Amended in Senate June 25, 2015

Amended in Assembly April 7, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 74

Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon

January 5, 2015

An act to amend Sections 1534, 1569.33, 1597.09, and 1597.55a of the Health and Safety Code, relating to care facilities.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 74, as amended, Calderon. Care facilities: regulatory visits.

Under existing law, the State Department of Social Services regulates the licensure and operation of community care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, child day care centers, and family day care homes. Existing law provides that these facilities, except for foster family homes, are subject to unannounced visits by the department at least once every 5 years. Existing law requires the department to conduct an annual unannounced visit under specified circumstances, including when a license is on probation, and to conduct annual unannounced visits to no less than 20% of the facilities, other than foster family homes, that are not subject to an inspection under those specified circumstances.

This bill would instead make every facility of the types described above, except for foster family homes, subject to an annual unannounced visit by the department on and after July 1, 2018. The bill would revise the provisions requiring the department to conduct annual unannounced visits to no less than 20% of the facilities by instead requiring the department to conduct annual unannounced visits to no less than 30% of facilities on or before July 1, 2016, and no less than 40% of those facilities on or before July 1, 2017. The bill would also delete the provisions requiring an unannounced visit at least once every 5 years.

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 1534 of the Health and Safety Code is
amended to read:

1534.  

(a) (1) (A) Except for foster family homes, every
licensed community care facility shall be subject to unannounced
inspections by the department.

(B) Foster family homes shall be subject to announced
inspections by the department, except that a foster family home
shall be subject to unannounced inspections in response to a
complaint, a plan of correction, or under any of the circumstances
set forth in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2).

(2) (A) The department may inspect these facilities as often as
necessary to ensure the quality of care provided.

(B) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced
inspection of a facility under any of the following circumstances:

(i) When a license is on probation.

(ii) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan
require an annual inspection.

(iii) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.

(iv) When a facility requires an annual inspection as a condition
of receiving federal financial participation.

(v) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of
a facility by the department is no longer at the facility.

(C) The department shall conduct annual announced inspections
of no less than 20 percent of foster family homes not subject to an
inspection under subparagraph (B).

(D) (i) On or before July 1, 2016, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 30 percent of facilities
that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subparagraph (B).
These unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random
sampling methodology developed by the department. Under no
circumstances shall the department visit a licensed community
care facility less often than once every three years.

(ii) On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 40 percent of facilities
that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subparagraph (B).
These unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random
sampling methodology developed by the department. Under no
circumstances shall the department visit a licensed community
care facility less often than once every two years.

(E) On and after July 1, 2018, the department shall conduct at
least one annual unannounced visit to each licensed community
care facility.

(3) In order to facilitate direct contact with group home clients,
the department may interview children who are clients of group
homes at any public agency or private agency at which the client
may be found, including, but not limited to, a juvenile hall,
recreation or vocational program, or a public or nonpublic school.
The department shall respect the rights of the child while
conducting the interview, including informing the child that he or
she has the right not to be interviewed and the right to have another
adult present during the interview.

(4) The department shall notify the community care facility in
writing of all deficiencies in its compliance with the provisions of
this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this
chapter, and shall set a reasonable length of time for compliance
by the facility.

(5) Reports on the results of each inspection, evaluation, or
consultation shall be kept on file in the department, and all
inspection reports, consultation reports, lists of deficiencies, and
plans of correction shall be open to public inspection.

(b) (1) This section does not limit the authority of the
department to inspect or evaluate a licensed foster family agency,
a certified family home, or any aspect of a program in which a
licensed community care facility is certifying compliance with
licensing requirements.

(2) (A) A foster family agency shall conduct an announced
inspection of a certified family home during the annual
recertification described in Section 1506 in order to ensure that
the certified family home meets all applicable licensing standards.
A foster family agency may inspect a certified family home as
often as necessary to ensure the quality of care provided.

(B) In addition to the inspections required pursuant to
subparagraph (A), a foster family agency shall conduct an
unannounced inspection of a certified family home under any of
the following circumstances:

(i) When a certified family home is on probation.

(ii) When the terms of the agreement in a facility compliance
plan require an annual inspection.

(iii) When an accusation against a certified family home is
pending.

(iv) When a certified family home requires an annual inspection
as a condition of receiving federal financial participation.

(v) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of
a certified family home by the department is no longer at the home.

(3) Upon a finding of noncompliance by the department, the
department may require a foster family agency to deny or revoke
the certificate of approval of a certified family home, or take other
action the department may deem necessary for the protection of a
child placed with the certified family home. The certified parent
or prospective foster parent shall be afforded the due process
provided pursuant to this chapter.

(4) If the department requires a foster family agency to deny or
revoke the certificate of approval, the department shall serve an
order of denial or revocation upon the certified or prospective
foster parent and foster family agency that shall notify the certified
or prospective foster parent of the basis of the department’s action
and of the certified or prospective foster parent’s right to a hearing.

(5) Within 15 days after the department serves an order of denial
or revocation, the certified or prospective foster parent may file a
written appeal of the department’s decision with the department.
The department’s action shall be final if the certified or prospective
foster parent does not file a written appeal within 15 days after the
department serves the denial or revocation order.

(6) The department’s order of the denial or revocation of the
certificate of approval shall remain in effect until the hearing is
completed and the director has made a final determination on the
merits.

(7) A certified or prospective foster parent who files a written
appeal of the department’s order with the department pursuant to
this section shall, as part of the written request, provide his or her
current mailing address. The certified or prospective foster parent
shall subsequently notify the department in writing of any change
in mailing address, until the hearing process has been completed
or terminated.

(8) Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted in
accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of
Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. In all
proceedings conducted in accordance with this section the standard
of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(9) The department may institute or continue a disciplinary
proceeding against a certified or prospective foster parent upon
any ground provided by this section or Section 1550, enter an order
denying or revoking the certificate of approval, or otherwise take
disciplinary action against the certified or prospective foster parent,
notwithstanding any resignation, withdrawal of application,
surrender of the certificate of approval, or denial or revocation of
the certificate of approval by the foster family agency.

(10) A foster family agency’s failure to comply with the
department’s order to deny or revoke the certificate of approval
by placing or retaining children in care shall be grounds for
disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

SEC. 2.  

Section 1569.33 of the Health and Safety Code is
amended to read:

1569.33.  

(a) Every licensed residential care facility for the
elderly shall be subject to unannounced visits by the department.
The department shall visit these facilities as often as necessary to
ensure the quality of care provided.

(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced visit
of a facility under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When a license is on probation.

(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan
require an annual evaluation.

(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.

(4) When a facility requires an annual visit as a condition of
receiving federal financial participation.

(5) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of
the facility for the elderly by the department is no longer at the
facility.

(c) (1) On or before July 1, 2016, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 30 percent of facilities
that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subdivision (b).
These unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random
sampling methodology developed by the department. Under no
circumstances shall the department visit a licensed residential care
facility for the elderly less often than once every three years.

begin delete

(2) If the total citations issued by the department exceed the
previous year’s total by 10 percent, the following year the
department shall increase the random sample by 10 percent of the
facilities not subject to an evaluation under subdivision (b). The
department may request additional resources to increase the random
sample by 10 percent.

end delete begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 40 percent of facilities
that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subdivision (b).
These unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random
sampling methodology developed by the department. Under no
circumstance shall the department visit a licensed residential care
facility for the elderly less often than once every two years.

begin delete

(4)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  On and after July 1, 2018, the department shall conduct at
least one annual unannounced visit to each licensed residential
care facility for the elderly.

(d) (1) The department shall notify the residential care facility
for the elderly in writing of all deficiencies in its compliance with
the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted
pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Unless otherwise specified in the plan of correction, the
residential care facility for the elderly shall remedy the deficiencies
within 10 days of the notification.

(e) (1) Reports on the results of each inspection, evaluation, or
consultation shall be kept on file in the department, and all
inspection reports, consultation reports, lists of deficiencies, and
plans of correction shall be open to public inspection.

(2) (A) The department shall post on its Internet Web site
information on how to obtain an inspection report.

(B) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department shall
make inspection reports available on its Internet Web site by
January 1, 2020.

(f) As a part of the department’s evaluation process, the
department shall review the plan of operation, training logs, and
marketing materials of any residential care facility for the elderly
that advertises or promotes special care, special programming, or
a special environment for persons with dementia to monitor
compliance with Sections 1569.626 and 1569.627.

(g) (1) The department shall design, or cause to be designed,
a poster that contains information on the appropriate reporting
agency in case of a complaint or emergency.

(2) Each residential care facility for the elderly shall post this
poster in the main entryway of its facility.

SEC. 3.  

Section 1597.09 of the Health and Safety Code is
amended to read:

1597.09.  

(a) Each licensed child day care center shall be
subject to unannounced visits by the department. The department
shall visit these facilities as often as necessary to ensure the quality
of care provided.

(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced visit
to a licensed child day care center under any of the following
circumstances:

(1) When a license is on probation.

(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan
require an annual evaluation.

(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.

(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of
a child day care center by the department is no longer at the facility.

(c) (1) On or before July 1, 2016, the department shall conduct
an annual unannounced visit to no less than 30 percent of facilities
not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subdivision (b). These
unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random sampling
methodology developed by the department. Under no circumstance
shall the department visit a licensed child day care center less often
than once every three years.

begin delete

(2) If the total citations issued by the department exceed the
previous year’s total by 10 percent, the following year the
department shall increase the random sample by 10 percent of
facilities not subject to an evaluation under subdivision (b). The
department may request additional resources to increase the random
sample by 10 percent.

end delete begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 40 percent of the licensed
child day care centers that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant
to subdivision (b). These unannounced visits shall be conducted
based on a random sampling methodology developed by the
department. Under no circumstance shall the department visit a
licensed child day care center less often than once every two years.

(d) On and after July 1, 2018, the department shall conduct at
least one annual unannounced visit to each licensed child day care
center.

SEC. 4.  

Section 1597.55a of the Health and Safety Code is
amended to read:

1597.55a.  

Every licensed family day care home shall be subject
to unannounced visits by the department as provided in this section.
The department shall visit these facilities as often as necessary to
ensure the quality of care provided.

(a) The department shall conduct an announced site visit prior
to the initial licensing of the applicant.

(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced visit
to a facility under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When a license is on probation.

(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan
require an annual evaluation.

(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.

(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of
a family day care home by the department is no longer at the
facility.

(c) (1) On or before July 1, 2016, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 30 percent of facilities
that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant to subdivision (b).
These unannounced visits shall be conducted based on a random
sampling methodology developed by the department. Under no
circumstance shall the department visit a licensed family day care
home less often than once every three years.

begin delete

(2) If the total citations issued by the department exceed the
previous year’s total by 10 percent, the following year the
department shall increase the random sample by 10 percent of the
facilities not subject to an evaluation under subdivision (b). The
department may request additional resources to increase the random
sample by 10 percent.

end delete begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall conduct
annual unannounced visits to no less than 40 percent of the licensed
family day care homes that are not subject to an evaluation pursuant
to subdivision (b). These unannounced visits shall be conducted
based on a random sampling methodology developed by the
department. Under no circumstance shall the department visit a
licensed family day care home less often than once every two
years.

(d) On and after July 1, 2018, the department shall conduct at
least one annual unannounced visit to each licensed family day
care home.

(e) A public agency under contract with the department may
make spot checks if it does not result in any cost to the state.
However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.

(f) The department or licensing agency shall make an
unannounced site visit on the basis of a complaint and a followup
visit as provided in Section 1596.853.

(g) An unannounced site visit shall adhere to both of the
following conditions:

(1) The visit shall take place only during the facility’s normal
business hours or at any time family day care services are being
provided.

(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts
of the facility in which family day care services are provided or
to which the children have access.

(h) The department shall implement this section during periods
that Section 1597.55b is not being implemented in accordance
with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.