BILL NUMBER: AB 1659 CHAPTERED 10/10/99 CHAPTER 881 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 10, 1999 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 9, 1999 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 10, 1999 PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 9, 1999 AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 17, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 28, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 5, 1999 INTRODUCED BY Committee on Human Services (Aroner (Chair), Ashburn (Vice Chair), Ducheny, Shelley, and Strom-Martin) MARCH 11, 1999 An act to amend Sections 7911 and 7911.1 of the Family Code, to amend Sections 1522, 1569.17, and 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 361.21, 727.1, and 11466.21 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to community care, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1659, Committee on Human Services. Care facilities. Existing law requires a county to obtain an assessment and placement recommendation by a county multidisciplinary team, as defined, prior to placement of a child in an out-of-state group home facility. This bill would require participants to have knowledge or experience in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases, and to be qualified to recommend a broad range of services related to child abuse and neglect. Existing law contains fingerprint requirements for foster family homes and operators and employees of community care facilities. This bill would make various changes in these fingerprint requirements, as well as related criminal background and licensure requirements, including a requirement that applicants and employees submit a second set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice for use by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of searching its criminal records information, and would provide for the assessment of civil penalties for violation of this requirement. It would also modify the duties of the Department of Justice and the State Department of Social Services in connection with the implementation of these provisions. Because a violation of licensure provisions is a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires that, unless the State Department of Social Services grants an exemption, a license shall be denied for the operation of a residential care facility for the elderly if specified persons have been found to have committed a crime, with certain exceptions. Among the staff persons, volunteers, or employees whose criminal convictions to which this provision applies are those who have frequent and routine contact with clients. This bill would delete the reference to frequent and routine contact, and thus only require that these individuals have contact with clients. Because violation of provisions relating to residential care facilities for the elderly is a crime, the bill would constitute a state-mandated local program. Existing law, the California Child Day Care Act, requires that, prior to issuing a license or special permit to operate or manage a day care facility, the State Department of Social Services secure a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or specified employees has ever been convicted of specified crimes. Existing law contains certain exemptions from these provisions. This bill would revise the exemptions relating to certain volunteers. Existing law prohibits a court from ordering the placement of certain minors in an out-of-state group home unless the court finds, in its order of placement, that specified conditions have been met. This bill would add to those conditions a requirement that in-state facilities have been determined to be unavailable or inadequate to meet the needs of the minor. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to perform initial and continuing inspection of out-of-state group homes in order to either certify that the out-of-state group home meets all licensure standards required of group homes operated in California or that the department has granted a waiver to a specific licensing standard upon a finding that there exists no adverse impact to health and safety. Existing law further requires the department to grant or deny an initial certification or a waiver by August 19, 1999. This bill would require the department to grant or deny an initial certification or a waiver to an out-of-state group home facility that has 6 or fewer California children placed by a county social services agency or probation department by February 19, 2000, rather than August 19, 1999. Existing law requires that if, upon inspection, the probation officer of the county in which certain minors are adjudged wards of the court determines that an out-of-state facility or program is not licensed for the placement of minors by an agency of the state in which the minor will be placed or operates under, and is inspected pursuant to, standards comparable to the Board of Corrections for similar facilities or programs, the probation officer may temporarily remove the minor from the program or facility. This bill would also permit temporary removal from the facility or program if it is determined that the facility or program has an adverse impact on the health or safety of the child. Existing law establishes the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) program, under which, through a combination of federal, state, and local funds, payments are made to foster care providers by each county on behalf of eligible children. Existing law provides that, except as specified, as a condition of receiving an AFDC-FC rate on or after July 1, 1999, a group home provider shall submit a copy of its most recent financial audit as a component of any rate application. This bill would, instead, delay the date upon which this requirement would apply until July 1, 2000. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement, including the creation of a State Mandates Claims Fund to pay the costs of mandates that do not exceed $1,000,000 statewide and other procedures for claims whose statewide costs exceed $1,000,000. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would incorporate additional amendments to Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code contained in SB 286, which would become operative only if both bills are enacted and this bill is enacted after SB 286, but this bill becomes operative before SB 286. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 7911 of the Family Code is amended to read: 7911. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The health and safety of California children placed by a county social services agency or probation department out of state pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children are a matter of statewide concern. (b) The Legislature therefore affirms its intention that the State Department of Social Services has full authority to require an assessment and placement recommendation by a county multidisciplinary team prior to placement of a child in an out-of-state group home, to investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect of minors so placed, and to ensure that out-of-state group homes, accepting California children, meet all California group home licensing standards. (c) This section is declaratory of existing law with respect to the Governor's designation of the State Department of Social Services to act as the compact administrator and of that department to act as the single state agency charged with supervision of public social services under Section 10600 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. SEC. 2. Section 7911.1 of the Family Code is amended to read: 7911.1. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Department of Social Services or its designee shall investigate any threat to the health and safety of children placed by a California county social services agency or probation department in an out-of-state group home pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. This authority shall include the authority to interview children or staff in private or review their file at the out-of-state facility or wherever the child or files may be at the time of the investigation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the State Department of Social Services or its designee shall require certified out-of-state group homes to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to group homes licensed in California pursuant to Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations for each child in care regardless of whether he or she is a California placement, by submitting a copy of the required reports to the Compact Administrator within regulatory timeframes. The Compact Administrator within one business day of receiving a serious events report shall verbally notify the appropriate placement agencies and within five working days of receiving a written report from the out-of-state group home, forward a copy of the written report to the appropriate placement agencies. (b) Any contract, memorandum of understanding, or agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (b) of Article 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children regarding the placement of a child out of state by a California county social services agency or probation department shall include the language set forth in subdivision (a). (c) The State Department of Social Services or its designee shall perform initial and continuing inspection of out-of-state group homes in order to either certify that the out-of-state group home meets all licensure standards required of group homes operated in California or that the department has granted a waiver to a specific licensing standard upon a finding that there exists no adverse impact to health and safety. Any failure by an out-of-state group home facility to make children or staff available as required by subdivision (a) for a private interview or make files available for review shall be grounds to deny or discontinue the certification. The State Department of Social Services shall grant or deny an initial certification or a waiver under this subdivision to an out-of-state group home facility that has more than six California children placed by a county social services agency or probation department by August 19, 1999. The department shall grant or deny an initial certification or a waiver under this subdivision to an out-of-state group home facility that has six or fewer California children placed by a county social services agency or probation department by February 19, 2000. Certifications made pursuant to this subdivision shall be reviewed annually. (d) Within six months of the effective date of this section, a county shall be required to obtain an assessment and placement recommendation by a county multidisciplinary team for each child in an out-of-state group home facility. On or after March 1, 1999, a county shall be required to obtain an assessment and placement recommendation by a county multidisciplinary team prior to placement of a child in an out-of-state group home facility. (e) Any failure by an out-of-state group home to obtain or maintain its certification as required by subdivision (c) shall preclude the use of any public funds, whether county, state, or federal, in the payment for the placement of any child in that out-of-state group home, pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. (f) (1) A multidisciplinary team shall consist of participating members from county social services, county mental health, county probation, county superintendents of schools, and other members as determined by the county. (2) Participants shall have knowledge or experience in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases, and shall be qualified to recommend a broad range of services related to child abuse or neglect. (g) (1) The department may deny, suspend, or discontinue the certification of the out-of-state group home if the department makes a finding that the group home is not operating in compliance with the requirements of subdivision (c). (2) Any judicial proceeding to contest the department's determination as to the status of the out-of-state group home certificate shall be held in California pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (h) This section shall not impact placements made pursuant to Chapter 26.5 (commencing with Section 7570) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code relating to seriously emotionally disturbed children. (i) Only an out-of-state group home authorized by the Compact Administrator to receive state funds for the placement by a county social services agency or probation department of any child in that out-of-state group home from the effective date of this section shall be eligible for public funds pending the department's certification under this section. SEC. 3. Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 1522. The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a community care facility, foster family home, or a certified family home of a licensed foster family agency. Therefore, the Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999, otherwise known as the California Crime Information Intelligence System (CAL-CII), to be used for applicant fingerprints. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with community care clients may pose a risk to the clients' health and safety. (a) Before issuing a license or special permit to any person or persons to operate or manage a community care facility, the State Department of Social Services shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and the person has not been exonerated. That criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, of any of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code. No fee shall be charged by the Department of Justice or the State Department of Social Services for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license or special permit to operate a facility providing nonmedical board, room, and care for six or less children or for obtaining a criminal record of the applicant pursuant to this section. The following shall apply to the criminal record information: (1) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). (2) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services shall cease processing the application until the conclusion of the trial. (3) If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact. (4) If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). (5) An applicant and any other person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit a second set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice for the purpose of searching the criminal records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the criminal records search required by this subdivision. If an applicant and all other persons described in subdivision (b) meet all of the conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information for the applicant or any of the persons described in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described in subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, the department determines that the licensee or a person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to Section 1550. The department may also suspend the license pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1550.5. (b) In addition to the applicant, this section shall be applicable to criminal convictions of the following persons: (1) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff. (2) Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility. (3) Any person who provides client assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or 1736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant and certified home health aide who will be providing client assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to the adult community care facility. The facility shall maintain the copy of the certification on file as long as care is being provided by the certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility. Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide from a licensed community care facility pursuant to Section 1558. (4) (A) Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the clients. A volunteer shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if the volunteer is a relative of a client in care at the facility and is not used to replace or supplement staff in providing direct care and supervision of clients. (B) A volunteer in an adult residential facility shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if he or she is a relative, significant other, or close friend of a client receiving care in the facility and the volunteer is not used to replace or supplant staff in providing direct care and supervision of clients. (5) If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in like capacity. (6) Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the person's capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility. (c) (1) Subsequent to initial licensure, any person specified in subdivision (b) and not exempted from fingerprinting shall, as a condition to employment, residence, or presence in a community care facility, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit these fingerprints to the Department of Justice, along with a second set of fingerprints for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), prior to the person's employment, residence, or initial presence in the community care facility. These fingerprints shall be on a card provided by the State Department of Social Services for the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints, and shall be submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee or sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services. A licensee's failure to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency and the immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprints shall then be submitted to the State Department of Social Services for processing. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. (2) Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided for in subdivision (a). If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints. Documentation of the individual's clearance or exemption shall be maintained by the licensee and be available for inspection. If new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible. When live-scan technology is operational, as defined in Section 1522.04, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services, as required by that section, and the State Department of Social Services shall also notify the licensee by mail, within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal history recorded. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1548. (3) Except for persons specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted under this subdivision. If it is determined by the State Department of Social Services, on the basis of the fingerprints submitted to the Department of Justice, that the person has been convicted of, or is awaiting trial for, a sex offense against a minor, or has been convicted for an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, or 273d or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee to act immediately to terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility. The State Department of Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). If the conviction or arrest was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (1) terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the community care facility, or bar the person from entering the community care facility; or (2) seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). The State Department of Social Services shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption is rendered. A licensee's failure to comply with the department's prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. (4) The department may issue an exemption on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (g) if the person's criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulation to establish the criteria to grant an exemption pursuant to this paragraph. (5) Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (3), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). The individual may seek an exemption only if the licensee terminates the person's employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (3). (d) (1) Before issuing a license, special permit, or certificate of approval to any person or persons to operate or manage a foster family home or certified family home as described in Section 1506, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code or arrested for violating Section 245 or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and the person has not been exonerated. That criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons. No fee shall be charged by the Department of Justice or the State Department of Social Services for the fingerprinting of an applicant for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval described in this subdivision. The record, if any, shall be taken into consideration when evaluating a prospective applicant. The following shall apply to the criminal record information: (A) If the applicant or other persons specified in subdivision (b) have convictions that would make the applicant's home unfit as a foster family home or a certified family home, the license, special permit, or certificate of approval shall be denied. (B) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall cease processing the application until the conclusion of the trial. (C) For the purposes of this subdivision, a criminal record clearance provided under Section 8712 of the Family Code may be used by the department or other approving agency. (D) An applicant for a foster family home license or for certification as a family home, and any other person specified in subdivision (b), shall submit a set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice for the purpose of searching the criminal records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the criminal records search required by subdivision (a). If an applicant meets all other conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information for the applicant and all persons described in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license, or the foster family agency may issue a certificate of approval, if the applicant, and each person described in subdivision (b), has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure or certification, the department determines that the licensee, certified foster parent, or any person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to Section 1550 and the certificate of approval revoked pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1534. The department may also suspend the license pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1550.5. (2) Any person specified in this subdivision shall, as a part of the application, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions or arrests for any crime against a child, spousal or cohabitant abuse or, any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and shall submit these fingerprints to the licensing agency or other approving authority. (3) (A) The foster family agency shall obtain fingerprints from certified home applicants and from persons specified in subdivision (b) and shall submit them directly to the Department of Justice or send them by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services. A foster family home licensee or foster family agency shall submit these fingerprints to the Department of Justice, along with a second set of fingerprints for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) prior to the person's employment, residence, or initial presence. A licensee's failure to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice, or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in a citation of a deficiency, and the immediate civil penalties of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The State Department of Social Services may assess penalties for continued violations, as permitted by Section 1548. The fingerprints shall then be submitted to the State Department of Social Services for processing. (B) Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. Within five working days of the receipt of the criminal record or information regarding criminal convictions from the Department of Justice, the department shall notify the applicant of any criminal arrests or convictions. If no arrests or convictions are recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the foster home licensee or the foster family agency with a statement of that fact concurrent with providing the information to the State Department of Social Services. (4) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). (5) If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure or the granting of the certificate of approval that the licensee, certified foster parent, or any other person specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license or certificate of approval may be revoked by the department or the foster family agency, whichever is applicable, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (g). A licensee's failure to comply with the department's prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. (e) The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client. The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility. (f) (1) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action which the State Department of Social Services is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice, or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code, shall be prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action. (2) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state. (g) (1) After review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license or special permit as specified in paragraphs (1) and (4) of subdivision (a), or for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval as specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subdivision (d), or for employment, residence, or presence in a community care facility as specified in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (c), if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of such good character as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, no exemption shall be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for an offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (a) of Section 290, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code. The director may grant an exemption if the employee or prospective employee, who was convicted of a crime against an individual prescribed in paragraph (1), (2), (7), or (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, has been rehabilitated as provided in Section 4852.03 of the Penal Code, has maintained the conduct required in Section 4852.05 of the Penal Code for at least 10 years, and has the recommendation of the district attorney representing the employee's county of residence, or if the employee or prospective employee has received a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code. (2) The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1558. (h) (1) For purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal records clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another state licensing district office. The request shall be in writing to the State Department of Social Services, and shall include a copy of the person's driver's license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the State Department of Social Services shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred. (2) The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal record clearances in its active files for a minimum of two years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal record clearance to be transferred. (i) The full criminal record obtained for purposes of this section may be used by the department or by a licensed adoption agency as a clearance required for adoption purposes. (j) If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on written notification from the state department that the employee has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for employment under Section 1558, the licensee or facility shall not incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result of that denial or termination. (k) (1) The Department of Justice shall coordinate with the State Department of Social Services to establish and implement an automated live-scan processing system for fingerprints in the district offices of the Community Care Licensing Division of the State Department of Social Services by July 1, 1999. These live-scan processing units shall be connected to the main system at the Department of Justice by July 1, 1999, and shall become part of that department's pilot project in accordance with its long-range plan. The State Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the costs of processing a set of live-scan fingerprints. (2) The Department of Justice shall provide a report to the Senate and Assembly fiscal committees, the Assembly Human Services Committee, and to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee by April 15, 1999, regarding the completion of backlogged criminal record clearance requests for all facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services and the progress on implementing the automated live-scan processing system in the two district offices pursuant to paragraph (1). (l) Amendments to this section made in the 1999 portion of the 1999-2000 Regular Session shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1999 portion of the 1999-2000 Regular Session, except that those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be implemented 90 days after the effective date of that act. SEC. 4. Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 1569.17. The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a residential care facility for the elderly. The Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with clients of residential care facilities for the elderly may pose a risk to the clients' health and safety. (a) Before issuing a license to any person or persons to operate or manage a residential care facility for the elderly, the department shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and the person has been exonerated. That criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code. The following shall apply to the criminal record information: (1) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (2) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services shall cease processing the application until the conclusion of the trial. (3) If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact. (4) If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (5) An applicant and any person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit a second set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice, for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the search required by subdivision (a). If an applicant meets all other conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information for the applicant and persons listed in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described by subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, the department determines that the licensee or person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to Section 1569.50. The department may also suspend the license pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Sections 1569.50 and 1569.51. (b) In addition to the applicant, the provisions of this section shall be applicable to criminal convictions of the following persons: (1) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff. (2) Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility. (3) Any person who provides client assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or 1736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant and certified home health aide who will be providing client assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to the residential care facility for the elderly. The facility shall maintain the copy of the certification on file as long as the care is being provided by the certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility. Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide from a licensed residential care facility for the elderly pursuant to Section 1569.58. (4) (A) Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the clients. (B) A volunteer shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if he or she is a relative, significant other, or close friend of a client receiving care in the facility and the volunteer is not used to replace or supplement staff in providing direct care and supervision of clients. (5) If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in like capacity. (6) Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the person's capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility. (c) (1) (A) Subsequent to initial licensure, any person specified in subdivision (b) and not exempted from fingerprinting shall, as a condition to employment, residence, or presence in a residential facility for the elderly, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit these fingerprints, along with a second set of fingerprints for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to the Department of Justice, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) prior to the person's employment, residence, or initial presence in the residential care facility for the elderly. (B) These fingerprints shall be on a card provided by the State Department of Social Services for the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints and submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee or sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services. A licensee's failure to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The State Department of Social Services may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1569.49. The fingerprints shall then be submitted to the State Department of Social Services for processing. Documentation of the individual's clearance or exemption shall be maintained by the licensee and be available for inspection. When live-scan technology is operational, as defined in Section 1522.04, the Department of Justice shall notify the department, as required by that section, and notify the licensee by mail within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal record. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1569.49. (2) Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided for in this subdivision. If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints. If new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible. (3) Except for persons specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted under this subdivision. If it is determined by the State Department of Social Services, on the basis of the fingerprints submitted to the Department of Justice, that the person has been convicted of a sex offense against a minor, an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, or 273d, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee in writing within 15 calendar days of the receipt of the notification from the Department of Justice to act immediately to terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the residential care facility for the elderly, or bar the person from entering the residential care facility for the elderly. The State Department of Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). If the conviction was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (1) terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the residential care facility for the elderly, or bar the person from entering the residential care facility for the elderly; or (2) seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The department shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption is rendered by the department. A licensee's failure to comply with the department's prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1569.50. (4) The department may issue an exemption on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (f) if the person's criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria to grant an exemption pursuant to this paragraph. (5) Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (4), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The individual may seek an exemption only if the licensee terminates the person's employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (4). (d) (1) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action that the department is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of the sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting a person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code shall be prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action. (2) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state. (e) The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client. The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility. (f) (1) After review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license as specified in paragraphs (1) and (4) of subdivision (a), or for employment, residence, or presence in a residential care facility for the elderly as specified in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of subdivision (c) if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of such good character as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). However, no exemption shall be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for an offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (a) of Section 290, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code. The director shall notify in writing the licensee or the applicant of his or her decision within 60 days of receipt of all information from the applicant and other sources determined necessary by the director for the rendering of a decision pursuant to this subdivision. (2) The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1569.58. (g) (1) For purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal records clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another state licensing district office. The request shall be submitted, in writing to the department, and shall include a copy of the person's driver's license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for this purpose, the department shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred. (2) The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal records clearances in its active files for a minimum of two years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal records clearances to be transferred under this section. (h) If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on written notification from the state department that the employee has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for employment under Section 1569.58, the licensee or facility shall not incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result of that denial or termination. (i) Amendments to the provisions of this section made in the 1998 calendar year shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1998 calendar year, except those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which shall be implemented commencing January 1, 1999. SEC. 4.5. Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 1569.17. The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a residential care facility for the elderly. The Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with clients of residential care facilities for the elderly may pose a risk to the clients' health and safety. (a) Before issuing a license to any person or persons to operate or manage a residential care facility for the elderly, the department shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and the person has been exonerated. That criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code. The following shall apply to the criminal record information: (1) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (2) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services shall cease processing the application until the conclusion of the trial. (3) If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact. (4) If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (5) An applicant and any person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit a second set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice, for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the search required by subdivision (a). If an applicant meets all other conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information for the applicant and persons listed in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described by subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, the department determines that the licensee or person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to Section 1569.50. The department may also suspend the license pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Sections 1569.50 and 1569.51. (b) In addition to the applicant, the provisions of this section shall apply to criminal convictions of the following persons: (1) (A) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff. (B) Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility. Residents of unlicensed independent senior housing facilities that are located in contiguous buildings on the same property as a residential care facility for the elderly shall be exempt from these requirements. (C) Any person who provides client assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or 1736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant and certified home health aide who will be providing client assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to the residential care facility for the elderly. The facility shall maintain the copy of the certification on file as long as the care is being provided by the certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility. Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide from a licensed residential care facility for the elderly pursuant to Section 1569.58. (D) Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the clients. (E) If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in a similar capacity. (F) Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the person's capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility. (2) The following persons are exempt from requirements applicable under paragraph (1): (A) A spouse, significant other, or close friend of a client shall be exempt if this person is visiting the client or provides direct care and supervision to that client only. (B) A volunteer to whom all of the following apply: (i) The volunteer is at the facility during normal waking hours. (ii) The volunteer is directly supervised by the licensee or a facility employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption. (iii) The volunteer spends no more than 16 hours per week at the facility. (iv) The volunteer does not provide clients with assistance in dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. (v) The volunteer is not left alone with clients in care. (C) A third-party contractor retained by the facility if the contractor is not left alone with clients in care. (D) A third-party contractor or other business professional retained by a client and at the facility at the request or by permission of that client. These individuals shall not be left alone with other clients. (E) Licensed or certified medical professionals are exempt from fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed by community care licensing. This exemption shall not apply to a person who is a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility. (F) Employees of licensed home health agencies and members of licensed hospice interdisciplinary teams who have contact with a resident of a residential care facility at the request of the resident or resident's legal decisionmaker are exempt from fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed by community care licensing. This exemption shall not apply to a person who is a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility. (G) Clergy and other spiritual caregivers who are performing services in common areas of the residential care facility, or who are advising an individual resident at the request of, or with permission of, the resident, are exempt from fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed by community care licensing. This exemption shall not apply to a person who is a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility. (H) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a licensee from requiring a criminal record clearance of any individual exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that the individual has client contact. (c) (1) (A) Subsequent to initial licensure, any person required to be fingerprinted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall, as a condition to employment, residence, or presence in a residential facility for the elderly, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit these fingerprints, along with a second set of fingerprints for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to the Department of Justice, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) prior to the person's employment, residence, or initial presence in the residential care facility for the elderly. (B) These fingerprints shall be on a fingerprint card provided by the State Department of Social Services and submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee or sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services. A licensee's failure to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The State Department of Social Services may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1569.49. The licensee shall then submit these fingerprints to the State Department of Social Services for processing. Documentation of the individual's clearance or exemption shall be maintained by the licensee and be available for inspection. When live-scan technology is operational, as defined in Section 1522.04, the Department of Justice shall notify the department, as required by that section, and notify the licensee by mail within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal record. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by Section 1569.49. (2) Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided for in this subdivision. If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints. If new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible. (3) Except for persons specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted under this subdivision. If the State Department of Social Services determines, on the basis of the fingerprints submitted to the Department of Justice, that the person has been convicted of a sex offense against a minor, an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, or 273d, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee in writing within 15 calendar days of the receipt of the notification from the Department of Justice to act immediately to terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the residential care facility for the elderly, or bar the person from entering the residential care facility for the elderly. The State Department of Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). If the conviction was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (1) terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the residential care facility for the elderly, or bar the person from entering the residential care facility for the elderly or (2) seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The department shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption is rendered by the department. A licensee's failure to comply with the department's prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1569.50. (4) The department may issue an exemption on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (f) if the person's criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria to grant an exemption pursuant to this paragraph. (5) Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (4), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The individual may seek an exemption only if the licensee terminates the person's employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (4). (d) (1) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action that the department is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of the sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting a person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code shall be prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action. (2) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state. (e) The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client. The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility. (f) (1) After review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license as specified in paragraphs (1) and (4) of subdivision (a), or for employment, residence, or presence in a residential care facility for the elderly as specified in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of subdivision (c) if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of such good character as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). However, no exemption shall be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for an offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (a) of Section 290, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code. The director shall notify in writing the licensee or the applicant of his or her decision within 60 days of receipt of all information from the applicant and other sources determined necessary by the director for the rendering of a decision pursuant to this subdivision. (2) The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1569.58. (g) (1) For purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal records clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another state licensing district office. The request shall be submitted in writing to the department, and shall include a copy of the person's driver's license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for this purpose, the department shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred. (2) The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal records clearances in its active files for a minimum of two years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal records clearances to be transferred under this section. (h) If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on written notification from the state department that the employee has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for employment under Section 1569.58, the licensee or facility shall not incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result of that denial or termination. (i) Amendments to the provisions of this section made in the 1998 calendar year shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1998 calendar year, except those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which shall be implemented commencing on January 1, 1999. SEC. 5. Section 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 1596.871. The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a child care center or family child care home. Therefore, the Legislature supports the use of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as defined in the long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999, otherwise known as the California Crime Information Intelligence System (CAL-CII), to be used for applicant fingerprints. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with child day care facility clients may pose a risk to the children's health and safety. (a) Before issuing a license or special permit to any person to operate or manage a day care facility, the department shall secure from an appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5, subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person was convicted and the person has not been exonerated. That criminal history information shall include the full criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code. No fee shall be charged by the Department of Justice or the department for the fingerprinting of an applicant who will serve six or fewer children or any family day care applicant for a license, or for obtaining a criminal record of an applicant pursuant to this section. The following shall apply to the criminal record information: (1) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision (b) has been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (2) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b), is awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services shall cease processing the application until the conclusion of the trial. (3) If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact. (4) If the State Department of Social Services finds after licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked, unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). (5) An applicant and any person specified in subdivision (b) shall submit a second set of fingerprints to the Department of Justice, for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the search required by subdivision (a). If an applicant meets all other conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information for the applicant and persons listed in subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant and each person described by subdivision (b) has signed and submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, the department determines that the licensee or person specified in subdivision (b) has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to Section 1596.885. The department may also suspend the license pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1596.886. (b) (1) In addition to the applicant, this section shall be applicable to criminal convictions of the following persons: (A) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff. (B) Any person, other than a child, residing in the facility. (C) Any person who provides care and supervision to the children. (D) Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact with the children. (i) A volunteer providing time-limited specialized services, shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if this person is directly supervised by the licensee or a facility employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption, the volunteer spends no more than 16 hours per week at the facility, and the volunteer is not left alone with children in care. (ii) A student enrolled or participating at an accredited educational institution shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if the student is directly supervised by the licensee or a facility employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption, the facility has an agreement with the educational institution concerning the placement of the student, the student spends no more than 16 hours per week at the facility, and the student is not left alone with children in care. (iii) A volunteer who is a relative, legal guardian, or foster parent of a client in the facility shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision. (iv) A contracted repair person retained by the facility, if not left alone with children in care, shall be exempt from the requirements of this subdivision. (E) If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer, other person serving in like capacity, or a person designated by the chief executive officer as responsible for the operation of the facility, as designated by the applicant agency. (F) If the applicant is a local educational agency, the president of the governing board, the school district superintendent, or a person designated to administer the operation of the facility, as designated by the local educational agency. (G) Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the person's capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of the facility. (H) This section does not apply to employees of child care and development programs under contract with the State Department of Education who have completed a criminal records clearance as part of an application to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and who possess a current credential or permit issued by the commission, including employees of child care and development programs that serve both children subsidized under, and children not subsidized under, a State Department of Education contract. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing shall notify the department upon revocation of a current credential or permit issued to an employee of a child care and development program under contract with the State Department of Education. (I) This section does not apply to employees of a child care and development program operated by a school district, county office of education, or community college district under contract with the State Department of Education who have completed a criminal records clearance as a condition of employment. The school district, county office of education, or community college district upon receiving information that the status of an employee's criminal record clearance has changed shall submit that information to the department. (2) Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a licensee from requiring a criminal record clearance of any individuals exempt from the requirements under this subdivision. (c) (1) (A) Subsequent to initial licensure, any person specified in subdivision (b) and not exempted from fingerprinting shall, as a condition to employment, residence, or presence in a child day care facility be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal conviction. The licensee shall submit these fingerprints to the Department of Justice, along with a second set of fingerprints for the purpose of searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), prior to the person's employment, residence, or initial presence in the child day care facility. (B) These fingerprints shall be on a card provided by the State Department of Social Services for the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints and submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee or sent by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State Department of Social Services. A licensee's failure to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice, or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a deficiency, and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The State Department of Social Services may assess civil penalties for continued violations permitted by Sections 1596.99 and 1597.62. The fingerprints shall then be submitted to the State Department of Social Services for processing. Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of Social Services 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 licensee and the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints. If new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee that the fingerprints were illegible. (C) Documentation of the individual's clearance or exemption shall be maintained by the licensee, and shall be available for inspection. When live-scan technology is operational, as defined in Section 1522.04, the Department of Justice shall notify the department, as required by that section, and notify the licensee by mail within 14 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal record. Any violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. The department may assess civil penalties for continued violations, as permitted by Sections 1596.99 and 1597.62. (2) Except for persons specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain the previous employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted under this subdivision. If it is determined by the department, on the basis of fingerprints submitted to the Department of Justice, that the person has been convicted of a sex offense against a minor, an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, or 273d, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee to act immediately to terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the child day care facility, or bar the person from entering the child day care facility. The department may subsequently grant an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). If the conviction was for another crime except a minor traffic violation, the licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social Services, act immediately to either (1) terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the child day care facility, or bar the person from entering the child day care facility; or (2) seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The department shall determine if the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision on the exemption is rendered. A licensee's failure to comply with the department's prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this paragraph shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1596.885 or 1596.886. (3) The department may issue an exemption on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (f) if the person's criminal history indicates that the person is of good character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria to grant an exemption pursuant to this paragraph. (4) Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to paragraph (3), the department shall notify the affected individual of his or her right to seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f). The individual may seek an exemption only if the licensee terminates the person's employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (3). (d) (1) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action which the department is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice, or documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code, shall be prima facie evidence of conviction, notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action. (2) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was committed in this state. (e) The State Department of Social Services shall not use a record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application, license, employment, or residence unless the department investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client. The State Department of Social Services is authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility. (f) (1) After review of the record, the director may grant an exemption from disqualification for a license or special permit as specified in paragraphs (1) and (4) of subdivision (a), or for employment, residence, or presence in a child day care facility as specified in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (c) if the director has substantial and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant, are of good character so as to justify issuance of the license or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c). However, no exemption shall be granted pursuant to this subdivision if the conviction was for an offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1, subdivision (a) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994, paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288, or 289, subdivision (a) of Section 290, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code. (2) The department shall not prohibit a person from being employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information unless the department complies with the requirements of Section 1596.8897. (g) Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. (h) (1) For the purposes of compliance with this section, the department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal records clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been processed through a state licensing district office, and is being transferred to another state licensing district office. The request shall be in writing to the department, and shall include a copy of the person's driver's license or valid identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another state or the United States government if the person is not a California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for this purpose, the department shall verify whether the individual has a clearance that can be transferred. (2) The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal records clearances in its active files for a minimum of two years after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in order for the criminal records clearances to be transferred. (i) Amendments to this section made in the 1998 calendar year shall be implemented commencing 60 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in the 1998 calendar year, except those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which shall be implemented commencing January 1, 1999. SEC. 6. Section 361.21 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 361.21. (a) The court shall not order the placement of a minor in an out-of-state group home, unless the court finds, in its order of placement, that all of the following conditions have been met: (1) The out-of-state group home is licensed or certified for the placement of minors by an agency of the state in which the minor will be placed. (2) The out-of-state group home meets the requirements of Section 7911.1 of the Family Code. (3) In-state facilities or programs have been determined to be unavailable or inadequate to meet the needs of the minor. (b) At least every six months, the court shall review each placement made pursuant to subdivision (a) in order to determine compliance with that subdivision. (c) A county shall not be entitled to receive or expend any public funds for the placement of a minor in an out-of-state group home unless the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) are met. SEC. 7. Section 727.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 727.1. (a) Unless otherwise authorized by law, the court may not order the placement of a minor who is adjudged a ward of the court on the basis that he or she is a person described by either Section 601 or 602 in a private residential facility or program that provides 24-hour supervision, outside of the state, unless the court finds, in its order of placement, that all of the following conditions are met: (1) In-state facilities or programs have been determined to be unavailable or inadequate to meet the needs of the minor. (2) The out-of-state residential facility or program is licensed for the placement of minors by an agency of the state or states in which the minor will be placed or operates under and is inspected pursuant to standards comparable to those developed by the Board of Corrections for similar facilities or programs. (3) The requirements of Section 7911.1 of the Family Code are met. (b) If, upon inspection, the probation officer of the county in which the minor is adjudged a ward of the court determines that the out-of-state facility or program is not in compliance with the standards required under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or has an adverse impact on the health and safety of the child, the probation officer may temporarily remove the minor from the facility or program. The probation officer shall promptly inform the court of the minor's removal, and shall return the minor to the court for a hearing to review the suitability of continued out-of-state placement. The probation officer shall, within one business day of removing the child, notify the State Department of Social Services' Compact Administrator, and, within five working days, submit a written report of the findings and actions taken. (c) The court shall review each of these placements for compliance with the requirements of subdivision (a) at least once every six months. (d) The county shall not be entitled to receive or expend any public funds for the placement of a minor in an out-of-state group home unless the conditions of subdivision (a) and (c) are met. SEC. 8. Section 11466.21 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 11466.21. (a) (1) In accordance with subdivision (b), as a condition to receive an AFDC-FC rate for a group home program or a foster family agency program that provides treatment services, the provider shall arrange to have a financial audit conducted on an annual basis. (2) The scope of the financial audit shall include all of the programs and activities operated by the provider and shall not be limited to those funded in whole or in part by the AFDC-FC program. The financial audits shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the accounting and control systems of the provider. (3) The provider shall have its financial audit made by certified public accountants or by state-licensed public accountants who have no direct or indirect relationship with the functions or activities being audited, or with the provider, its board of directors, officers, or staff. (4) The provider shall have its financial audits made using generally accepted auditing standards applicable to private entities organized and operated on a nonprofit basis. (5) (A) Each provider shall have the flexibility to define the calendar months included in its fiscal year. (B) A provider may change the definition of its fiscal year. However, the financial audit conducted following the change shall cover all of the months since the last audit, even though this may cover a period that exceeds 12 months. (b) (1) Except as provided for in paragraph (3), as a condition to receive an AFDC-FC rate that becomes effective on or after July 1, 2000, a provider shall submit a copy of its most recent financial audit as a component of any rate application, including an annual rate application, an application for a rate for a new program of an existing or new provider, an application for a change in a program's rate classification level, and an application for a program change. (2) A rate application shall not be considered complete until and unless the most recent financial audit of the provider is submitted to the department. (3) (A) For the period July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2000, a new provider that was incorporated on or after October 1, 1997, shall not be required to submit a copy of a financial audit as a component of its application for an AFDC-FC rate for a new program. (B) Effective July 1, 2000, a new provider that has been incorporated for fewer than 12 calendar months shall not be required to submit a copy of a financial audit as a component of its application for an AFDC-FC rate for a new program. (c) The department shall develop regulations establishing a process for group home and foster family agency providers, with a total licensed capacity of 12 or fewer persons, to apply for and receive financial assistance for the conduct of the annual financial audit. In recognition of the fact that the costs of a financial audit will be higher for small providers, relative to their revenues and expenditures, than they will be for larger providers, financial assistance shall be provided on a sliding scale basis to offset the costs of the audit. An eligible provider may receive up to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) annually, or one-half of the actual costs of the financial audit, whichever is less. The department shall implement this subdivision through the adoption of emergency regulations. SEC. 9. Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code proposed by both this bill and SB 286. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2000, but this bill becomes operative first, (2) each bill amends Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 286, in which case Section 1569.17 of the Health and Safety Code, as amended by Section 4 of this bill, shall remain operative only until the operative date of SB 286, at which time Section 4.5 of this bill shall become operative. SEC. 10. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because in that regard this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. However, notwithstanding Section 17610 of the Government Code, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. If the statewide cost of the claim for reimbursement does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000), reimbursement shall be made from the State Mandates Claims Fund. SEC. 11. This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are: In order to ensure that important changes are made in provisions relating to the foster care system in California, at the earliest possible time, it is necessary that this act go into immediate effect.