education necessary to renew the certificate may be
satisfied through online courses. All other continuing education
hours shall be completed in a classroom setting. For purposes of this
section, an individual who is a group home facility administrator
and who is required to complete the continuing education hours
required by the regulations of the State Department of Developmental
Services, and approved by the regional center, may have up to 24 of
the required continuing education course hours credited toward the
40-hour continuing education requirement of this section. Community
college course hours approved by the regional centers shall be
accepted by the department for certification.
   (2) Every administrator of a group home facility shall complete
the continuing education requirements of this subdivision.
   (3) Certificates issued under this section shall expire every two
years on the anniversary date of the initial issuance of the
certificate, except that any administrator receiving his or her
initial certification on or after July 1, 1999, shall make an
irrevocable election to have his or her recertification date for any
subsequent recertification either on the date two years from the date
of issuance of the certificate or on the individual's birthday
during the second calendar year following certification. The
department shall send a renewal notice to the certificate holder 90
days prior to the expiration date of the certificate. If the
certificate is not renewed prior to its expiration date,
reinstatement shall only be permitted after the certificate holder
has paid a delinquency fee equal to three times the renewal fee and
has provided evidence of completion of the continuing education
required.
   (4) To renew a certificate, the certificate holder shall, on or
before the certificate expiration date, request renewal by submitting
to the department documentation of completion of the required
continuing education courses and pay the renewal fee of one hundred
dollars ($100), irrespective of receipt of the department's
notification of the renewal. A renewal request postmarked on or
before the expiration of the certificate shall be proof of compliance
with this paragraph.
   (5) A suspended or revoked certificate shall be subject to
expiration as provided for in this section. If reinstatement of the
certificate is approved by the department, the certificate holder, as
a condition precedent to reinstatement, shall submit proof of
compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), and shall
pay a fee in an amount equal to the renewal fee, plus the delinquency
fee, if any, accrued at the time of its revocation or suspension.
Delinquency fees, if any, accrued subsequent to the time of its
revocation or suspension and prior to an order for reinstatement,
shall be waived for a period of 12 months to allow the individual
sufficient time to complete the required continuing education units
and to submit the required documentation. Individuals whose
certificates will expire within 90 days after the order for
reinstatement may be granted a three-month extension to renew their
certificates during which time the delinquency fees shall not accrue.

   (6) A certificate that is not renewed within four years after its
expiration shall not be renewed, restored, reissued, or reinstated
except upon completion of a certification training program, passing
any test that may be required of an applicant for a new certificate
at that time, and paying the appropriate fees provided for in this
section.
   (7) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be charged for the
reissuance of a lost certificate.
   (8) A certificate holder shall inform the department of his or her
employment status and change of mailing address within 30 days of
any change.
   (g) Unless otherwise ordered by the department, the certificate
shall be considered forfeited under either of the following
conditions:
   (1) The department has revoked any license held by the
administrator after the department issued the certificate.
   (2) The department has issued an exclusion order against the
administrator pursuant to Section 1558, 1568.092, 1569.58, or
1596.8897, after the department issued the certificate, and the
administrator did not appeal the exclusion order or, after the
appeal, the department issued a decision and order that upheld the
exclusion order.
   (h) (1) The department, in consultation and collaboration with
county placement officials, provider organizations, the State
Department of Mental Health, and the State Department of
Developmental Services, shall establish, by regulation, the program
content, the testing instrument, the process for approving
certification training programs, and criteria to be used in
authorizing individuals, organizations, or educational institutions
to conduct certification training programs and continuing education
courses. The department may also grant continuing education hours for
continuing courses offered by accredited educational institutions
that are consistent with the requirements in this section. The
department may deny vendor approval to any agency or person in any of
the following circumstances:
   (A) The applicant has not provided the department with evidence
satisfactory to the department of the ability of the applicant to
satisfy the requirements of vendorization set out in the regulations
adopted by the department pursuant to subdivision (j).
   (B) The applicant person or agency has a conflict of interest in
that the person or agency places its clients in group home
facilities.
   (C) The applicant public or private agency has a conflict of
interest in that the agency is mandated to place clients in group
homes and to pay directly for the services. The department may deny
vendorization to this type of agency only as long as there are other
vendor programs available to conduct the certification training
programs and conduct education courses.
   (2) The department may authorize vendors to conduct the
administrator's certification training program pursuant to this
section. The department shall conduct the written test pursuant to
regulations adopted by the department.
   (3) The department shall prepare and maintain an updated list of
approved training vendors.
   (4) The department may inspect certification training programs and
continuing education courses, including online courses, at no charge
to the department, to determine if content and teaching methods
comply with regulations. If the department determines that any vendor
is not complying with the requirements of this section, the
department shall take appropriate action to bring the program into
compliance, which may include removing the vendor from the approved
list.
   (5) The department shall establish reasonable procedures and
timeframes not to exceed 30 days for the approval of vendor training
programs.
   (6) The department may charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed one
hundred fifty dollars ($150) every two years, to certification
program vendors for review and approval of the initial 40-hour
training program pursuant to subdivision (c). The department may also
charge the vendor a fee, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100)
every two years, for the review and approval of the continuing
education courses needed for recertification pursuant to this
subdivision.
   (7) (A) A vendor of online programs for continuing education shall
ensure that each online course contains all of the following:
   (i) An interactive portion in which the participant receives
feedback, through online communication, based on input from the
participant.
   (ii) Required use of a personal identification number or personal
identification information to confirm the identity of the
participant.
   (iii) A final screen displaying a printable statement, to be
signed by the participant, certifying that the identified participant
completed the course. The vendor shall obtain a copy of the final
screen statement with the original signature of the participant prior
to the issuance of a certificate of completion. The signed statement
of completion shall be maintained by the vendor for a period of
three years and be available to the department upon demand. Any
person who certifies as true any material matter pursuant to this
clause that he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor.
   (B) Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit the department from
approving online programs for continuing education that do not meet
the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the vendor demonstrates to
the department's satisfaction that, through advanced technology, the
course and the course delivery meet the requirements of this section.

   (i) The department shall establish a registry for holders of
certificates that shall include, at a minimum, information on
employment status and criminal record clearance.
   (j) Subdivisions (b) to (i), inclusive, shall be implemented upon
regulations being adopted by the department, by January 1, 2000.
   (k) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, vendors
approved by the department who exclusively provide either initial or
continuing education courses for certification of administrators of a
group home facility as defined by regulations of the department, an
adult residential facility as defined by regulations of the
department, or a residential care facility for the elderly as defined
in subdivision (k) of Section 1569.2, shall be regulated solely by
the department pursuant to this chapter. No other state or local
governmental entity shall be responsible for regulating the activity
of those vendors.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1529.2 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
   1529.2.  (a) In addition to the foster parent training provided by
community colleges, foster family agencies shall provide a program
of training for their certified foster families.
   (b) (1) Every licensed foster parent shall complete a minimum of
12 hours of foster parent training, as prescribed in paragraph (3),
before the placement of any foster children with the foster parent.
In addition, a foster parent shall complete a minimum of eight hours
of foster parent training annually, as prescribed in paragraph (4).
No child shall be placed in a foster family home unless these
requirements are met by the persons in the home who are serving as
the foster parents.
   (2) (A) Upon the request of the foster parent for a hardship
waiver from the postplacement training requirement or a request for
an extension of the deadline, the county may, at its option, on a
case-by-case basis, waive the postplacement training requirement or
extend any established deadline for a period not to exceed one year,
if the postplacement training requirement presents a severe and
unavoidable obstacle to continuing as a foster parent. Obstacles for
which a county may grant a hardship waiver or extension are:
   (i) Lack of access to training due to the cost or travel required.

   (ii) Family emergency.
   (B) Before a waiver or extension may be granted, the foster parent
should explore the opportunity of receiving training by video or
written materials.
   (3) The initial preplacement training shall include, but not be
limited to, training courses that cover all of the following:
   (A) An overview of the child protective system.
   (B) The effects of child abuse and neglect on child development.
   (C) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
   (D) Health issues in foster care.
   (E) Accessing education and health services available to foster
children.
   (F) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to
all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and
to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of
actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status. 
   (G) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.  
   (G) 
    (H)  Basic instruction on the existing laws and
procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the
ensuring of a harassment and violence free school environment
contained in the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention
Act of 2000 (Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2
of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code).
   (4) The postplacement annual training shall include, but not be
limited to, training courses that cover all of the following:
   (A) Age-appropriate child development.
   (B) Health issues in foster care.
   (C) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
   (D) Emancipation and independent living skills if a foster parent
is caring for youth.
   (E) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to
all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and
to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of
actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status. 
   (F) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care. 
   (5) Foster parent training may be attained through a variety of
sources, including community colleges, counties, hospitals, foster
parent associations, the California State Foster Parent Association's
Conference, adult schools, and certified foster parent instructors.
   (6) A candidate for placement of foster children shall submit a
certificate of training to document completion of the training
requirements. The certificate shall be submitted with the initial
consideration for placements and provided at the time of the annual
visit by the licensing agency thereafter.
   (c) Nothing in this section shall preclude a county from requiring
county-provided preplacement or postplacement foster parent training
in excess of the requirements in this section.
  SEC. 3.  Section 16001.9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   16001.9.  (a) It is the policy of the state that all children in
foster care shall have the following rights:
   (1) To live in a safe, healthy, and comfortable home where he or
she is treated with respect.
   (2) To be free from physical, sexual, emotional, or other abuse,
or corporal punishment.
   (3) To receive adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and,
for youth in group homes, an allowance.
   (4) To receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health
services.
   (5) To be free of the administration of medication or chemical
substances, unless authorized by a physician.
   (6) To contact family members, unless prohibited by court order,
and social workers, attorneys, foster youth advocates and supporters,
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), and probation officers.
   (7) To visit and contact brothers and sisters, unless prohibited
by court order.
   (8) To contact the Community Care Licensing Division of the State
Department of Social Services or the State Foster Care Ombudsperson
regarding violations of rights, to speak to representatives of these
offices confidentially, and to be free from threats or punishment for
making complaints.
   (9) To make and receive confidential telephone calls and send and
receive unopened mail, unless prohibited by court order.
   (10) To attend religious services and activities of his or her
choice.
   (11) To maintain an emancipation bank account and manage personal
income, consistent with the child's age and developmental level,
unless prohibited by the case plan.
   (12) To not be locked in a room, building, or facility premises,
unless placed in a community treatment facility.
   (13) To attend school and participate in extracurricular,
cultural, and personal enrichment activities, consistent with the
child's age and developmental level with minimal disruptions to
school attendance and educational stability.
   (14) To work and develop job skills at an age-appropriate level,
consistent with state law.
   (15) To have social contacts with people outside of the foster
care system, such as teachers, church members, mentors, and friends.
   (16) To attend Independent Living Program classes and activities
if he or she meets age requirements.
   (17) To attend court hearings and speak to the judge.
   (18) To have storage space for private use.
   (19) To be involved in the development of his or her own case plan
and plan for permanent placement.
   (20) To review his or her own case plan and plan for permanent
placement, if he or she is 12 years of age or older and in a
permanent placement, and to receive information about his or her
out-of-home placement and case plan, including being told of changes
to the plan.
   (21) To be free from unreasonable searches of personal belongings.

   (22) To confidentiality of all juvenile court records consistent
with existing law.
   (23) To have fair and equal access to all available services,
placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to
discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived
race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or
physical disability, or HIV status. 
   (24) To have caregivers and child welfare personnel who have
received instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.  
   (24) 
    (25)  At 16 years of age or older, to have access to
existing information regarding the educational options available,
including, but not limited to, the coursework necessary for
vocational and postsecondary educational programs, and information
regarding financial aid for postsecondary education.
   (b) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require a
foster care provider to take any action that would impair the health
and safety of children in out-of-home placement.
   (c) The State Department of Social Services and each county
welfare department are encouraged to work with the Student Aid
Commission, the University of California, the California State
University, and the California Community Colleges to receive
information pursuant to paragraph (23) of subdivision (a).
  SEC. 4.  Section 16003 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   16003.  (a) In order to promote the successful implementation of
the statutory preference for foster care placement with a relative
caretaker as set forth in Section 7950 of the Family Code, each
community college district with a foster care education program shall
make available orientation and training to the relative or
nonrelative extended family member caregiver into whose care the
county has placed a foster child pursuant to Section 1529.2 of the
Health and Safety Code, including, but not limited to, courses that
cover the following:
   (1) The role, rights, and responsibilities of a relative or
nonrelative extended family member caregiver caring for a child in
foster care, including the right of a foster child to have fair and
equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment,
and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment
on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group
identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability,
or HIV status.
   (2) An overview of the child protective system.
   (3) The effects of child abuse and neglect on child development.
   (4) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
   (5) Health issues in foster care.
   (6) Accessing education and health services that are available to
foster children.
   (7) Relationship and safety issues regarding contact with one or
both of the birth parents.
   (8) Permanency options for relative or nonrelative extended family
member caregivers, including legal guardianship, the Kinship
Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, and kin adoption.
   (9) Information on resources available for those who meet
eligibility criteria, including out-of-home care payments, the
Medi-Cal program, in-home supportive services, and other similar
resources. 
   (10) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.  
   (10) 
    (11)  Basic instruction on the existing laws and
procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the
ensuring of a harassment and violence free school environment
contained in the California Student Safety
                        and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (Article
3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of
Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code).
   (b) In addition to training made available pursuant to subdivision
(a), each community college district with a foster care education
program shall make training available to a relative or nonrelative
extended family member caregiver that includes, but need not be
limited to, courses that cover all of the following:
   (1) Age-appropriate child development.
   (2) Health issues in foster care.
   (3) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
   (4) Emancipation and independent living.
   (5) Accessing education and health services available to foster
children.
   (6) Relationship and safety issues regarding contact with one or
both of the birth parents.
   (7) Permanency options for relative or nonrelative extended family
member caregivers, including legal guardianship, the Kinship
Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, and kin adoption.
   (8) Basic instruction on the existing laws and procedures
regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the ensuring of a
harassment and violence free school environment contained in the
California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000
(Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19
of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code).
   (c) In addition to the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b),
each community college district with a foster care education program,
in providing the orientation program, shall develop appropriate
program parameters in collaboration with the counties.
   (d) Each community college district with a foster care education
program shall make every attempt to make the training and orientation
programs for relative or nonrelative extended family member
caregivers highly accessible in the communities in which they reside.

   (e) When a child is placed with a relative or nonrelative extended
family member caregiver, the county shall inform the caregiver of
the availability of training and orientation programs and it is the
intent of the Legislature that the county shall forward the names and
addresses of relative or nonrelative extended family member
caregivers to the appropriate community colleges providing the
training and orientation programs.
   (f) This section shall not be construed to preclude counties from
developing or expanding existing training and orientation programs
for foster care providers to include relative or nonrelative extended
family member caregivers.