Senate BillNo. 1136


Introduced by Senators Huff and Mitchell

February 20, 2014


An act to amend Sections 1522 and 1522.08 of the Health and Safety Code, to amend Section 11105 of the Penal Code, and to amend Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to foster care.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1136, as introduced, Huff. Foster care providers: criminal records.

Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to license and regulate community care facilities, including foster family homes, certified family homes of licensed foster family agencies, and group homes. Existing law requires that persons providing care or services at these homes or facilities obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification from the department, as prescribed.

Existing law authorizes a child welfare agency to secure from an appropriate governmental criminal justice agency the state summary criminal history information for specified purposes, including an assessment of the appropriateness of placing a child subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court with a relative or nonrelative extended family member.

This bill would authorize the State Department of Social Services to share all information related to a criminal record clearance or exemption granted by the department with a county child welfare agency with responsibility to monitor the health and safety of persons receiving care, treatment, or services from state licensed foster homes, certified homes of licensed foster family agencies and employees of those agencies, and licensed group homes. The bill would further authorize a county child welfare agency to receive state-summary criminal history information for purposes of assessing the appropriateness and safety of placing a child who has been detained or is a dependent of the court in a licensed foster family home, group home, or state-licensed foster home, and monitoring the health and safety of persons in those placements.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P2    1

SECTION 1.  

Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code is
2amended to read:

3

1522.  

The Legislature recognizes the need to generate timely
4and accurate positive fingerprint identification of applicants as a
5condition of issuing licenses, permits, or certificates of approval
6for persons to operate or provide direct care services in a
7community care facility, foster family home, or a certified family
8home of a licensed foster family agency.begin insert The Legislature also
9recognizes the need for sharing of information between the State
10Department of Social Services and county child welfare agencies
11in order to protect the health and safety of persons receiving care,
12treatment, or services from individuals or facilities licensed or
13certified by the state.end insert
Therefore, the Legislature supports the use
14of the fingerprint live-scan technology, as identified in the
15long-range plan of the Department of Justice for fully automating
16the processing of fingerprints and other data by the year 1999,
17otherwise known as the California Crime Information Intelligence
18System (CAL-CII), to be used for applicant fingerprints. It is the
19intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the
20fingerprints of those individuals whose contact with community
21care clients may pose a risk to the clients’ health and safety. An
22individual shall be required to obtain either a criminal record
23clearance or a criminal record exemption from the State Department
24of Social Services before his or her initial presence in a community
25care facility.

26(a) (1) Before issuing a license or special permit to any person
27or persons to operate or manage a community care facility, the
28State Department of Social Services shall secure from an
29appropriate law enforcement agency a criminal record to determine
30whether the applicant or any other person specified in subdivision
P3    1(b) has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic
2violation or arrested for any crime specified in Section 290 of the
3Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5, of the Penal Code,
4subdivision (b) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or, prior to
5January 1, 1994, paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code,
6or for any crime for which the department cannot grant an
7exemption if the person was convicted and the person has not been
8exonerated.

9(2) The criminal history information shall include the full
10criminal record, if any, of those persons, and subsequent arrest
11information pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

12(3) Except during the 2003-04 to the 2014-15 fiscal years,
13inclusive, neither the Department of Justice nor the State
14Department of Social Services may charge a fee for the
15fingerprinting of an applicant for a license or special permit to
16operate a facility providing nonmedical board, room, and care for
17six or less children or for obtaining a criminal record of the
18applicant pursuant to this section.

19(4) The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

20(A) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the
21applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b), has
22been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the
23application shall be denied, unless the director grants an exemption
24pursuant to subdivision (g).

25(B) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the
26applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) is
27awaiting trial for a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the
28State Department of Social Services may cease processing the
29application until the conclusion of the trial.

30(C) If no criminal record information has been recorded, the
31Department of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State
32Department of Social Services with a statement of that fact.

33(D) If the State Department of Social Services finds after
34licensure that the licensee, or any other person specified in
35paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), has been convicted of a crime
36other than a minor traffic violation, the license may be revoked,
37unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision
38(g).

39(E) An applicant and any other person specified in subdivision
40(b) shall submit fingerprint images and related information to the
P4    1Department of Justice for the purpose of searching the criminal
2records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to the
3criminal records search required by this subdivision. If an applicant
4and all other persons described in subdivision (b) meet all of the
5conditions for licensure, except receipt of the Federal Bureau of
6Investigation’s criminal offender record information search
7response for the applicant or any of the persons described in
8subdivision (b), the department may issue a license if the applicant
9and each person described in subdivision (b) has signed and
10submitted a statement that he or she has never been convicted of
11a crime in the United States, other than a traffic infraction, as
12prescribed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 42001 of
13the Vehicle Code. If, after licensure, the department determines
14that the licensee or any other person specified in subdivision (b)
15has a criminal record, the license may be revoked pursuant to
16Section 1550. The department may also suspend the license
17pending an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1550.5.

18(F) The State Department of Social Services shall develop
19procedures to provide the individual’s state and federal criminal
20history information with the written notification of his or her
21exemption denial or revocation based on the criminal record.
22Receipt of the criminal history information shall be optional on
23the part of the individual, as set forth in the agency’s procedures.
24The procedure shall protect the confidentiality and privacy of the
25individual’s record, and the criminal history information shall not
26be made available to the employer.

27(G) Notwithstanding any other law, the department is authorized
28to provide an individual with a copy of his or her state or federal
29level criminal offender record information search response as
30provided to that department by the Department of Justice if the
31department has denied a criminal background clearance based on
32this information and the individual makes a written request to the
33department for a copy specifying an address to which it is to be
34sent. The state or federal level criminal offender record information
35search response shall not be modified or altered from its form or
36content as provided by the Department of Justice and shall be
37provided to the address specified by the individual in his or her
38written request. The department shall retain a copy of the
39individual’s written request and the response and date provided.

P5    1(b) (1) In addition to the applicant, this section shall be
2applicable to criminal convictions of the following persons:

3(A) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision
4of staff.

5(B) Any person, other than a client, residing in the facility.

6(C) Any person who provides client assistance in dressing,
7grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene. Any nurse assistant or
8home health aide meeting the requirements of Section 1338.5 or
91736.6, respectively, who is not employed, retained, or contracted
10by the licensee, and who has been certified or recertified on or
11after July 1, 1998, shall be deemed to meet the criminal record
12clearance requirements of this section. A certified nurse assistant
13and certified home health aide who will be providing client
14assistance and who falls under this exemption shall provide one
15copy of his or her current certification, prior to providing care, to
16the community care facility. The facility shall maintain the copy
17of the certification on file as long as care is being provided by the
18certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide at the facility.
19Nothing in this paragraph restricts the right of the department to
20exclude a certified nurse assistant or certified home health aide
21from a licensed community care facility pursuant to Section 1558.

22(D) Any staff person, volunteer, or employee who has contact
23with the clients.

24(E) If the applicant is a firm, partnership, association, or
25corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in
26like capacity.

27(F) Additional officers of the governing body of the applicant,
28or other persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as
29determined necessary by the department by regulation. The criteria
30used in the development of these regulations shall be based on the
31person’s capability to exercise substantial influence over the
32operation of the facility.

33(2) The following persons are exempt from the requirements
34applicable under paragraph (1):

35(A) A medical professional as defined in department regulations
36who holds a valid license or certification from the person’s
37governing California medical care regulatory entity and who is
38not employed, retained, or contracted by the licensee if all of the
39following apply:

P6    1(i) The criminal record of the person has been cleared as a
2condition of licensure or certification by the person’s governing
3California medical care regulatory entity.

4(ii) The person is providing time-limited specialized clinical
5care or services.

6(iii) The person is providing care or services within the person’s
7scope of practice.

8(iv) The person is not a community care facility licensee or an
9employee of the facility.

10(B) A third-party repair person or similar retained contractor if
11all of the following apply:

12(i) The person is hired for a defined, time-limited job.

13(ii) The person is not left alone with clients.

14(iii) When clients are present in the room in which the repair
15person or contractor is working, a staff person who has a criminal
16record clearance or exemption is also present.

17(C) Employees of a licensed home health agency and other
18members of licensed hospice interdisciplinary teams who have a
19contract with a client or resident of the facility and are in the
20facility at the request of that client or resident’s legal
21decisionmaker. The exemption does not apply to a person who is
22a community care facility licensee or an employee of the facility.

23(D) Clergy and other spiritual caregivers who are performing
24services in common areas of the community care facility or who
25are advising an individual client at the request of, or with the
26permission of, the client or legal decisionmaker, are exempt from
27fingerprint and criminal background check requirements imposed
28by community care licensing. This exemption does not apply to a
29person who is a community care licensee or employee of the
30facility.

31(E) Members of fraternal, service, or similar organizations who
32conduct group activities for clients if all of the following apply:

33(i) Members are not left alone with clients.

34(ii) Members do not transport clients off the facility premises.

35(iii) The same organization does not conduct group activities
36for clients more often than defined by the department’s regulations.

37(3) In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (2), the following
38persons in foster family homes, certified family homes, and small
39family homes are exempt from the requirements applicable under
40paragraph (1):

P7    1(A) Adult friends and family of the licensed or certified foster
2parent, who come into the home to visit for a length of time no
3longer than defined by the department in regulations, provided
4that the adult friends and family of the licensee are not left alone
5with the foster children. However, the licensee, acting as a
6reasonable and prudent parent, as defined in paragraph (2) of
7subdivision (a) of Section 362.04 of the Welfare and Institutions
8Code, may allow his or her adult friends and family to provide
9short-term care to the foster child and act as an appropriate
10occasional short-term babysitter for the child.

11(B) Parents of a foster child’s friend when the foster child is
12visiting the friend’s home and the friend, licensed or certified foster
13parent, or both are also present. However, the licensee, acting as
14a reasonable and prudent parent, may allow the parent of the foster
15child’s friend to act as an appropriate short-term babysitter for the
16child without the friend being present.

17(C) Individuals who are engaged by any licensed or certified
18foster parent to provide short-term care to the child for periods not
19to exceed 24 hours. Caregivers shall use a reasonable and prudent
20parent standard in selecting appropriate individuals to act as
21appropriate occasional short-term babysitters.

22(4) In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph (2), the
23following persons in adult day care and adult day support centers
24are exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1):

25(A) Unless contraindicated by the client’s individualized
26program plan (IPP) or needs and service plan, a spouse, significant
27other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an attendant or a
28facilitator for a client with a developmental disability if the
29attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or contracted by
30the licensee. This exemption applies only if the person is visiting
31the client or providing direct care and supervision to the client.

32(B) A volunteer if all of the following applies:

33(i) The volunteer is supervised by the licensee or a facility
34employee with a criminal record clearance or exemption.

35(ii) The volunteer is never left alone with clients.

36(iii) The volunteer does not provide any client assistance with
37dressing, grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene other than
38washing of hands.

39(5) (A) In addition to the exemptions specified in paragraph
40(2), the following persons in adult residential and social
P8    1rehabilitation facilities, unless contraindicated by the client’s
2individualized program plan (IPP) or needs and services plan, are
3exempt from the requirements applicable under paragraph (1): a
4spouse, significant other, relative, or close friend of a client, or an
5attendant or a facilitator for a client with a developmental disability
6if the attendant or facilitator is not employed, retained, or
7contracted by the licensee. This exemption applies only if the
8person is visiting the client or providing direct care and supervision
9to that client.

10(B) Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a licensee from
11requiring a criminal record clearance of any individual exempt
12from the requirements of this section, provided that the individual
13has client contact.

14(6) Any person similar to those described in this subdivision,
15as defined by the department in regulations.

16(c) (1) Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in
17subdivision (b) who is not exempted from fingerprinting shall
18obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from
19disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g) from the State
20Department of Social Services prior to employment, residence, or
21initial presence in the facility. A person specified in subdivision
22(b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall be fingerprinted
23and shall sign a declaration under penalty of perjury regarding any
24prior criminal convictions. The licensee shall submit fingerprint
25images and related information to the Department of Justice and
26the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of
27Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record
28information search, or comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision
29(h). These fingerprint images and related information shall be sent
30by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the State
31Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice for
32the purpose of obtaining a permanent set of fingerprints, and shall
33be submitted to the Department of Justice by the licensee. A
34licensee’s failure to prohibit the employment, residence, or initial
35presence of a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt
36from fingerprinting and who has not received either a criminal
37record clearance or an exemption from disqualification pursuant
38to subdivision (g) or to comply with paragraph (1) of subdivision
39(h), as required in this section, shall result in the citation of a
40deficiency and the immediate assessment of civil penalties in the
P9    1amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a
2maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or
3subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the
4civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100)
5per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for
6disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550. The department
7may assess civil penalties for continued violations as permitted by
8Section 1548. The fingerprint images and related information shall
9then be submitted to the Department of Justice for processing.
10Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a self-addressed
11stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of Justice shall
12verify receipt of the fingerprints.

13(2) Within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprint
14images, the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department
15of Social Services of the criminal record information, as provided
16for in subdivision (a). If no criminal record information has been
17recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the licensee and
18the State Department of Social Services with a statement of that
19fact within 14 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprint images.
20Documentation of the individual’s clearance or exemption from
21disqualification shall be maintained by the licensee and be available
22for inspection. If new fingerprint images are required for
23processing, the Department of Justice shall, within 14 calendar
24days from the date of receipt of the fingerprints, notify the licensee
25that the fingerprints were illegible, the Department of Justice shall
26notify the State Department of Social Services, as required by
27Section 1522.04, and shall also notify the licensee by mail, within
2814 days of electronic transmission of the fingerprints to the
29 Department of Justice, if the person has no criminal history
30recorded. A violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section
311522.04 shall result in the citation of a deficiency and an immediate
32assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars
33($100) per violation per day for a maximum of five days, unless
34the violation is a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month
35period in which case the civil penalties shall be in the amount of
36one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for a maximum of 30
37days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant
38to Section 1550. The department may assess civil penalties for
39continued violations as permitted by Section 1548.

P10   1(3) Except for persons specified in subdivision (b) who are
2exempt from fingerprinting, the licensee shall endeavor to ascertain
3the previous employment history of persons required to be
4fingerprinted. If it is determined by the State Department of Social
5Services, on the basis of the fingerprint images and related
6information submitted to the Department of Justice, that subsequent
7to obtaining a criminal record clearance or exemption from
8disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), the person has been
9convicted of, or is awaiting trial for, a sex offense against a minor,
10or has been convicted for an offense specified in Section 243.4,
11273a, 273d, 273g, or 368 of the Penal Code, or a felony, the State
12Department of Social Services shall notify the licensee to act
13immediately to terminate the person’s employment, remove the
14person from the community care facility, or bar the person from
15entering the community care facility. The State Department of
16Social Services may subsequently grant an exemption from
17disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g). If the conviction or
18arrest was for another crime, except a minor traffic violation, the
19licensee shall, upon notification by the State Department of Social
20Services, act immediately to either (A) terminate the person’s
21employment, remove the person from the community care facility,
22or bar the person from entering the community care facility; or
23(B) seek an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision
24(g). The State Department of Social Services shall determine if
25the person shall be allowed to remain in the facility until a decision
26on the exemption from disqualification is rendered. A licensee’s
27failure to comply with the department’s prohibition of employment,
28contact with clients, or presence in the facility as required by this
29paragraph shall result in a citation of deficiency and an immediate
30assessment of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars
31($100) per violation per day and shall be grounds for disciplining
32the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

33(4) The department may issue an exemption from
34disqualification on its own motion pursuant to subdivision (g) if
35the person’s criminal history indicates that the person is of good
36character based on the age, seriousness, and frequency of the
37conviction or convictions. The department, in consultation with
38interested parties, shall develop regulations to establish the criteria
39to grant an exemption from disqualification pursuant to this
40paragraph.

P11   1(5) Concurrently with notifying the licensee pursuant to
2paragraph (3), the department shall notify the affected individual
3of his or her right to seek an exemption from disqualification
4pursuant to subdivision (g). The individual may seek an exemption
5from disqualification only if the licensee terminates the person’s
6employment or removes the person from the facility after receiving
7notice from the department pursuant to paragraph (3).

8(d) (1) Before issuing a license or certificate of approval to any
9person or persons to operate a foster family home or certified
10family home as described in Section 1506, the State Department
11of Social Services or other approving authority shall secure
12California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history
13information to determine whether the applicant or any person
14specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting
15has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic
16violation or arrested for any crime specified in subdivision (c) of
17Section 290 of the Penal Code, for violating Section 245 or 273.5,
18subdivision (b) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994,
19paragraph (2) of Section 273a of the Penal Code, or for any crime
20for which the department cannot grant an exemption if the person
21was convicted and the person has not been exonerated. The State
22Department of Social Services or other approving authority shall
23not issue a license or certificate of approval to any foster family
24home or certified family home applicant who has not obtained
25both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal
26record clearance or exemption from disqualification pursuant to
27subdivision (g).

28(2) The criminal history information shall include the full
29criminal record, if any, of those persons.

30(3) Neither the Department of Justice nor the State Department
31of Social Services may charge a fee for the fingerprinting of an
32applicant for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval
33described in this subdivision. The record, if any, shall be taken
34into consideration when evaluating a prospective applicant.

35(4) The following shall apply to the criminal record information:

36(A) If the applicant or other persons specified in subdivision
37(b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting have convictions that
38would make the applicant’s home unfit as a foster family home or
39a certified family home, the license, special permit, or certificate
40of approval shall be denied.

P12   1(B) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the
2applicant, or any person specified in subdivision (b) who is not
3exempt from fingerprinting is awaiting trial for a crime other than
4a minor traffic violation, the State Department of Social Services
5or other approving authority may cease processing the application
6until the conclusion of the trial.

7(C) For purposes of this subdivision, a criminal record clearance
8provided under Section 8712 of the Family Code may be used by
9the department or other approving agency.

10(D) To the same extent required for federal funding, an applicant
11for a foster family home license or for certification as a family
12home, and any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is
13not exempt from fingerprinting, shall submit a set of fingerprint
14images and related information to the Department of Justice and
15the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of
16Justice, for a state and federal level criminal offender record
17information search, in addition to the criminal records search
18required by subdivision (a).

19(5) Any person specified in this subdivision shall, as a part of
20the application, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration under
21penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions or
22arrests for any crime against a child, spousal or cohabitant abuse
23or, any crime for which the department cannot grant an exemption
24if the person was convicted and shall submit these fingerprints to
25the licensing agency or other approving authority.

26(6) (A) Subsequent to initial licensure or certification, a person
27specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting
28shall obtain both a California and Federal Bureau of Investigation
29criminal record clearance, or an exemption from disqualification
30pursuant to subdivision (g), prior to employment, residence, or
31initial presence in the foster family or certified family home. A
32foster family home licensee or foster family agency shall submit
33fingerprint images and related information of persons specified in
34subdivision (b) who are not exempt from fingerprinting to the
35Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
36through the Department of Justice, for a state and federal level
37criminal offender record information search, or to comply with
38paragraph (1) of subdivision (h). A foster family home licensee’s
39or a foster family agency’s failure to either prohibit the
40employment, residence, or initial presence of a person specified
P13   1in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting and who
2has not received either a criminal record clearance or an exemption
3 from disqualification pursuant to subdivision (g), or comply with
4paragraph (1) of subdivision (h), as required in this section, shall
5result in a citation of a deficiency, and the immediate civil penalties
6of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a maximum
7of five days, unless the violation is a second or subsequent violation
8within a 12-month period in which case the civil penalties shall
9be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation for
10a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for disciplining the
11licensee pursuant to Section 1550. A violation of the regulation
12adopted pursuant to Section 1522.04 shall result in the citation of
13a deficiency and an immediate assessment of civil penalties in the
14amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for a
15maximum of five days, unless the violation is a second or
16subsequent violation within a 12-month period in which case the
17civil penalties shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100)
18per violation for a maximum of 30 days, and shall be grounds for
19disciplining the foster family home licensee or the foster family
20agency pursuant to Section 1550. The State Department of Social
21Services may assess penalties for continued violations, as permitted
22by Section 1548. The fingerprint images shall then be submitted
23to the Department of Justice for processing.

24(B) Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose a
25self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the Department of Justice
26shall verify receipt of the fingerprints. Within five working days
27of the receipt of the criminal record or information regarding
28criminal convictions from the Department of Justice, the
29department shall notify the applicant of any criminal arrests or
30convictions. If no arrests or convictions are recorded, the
31Department of Justice shall provide the foster family home licensee
32or the foster family agency with a statement of that fact concurrent
33with providing the information to the State Department of Social
34Services.

35(7) If the State Department of Social Services finds that the
36applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b) who is
37not exempt from fingerprinting, has been convicted of a crime
38other than a minor traffic violation, the application shall be denied,
39unless the director grants an exemption from disqualification
40pursuant to subdivision (g).

P14   1(8) If the State Department of Social Services finds after
2licensure or the granting of the certificate of approval that the
3licensee, certified foster parent, or any other person specified in
4subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting, has been
5convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the license
6or certificate of approval may be revoked by the department or the
7foster family agency, whichever is applicable, unless the director
8grants an exemption from disqualification pursuant to subdivision
9(g). A licensee’s failure to comply with the department’s
10prohibition of employment, contact with clients, or presence in
11the facility as required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) shall
12be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

13(e) The State Department of Social Services shall not use a
14record of arrest to deny, revoke, or terminate any application,
15license, employment, or residence unless the department
16investigates the incident and secures evidence, whether or not
17related to the incident of arrest, that is admissible in an
18administrative hearing to establish conduct by the person that may
19pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may
20become a client. The State Department of Social Services is
21authorized to obtain any arrest or conviction records or reports
22from any law enforcement agency as necessary to the performance
23of its duties to inspect, license, and investigate community care
24facilities and individuals associated with a community care facility.

25(f) (1) For purposes of this section or any other provision of
26this chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a
27conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action that
28the State Department of Social Services is permitted to take
29following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when
30the time for appeal has elapsed, when the judgment of conviction
31has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation
32is made suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding
33a subsequent order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the
34Penal Code permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of
35guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict
36of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.
37For purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter,
38the record of a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk
39of the court or by a judge of the court in which the conviction
40occurred, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. For
P15   1purposes of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the
2arrest disposition report certified by the Department of Justice, or
3documents admissible in a criminal action pursuant to Section
4969b of the Penal Code, shall be prima facie evidence of the
5conviction, notwithstanding any other law prohibiting the
6admission of these documents in a civil or administrative action.

7(2) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this
8chapter, the department shall consider criminal convictions from
9another state or federal court as if the criminal offense was
10committed in this state.

11(g) (1) After review of the record, the director may grant an
12exemption from disqualification for a license or special permit as
13specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), or for a license,
14special permit, or certificate of approval as specified in paragraphs
15(4), (7), and (8) of subdivision (d), or for employment, residence,
16or presence in a community care facility as specified in paragraphs
17(3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (c), if the director has substantial
18and convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the
19applicant and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the
20applicant, are of good character as to justify issuance of the license
21or special permit or granting an exemption for purposes of
22subdivision (c). Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision,
23an exemption shall not be granted pursuant to this subdivision if
24the conviction was for any of the following offenses:

25(A) (i) An offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, or 264.1,
26subdivision (a) of Section 273a or, prior to January 1, 1994,
27paragraph (1) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288, or 289,
28subdivision (c) of Section 290, or Section 368 of the Penal Code,
29or was a conviction of another crime against an individual specified
30in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

31(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), the director may grant an
32exemption regarding the conviction for an offense described in
33paragraph (1), (2), (7), or (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5
34of the Penal Code, if the employee or prospective employee has
35been rehabilitated as provided in Section 4852.03 of the Penal
36Code, has maintained the conduct required in Section 4852.05 of
37the Penal Code for at least 10 years, and has the recommendation
38of the district attorney representing the employee’s county of
39residence, or if the employee or prospective employee has received
40a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing
P16   1with Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code. This
2clause shall not apply to foster care providers, including relative
3caregivers, nonrelated extended family members, or any other
4person specified in subdivision (b), in those homes where the
5individual has been convicted of an offense described in paragraph
6(1) of subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.

7(B) A felony offense specified in Section 729 of the Business
8and Professions Code or Section 206 or 215, subdivision (a) of
9Section 347, subdivision (b) of Section 417, or subdivision (a) of
10Section 451 of the Penal Code.

11(C) Under no circumstances shall an exemption be granted
12pursuant to this subdivision to any foster care provider applicant
13if that applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (b)
14in those homes, has a felony conviction for either of the following
15offenses:

16(i) A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse,
17crimes against a child, including child pornography, or for a crime
18involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide,
19but not including other physical assault and battery. For purposes
20of this subparagraph, a crime involving violence means a violent
21crime specified in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), or subparagraph
22(B).

23(ii) A felony conviction, within the last five years, for physical
24assault, battery, or a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

25(iii) This subparagraph shall not apply to licenses or approvals
26wherein a caregiver was granted an exemption to a criminal
27conviction described in clause (i) or (ii) prior to the enactment of
28this subparagraph.

29(iv) This subparagraph shall remain operative only to the extent
30that compliance with its provisions is required by federal law as
31a condition for receiving funding under Title IV-E of the federal
32Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.).

33(2) The department shall not prohibit a person from being
34employed or having contact with clients in a facility on the basis
35of a denied criminal record exemption request or arrest information
36unless the department complies with the requirements of Section
371558.

38(h) (1) For purposes of compliance with this section, the
39department may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal
40record clearance, as defined in subdivision (a), from one facility
P17   1to another, as long as the criminal record clearance has been
2processed through a state licensing district office, and is being
3transferred to another facility licensed by a state licensing district
4office. The request shall be in writing to the State Department of
5Social Services, and shall include a copy of the person’s driver’s
6license or valid identification card issued by the Department of
7Motor Vehicles, or a valid photo identification issued by another
8state or the United States government if the person is not a
9California resident. Upon request of the licensee, who shall enclose
10a self-addressed envelope for this purpose, the State Department
11of Social Services shall verify whether the individual has a
12clearance that can be transferred.

13(2) The State Department of Social Services shall hold criminal
14record clearances in its active files for a minimum of three years
15after an employee is no longer employed at a licensed facility in
16order for the criminal record clearance to be transferred.

17(3) The following shall apply to a criminal record clearance or
18exemption from the department or a county office with
19 department-delegated licensing authority:

20(A) A county office with department-delegated licensing
21authority may accept a clearance or exemption from the
22department.

23(B) The department may accept a clearance or exemption from
24any county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

25(C) A county office with department-delegated licensing
26authority may accept a clearance or exemption from any other
27county office with department-delegated licensing authority.

28(4) With respect to notifications issued by the Department of
29Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning
30an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally
31processed by the department or a county office with
32department-delegated licensing authority, all of the following shall
33apply:

34(A) The Department of Justice shall process a request from the
35department or a county office with department-delegated licensing
36authority to receive the notice only if all of the following conditions
37are met:

38(i) The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice
39by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

P18   1(ii)  The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type
2for which the original clearance was obtained.

3(iii) The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and
4format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the
5department and the Department of Justice.

6(B) (i) On or before January 7, 2005, the department shall notify
7the Department of Justice of all county offices that have
8department-delegated licensing authority.

9(ii) The department shall notify the Department of Justice within
1015 calendar days of the date on which a new county office receives
11department-delegated licensing authority or a county’s delegated
12licensing authority is rescinded.

13(C) The Department of Justice shall charge the department, a
14county office with department-delegated licensing authority, or a
15county child welfare agency with criminal record clearance and
16exemption authority, a fee for each time a request to substitute the
17recipient agency is received for purposes of this paragraph. This
18fee shall not exceed the cost of providing the service.

19(5) (A) A county child welfare agency with authority to secure
20clearances pursuant to Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and
21Institutions Code and to grant exemptions pursuant to Section
22361.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code may accept a clearance
23or exemption from another county with criminal record and
24exemption authority pursuant to these sections.

25(B) With respect to notifications issued by the Department of
26Justice pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code concerning
27an individual whose criminal record clearance was originally
28processed by a county child welfare agency with criminal record
29clearance and exemption authority, the Department of Justice shall
30process a request from a county child welfare agency with criminal
31record and exemption authority to receive the notice only if all of
32the following conditions are met:

33(i) The request shall be submitted to the Department of Justice
34by the agency to be substituted to receive the notification.

35(ii) The request shall be for the same applicant type as the type
36for which the original clearance was obtained.

37(iii) The request shall contain all prescribed data elements and
38format protocols pursuant to a written agreement between the State
39Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice.

P19   1(i) The full criminal record obtained for purposes of this section
2may be used by the department or by a licensed adoption agency
3as a clearance required for adoption purposes.

begin insert

4(j) The State Department of Social Services may share all
5information related to a criminal record clearance or exemption
6from the department with a county child welfare agency with
7responsibility to monitor the health and safety of persons receiving
8care, treatment, or services from state licensed foster homes,
9certified homes of licensed foster family agencies, licensed group
10homes, and foster family agencies and their employees.

end insert
begin delete

11(j)

end delete

12begin insert(k)end insert If a licensee or facility is required by law to deny
13employment or to terminate employment of any employee based
14on written notification from the state department that the employee
15has a prior criminal conviction or is determined unsuitable for
16employment under Section 1558, the licensee or facility shall not
17incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result
18of that denial or termination.

begin delete

19(k)

end delete

20begin insert(end insertbegin insertlend insertbegin insert)end insert The State Department of Social Services may charge a fee
21for the costs of processing electronic fingerprint images and related
22information.

begin delete

23(l)

end delete

24begin insert(m)end insert Amendments to this section made in the 1999 portion of
25the 1999-2000 Regular Session shall be implemented commencing
2660 days after the effective date of the act amending this section in
27the 1999 portion of the 1999-2000 Regular Session, except that
28 those provisions for the submission of fingerprints for searching
29the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be
30implemented 90 days after the effective date of that act.

31

SEC. 2.  

Section 1522.08 of the Health and Safety Code, as
32amended by Section 15 of Chapter 22 of the Statutes of 2013, is
33amended to read:

34

1522.08.  

(a) In order to protect the health and safety of persons
35receiving care or services from individuals or facilities licensed
36or certified by the state, thebegin insert following information may be shared:end insert

37begin insert(1)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertThe end insertCalifornia Department of Aging, State Department of
38Public Health, State Department of Health Care Services, State
39Department of Social Services, and the Emergency Medical
40 Services Authority may share information with respect to
P20   1applicants, licensees, certificates, or individuals who have been
2the subject of any administrative action resulting in the denial,
3suspension, probation, or revocation of a license, permit, or
4certificate, or in the exclusion of any person from a facility who
5is subject to a background check, as otherwise provided by law.

begin insert

6(2) The State Department of Social Services and county child
7welfare agencies may share information, including state summary
8criminal history information, with respect to applicants, licensees,
9certificates, or individuals who have been the subject of any
10administrative action resulting in the denial, suspension, probation,
11or revocation of a license, permit, or certificate, or in the exclusion
12of any person from a facility who is subject to a background check,
13as otherwise provided by law.

end insert

14(b) The State Department of Social Services shall maintain a
15centralized system for the monitoring and tracking of final
16administrative actions, to be used by the California Department
17of Aging, State Department of Public Health, State Department of
18Health Care Services, State Department of Social Services,begin delete andend delete
19 the Emergency Medical Services Authoritybegin insert, and county child
20welfare agenciesend insert
as a part of the background check process. The
21State Department of Social Services may charge a fee to
22departments under the jurisdiction of the California Health and
23Human Services Agencybegin insert and to county child welfare agenciesend insert
24 sufficient to cover the cost of providing those departments with
25the final administrative action specified in subdivision (a). To the
26extent that additional funds are needed for this purpose,
27implementation of this subdivision shall be contingent upon a
28specific appropriation provided for this purpose in the annual
29Budget Act.

30(c) The State Department of Social Services, in consultation
31with the other departments under the jurisdiction of the California
32Health and Human Services Agency, may adopt regulations to
33implement this section.

34(d) For the purposes of this section and Section 1499,
35“administrative action” means any proceeding initiated by the
36California Department of Aging, State Department of Public
37Health, State Department of Health Care Services, State
38Department of Social Services, and the Emergency Medical
39Services Authority to determine the rights and duties of an
40applicant, licensee, or other individual or entity over which the
P21   1department has jurisdiction. “Administrative action” may include,
2but is not limited to, action involving the denial of an application
3for, or the suspension or revocation of, any license, special permit,
4administrator certificate, criminal record clearance, or exemption.

5

SEC. 3.  

Section 11105 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

6

11105.  

(a) (1) The Department of Justice shall maintain state
7summary criminal history information.

8(2) As used in this section:

9(A) “State summary criminal history information” means the
10master record of information compiled by the Attorney General
11pertaining to the identification and criminal history of any person,
12such as name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints,
13photographs, dates of arrests, arresting agencies and booking
14numbers, charges, dispositions, and similar data about the person.

15(B) “State summary criminal history information” does not refer
16to records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies other
17than the Attorney General, nor does it refer to records of complaints
18to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence
19information or security procedures of, the office of the Attorney
20General and the Department of Justice.

21(b) The Attorney General shall furnish state summary criminal
22history information to any of the following, if needed in the course
23of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to
24assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government,
25a public utility, or any other entity, in fulfilling employment,
26certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of
271974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:

28(1) The courts of the state.

29(2) Peace officers of the state, as defined in Section 830.1,
30subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 830.2, subdivision (a) of Section
31830.3, subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.5, and subdivision
32(a) of Section 830.31.

33(3) District attorneys of the state.

34(4) Prosecuting city attorneys of any city within the state.

35(5) City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions pursuant to
36Section 186.22a, or drug abatement actions pursuant to Section
373479 or 3480 of the Civil Code, or Section 11571 of the Health
38and Safety Code.

39(6) Probation officers of the state.

40(7) Parole officers of the state.

P22   1(8) A public defender or attorney of record when representing
2a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of
3 rehabilitation and pardon pursuant to Section 4852.08.

4(9) A public defender or attorney of record when representing
5a person in a criminal case, or a parole, mandatory supervision
6pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or
7postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation
8extension proceeding, and if authorized access by statutory or
9decisional law.

10(10) Any agency, officer, or official of the state if the criminal
11history information is required to implement a statute or regulation
12that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the
13subject person of the state summary criminal history information,
14and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based
15upon that specified criminal conduct. The agency, officer, or
16official of the state authorized by this paragraph to receive state
17summary criminal history information may also transmit fingerprint
18images and related information to the Department of Justice to be
19transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

20(11) Any city or county, city and county, district, or any officer
21or official thereof if access is needed in order to assist that agency,
22officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or
23licensing duties, and if the access is specifically authorized by the
24city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city,
25county, or district if the criminal history information is required
26to implement a statute, ordinance, or regulation that expressly
27refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person
28of the state summary criminal history information, and contains
29requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that
30specified criminal conduct. The city or county, city and county,
31district, or the officer or official thereof authorized by this
32paragraph may also transmit fingerprint images and related
33information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the
34Federal Bureau of Investigation.

35(12) The subject of the state summary criminal history
36information under procedures established under Article 5
37(commencing with Section 11120).

38(13) Any person or entity when access is expressly authorized
39by statute if the criminal history information is required to
40implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific
P23   1criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state
2summary criminal history information, and contains requirements
3or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal
4conduct.

5(14) Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district
6when in the performance of their official duties enforcing Section
7120175 of the Health and Safety Code.

8(15) Any managing or supervising correctional officer of a
9county jail or other county correctional facility.

10(16) Any humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty
11to animals, for the specific purpose of complying with Section
1214502 of the Corporations Code for the appointment of humane
13officers.

14(17) Local child support agencies established by Section 17304
15of the Family Code. When a local child support agency closes a
16support enforcement case containing summary criminal history
17information, the agency shall delete or purge from the file and
18destroy any documents or information concerning or arising from
19offenses for or of which the parent has been arrested, charged, or
20convicted, other than for offenses related to the parent’s having
21failed to provide support for minor children, consistent with the
22requirements of Section 17531 of the Family Code.

23(18) County child welfare agency personnel who have been
24delegated the authority of county probation officers to access state
25summary criminal history information pursuant to Section 272 of
26the Welfare and Institutions Code for the purposes specified in
27Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Codebegin insert or Section
281522 of the Health and Safety Codeend insert
. Information from criminal
29history records provided pursuant to this subdivision shall not be
30used for any purposes other than those specified in this section
31begin delete andend deletebegin insert,end insert Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Codebegin insert, and
32Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Codeend insert
. When an agency
33obtains records obtained both on the basis of name checks and
34fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only
35on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check.

36(19) The court of a tribe, or court of a consortium of tribes, that
37has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section
3810553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. This information
39may be used only for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5
40of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or
P24   1tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. Article 6
2(commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to officers, members,
3and employees of a tribal court receiving criminal record offender
4information pursuant to this section.

5(20) Child welfare agency personnel of a tribe or consortium
6of tribes that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant
7to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to
8whom the state has delegated duties under paragraph (2) of
9subdivision (a) of Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
10The purposes for use of the information shall be for the purposes
11specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
12and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive
13homes. When an agency obtains records on the basis of name
14checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be
15based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint
16check. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to
17child welfare agency personnel receiving criminal record offender
18information pursuant to this section.

19(21) An officer providing conservatorship investigations
20pursuant to Sections 5351, 5354, and 5356 of the Welfare and
21Institutions Code.

22(22) A court investigator providing investigations or reviews
23in conservatorships pursuant to Section 1826, 1850, 1851, or
242250.6 of the Probate Code.

25(23) A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation
26pursuant to Section 1513 of the Probate Code.

27(24) A humane officer pursuant to Section 14502 of the
28Corporations Code for the purposes of performing his or her duties.

29(25) A public agency described in subdivision (b) of Section
3015975 of the Government Code, for the purpose of oversight and
31enforcement policies with respect to its contracted providers.

32(c) The Attorney General may furnish state summary criminal
33history information and, when specifically authorized by this
34subdivision, federal level criminal history information upon a
35showing of a compelling need to any of the following, provided
36that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or
37official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other
38entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties,
39Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the
40Labor Code shall apply:

P25   1(1) Any public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public
2Utilities Code, that operates a nuclear energy facility when access
3is needed in order to assist in employing persons to work at the
4facility, provided that, if the Attorney General supplies the data,
5he or she shall furnish a copy of the data to the person to whom
6the data relates.

7(2) To a peace officer of the state other than those included in
8subdivision (b).

9(3) To an illegal dumping enforcement officer as defined in
10subdivision (j) of Section 830.7.

11(4) To a peace officer of another country.

12(5) To public officers, other than peace officers, of the United
13States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United
14States, provided that access to records similar to state summary
15criminal history information is expressly authorized by a statute
16of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of
17the United States if the information is needed for the performance
18of their official duties.

19(6) To any person when disclosure is requested by a probation,
20parole, or peace officer with the consent of the subject of the state
21summary criminal history information and for purposes of
22furthering the rehabilitation of the subject.

23(7) The courts of the United States, other states, or territories
24or possessions of the United States.

25(8) Peace officers of the United States, other states, or territories
26or possessions of the United States.

27(9) To any individual who is the subject of the record requested
28if needed in conjunction with an application to enter the United
29States or any foreign nation.

30(10) (A) (i) Any public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the
31Public Utilities Code, or any cable corporation as defined in
32subparagraph (B), if receipt of criminal history information is
33needed in order to assist in employing current or prospective
34employees, contract employees, or subcontract employees who,
35in the course of their employment may be seeking entrance to
36private residences or adjacent grounds. The information provided
37shall be limited to the record of convictions and any arrest for
38which the person is released on bail or on his or her own
39recognizance pending trial.

P26   1(ii) If the Attorney General supplies the data pursuant to this
2paragraph, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data
3to the current or prospective employee to whom the data relates.

4(iii) Any information obtained from the state summary criminal
5history is confidential and the receiving public utility or cable
6corporation shall not disclose its contents, other than for the
7purpose for which it was acquired. The state summary criminal
8history information in the possession of the public utility or cable
9corporation and all copies made from it shall be destroyed not
10more than 30 days after employment or promotion or transfer is
11denied or granted, except for those cases where a current or
12prospective employee is out on bail or on his or her own
13recognizance pending trial, in which case the state summary
14criminal history information and all copies shall be destroyed not
15more than 30 days after the case is resolved.

16(iv) A violation of this paragraph is a misdemeanor, and shall
17give the current or prospective employee who is injured by the
18violation a cause of action against the public utility or cable
19corporation to recover damages proximately caused by the
20violations. Any public utility’s or cable corporation’s request for
21state summary criminal history information for purposes of
22employing current or prospective employees who may be seeking
23entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds in the course
24of their employment shall be deemed a “compelling need” as
25required to be shown in this subdivision.

26(v) Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing any
27duty upon public utilities or cable corporations to request state
28summary criminal history information on any current or prospective
29employees.

30(B) For purposes of this paragraph, “cable corporation” means
31any corporation or firm that transmits or provides television,
32computer, or telephone services by cable, digital, fiber optic,
33satellite, or comparable technology to subscribers for a fee.

34(C) Requests for federal level criminal history information
35received by the Department of Justice from entities authorized
36pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be forwarded to the Federal
37Bureau of Investigation by the Department of Justice. Federal level
38criminal history information received or compiled by the
39Department of Justice may then be disseminated to the entities
40referenced in subparagraph (A), as authorized by law.

P27   1(D) (i) Authority for a cable corporation to request state or
2federal level criminal history information under this paragraph
3shall commence July 1, 2005.

4(ii) Authority for a public utility to request federal level criminal
5history information under this paragraph shall commence July 1,
62005.

7(11) To any campus of the California State University or the
8University of California, or any four year college or university
9accredited by a regional accreditation organization approved by
10the United States Department of Education, if needed in
11conjunction with an application for admission by a convicted felon
12to any special education program for convicted felons, including,
13but not limited to, university alternatives and halfway houses. Only
14conviction information shall be furnished. The college or university
15may require the convicted felon to be fingerprinted, and any inquiry
16to the department under this section shall include the convicted
17felon’s fingerprints and any other information specified by the
18department.

19(12) To any foreign government, if requested by the individual
20who is the subject of the record requested, if needed in conjunction
21with the individual’s application to adopt a minor child who is a
22citizen of that foreign nation. Requests for information pursuant
23to this paragraph shall be in accordance with the process described
24in Sections 11122 to 11124, inclusive. The response shall be
25provided to the foreign government or its designee and to the
26individual who requested the information.

27(d) Whenever an authorized request for state summary criminal
28history information pertains to a person whose fingerprints are on
29file with the Department of Justice and the department has no
30criminal history of that person, and the information is to be used
31for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the fingerprint
32card accompanying the request for information, if any, may be
33stamped “no criminal record” and returned to the person or entity
34making the request.

35(e) Whenever state summary criminal history information is
36furnished as the result of an application and is to be used for
37employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the Department
38of Justice may charge the person or entity making the request a
39fee that it determines to be sufficient to reimburse the department
40for the cost of furnishing the information. In addition, the
P28   1Department of Justice may add a surcharge to the fee to fund
2maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the
3information is obtained. Notwithstanding any other law, any person
4or entity required to pay a fee to the department for information
5received under this section may charge the applicant a fee sufficient
6to reimburse the person or entity for this expense. All moneys
7received by the department pursuant to this section, Sections
811105.3 and 26190, and former Section 13588 of the Education
9Code shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund
10to be available for expenditure by the department to offset costs
11incurred pursuant to those sections and for maintenance and
12improvements to the systems from which the information is
13obtained upon appropriation by the Legislature.

14(f) Whenever there is a conflict, the processing of criminal
15fingerprints and fingerprints of applicants for security guard or
16alarm agent registrations or firearms qualification permits
17submitted pursuant to Section 7583.9, 7583.23, 7596.3, or 7598.4
18of the Business and Professions Code shall take priority over the
19processing of other applicant fingerprints.

20(g) It is not a violation of this section to disseminate statistical
21or research information obtained from a record, provided that the
22identity of the subject of the record is not disclosed.

23(h) It is not a violation of this section to include information
24obtained from a record in (1) a transcript or record of a judicial or
25administrative proceeding or (2) any other public record if the
26inclusion of the information in the public record is authorized by
27a court, statute, or decisional law.

28(i) Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice
29or any state or local law enforcement agency may require the
30submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting summary
31criminal history information checks that are authorized by law.

32(j) The state summary criminal history information shall include
33any finding of mental incompetence pursuant to Chapter 6
34(commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 arising out
35of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290.

36(k) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
37summary criminal history information is furnished by the
38Department of Justice as the result of an application by an
39authorized agency or organization and the information is to be
40used for peace officer employment or certification purposes. As
P29   1used in this subdivision, a peace officer is defined in Chapter 4.5
2(commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.

3(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever state
4summary criminal history information is initially furnished
5pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
6disseminate the following information:

7(A) Every conviction rendered against the applicant.

8(B) Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is
9presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or
10has been released on bail or on his or her own recognizance
11pending trial.

12(C) Every arrest or detention, except for an arrest or detention
13resulting in an exoneration, provided, however, that where the
14records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition
15for the arrest, the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort
16to determine the disposition of the arrest.

17(D) Every successful diversion.

18(E) Every date and agency name associated with all retained
19peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee
20preemployment criminal offender record information search
21requests.

22(l) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
23summary criminal history information is furnished by the
24Department of Justice as the result of an application by a criminal
25justice agency or organization as defined in Section 13101, and
26the information is to be used for criminal justice employment,
27licensing, or certification purposes.

28(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever state
29summary criminal history information is initially furnished
30pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
31disseminate the following information:

32(A) Every conviction rendered against the applicant.

33(B) Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is
34presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or
35has been released on bail or on his or her own recognizance
36pending trial.

37(C) Every arrest for an offense for which the records of the
38Department of Justice do not contain a disposition or did not result
39in a conviction, provided that the Department of Justice first makes
40a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest. However,
P30   1information concerning an arrest shall not be disclosed if the
2records of the Department of Justice indicate or if the genuine
3effort reveals that the subject was exonerated, successfully
4completed a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program, or
5the arrest was deemed a detention.

6(D) Every date and agency name associated with all retained
7peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee
8preemployment criminal offender record information search
9requests.

10(m) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
11summary criminal history information is furnished by the
12Department of Justice as the result of an application by an
13authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 1522,
141568.09, 1569.17, or 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, or
15any statute that incorporates the criteria of any of those sections
16or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used
17for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.

18(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever state
19summary criminal history information is initially furnished
20 pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
21disseminate the following information:

22(A) Every conviction of an offense rendered against the
23applicant.

24(B) Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is
25presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or
26has been released on bail or on his or her own recognizance
27pending trial.

28(C) Every arrest for an offense for which the Department of
29Social Services is required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of
30Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code to determine if an
31applicant has been arrested. However, if the records of the
32Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for an arrest,
33the Department of Justice shall first make a genuine effort to
34determine the disposition of the arrest.

35(3) Notwithstanding the requirements of the sections referenced
36in paragraph (1) of this subdivision, the Department of Justice
37shall not disseminate information about an arrest subsequently
38deemed a detention or an arrest that resulted in either the successful
39completion of a diversion program or exoneration.

P31   1(n) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
2summary criminal history information, to be used for employment,
3licensing, or certification purposes, is furnished by the Department
4of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency,
5organization, or individual pursuant to any of the following:

6(A) Paragraph (9) of subdivision (c), when the information is
7to be used by a cable corporation.

8(B) Section 11105.3 or 11105.4.

9(C) Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

10(D) Any statute that incorporates the criteria of any of the
11statutory provisions listed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or of
12this subdivision, by reference.

13(2) With the exception of applications submitted by
14transportation companies authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3,
15and notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever state
16summary criminal history information is initially furnished
17pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
18disseminate the following information:

19(A) Every conviction rendered against the applicant for a
20violation or attempted violation of any offense specified in
21subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions
22 Code. However, with the exception of those offenses for which
23registration is required pursuant to Section 290, the Department
24of Justice shall not disseminate information pursuant to this
25subdivision unless the conviction occurred within 10 years of the
26date of the agency’s request for information or the conviction is
27over 10 years old but the subject of the request was incarcerated
28within 10 years of the agency’s request for information.

29(B) Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an
30offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare
31and Institutions Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting
32trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on
33bail or on his or her own recognizance pending trial.

34(o) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
35summary criminal history information is furnished by the
36Department of Justice as the result of an application by an
37authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 379 or 550
38of the Financial Code, or any statute that incorporates the criteria
39of either of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the
P32   1information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification
2purposes.

3(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever state
4summary criminal history information is initially furnished
5pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
6disseminate the following information:

7(A) Every conviction rendered against the applicant for a
8violation or attempted violation of any offense specified in Section
9550 of the Financial Code.

10(B) Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an
11offense specified in Section 550 of the Financial Code for which
12the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is
13incarcerated or has been released on bail or on his or her own
14recognizance pending trial.

15(p) (1) This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal
16criminal history information is furnished by the Department of
17Justice as the result of an application by an agency, organization,
18or individual not defined in subdivision (k), (l), (m), (n), or (o), or
19by a transportation company authorized pursuant to Section
2011105.3, or any statute that incorporates the criteria of that section
21or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used
22for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.

23(2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, whenever state
24summary criminal history information is initially furnished
25pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall
26disseminate the following information:

27(A) Every conviction rendered against the applicant.

28(B) Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is
29presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or
30has been released on bail or on his or her own recognizance
31pending trial.

32(q) All agencies, organizations, or individuals defined in
33subdivisions (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) may contract with the
34Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to
35Section 11105.2. This subdivision shall not supersede sections that
36mandate an agency, organization, or individual to contract with
37the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to
38Section 11105.2.

P33   1(r) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the
2Department of Justice shall cease compliance with any other
3statutory notification requirements.

4(s) The provisions of Section 50.12 of Title 28 of the Code of
5Federal Regulations are to be followed in processing federal
6criminal history information.

7(t) Whenever state or federal summary criminal history
8information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result
9of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or
10individual defined in subdivisions (k) to (p), inclusive, and the
11information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification
12purposes, the authorized agency, organization, or individual shall
13expeditiously furnish a copy of the information to the person to
14whom the information relates if the information is a basis for an
15adverse employment, licensing, or certification decision. When
16furnished other than in person, the copy shall be delivered to the
17last contact information provided by the applicant.

18

SEC. 4.  

Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
19 is amended to read:

20

16504.5.  

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
21pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code, a
22child welfare agency may secure from an appropriate governmental
23criminal justice agency the state summary criminal history
24information, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 11105 of the
25Penal Code, through the California Law Enforcement
26Telecommunications System pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section
27309, and subdivision (a) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety
28Codebegin insert, and may secure state-summary criminal history information
29from the State Department of Social Services pursuant to Section
301522.08 of the Health and Safety Code,end insert
for the following purposes:

31(A) To conduct an investigation pursuant to Section 11166.3 of
32the Penal Code or an investigation involving a child in which the
33child is alleged to come within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court
34under Section 300.

35(B) (i) To assess the appropriateness and safety of placing a
36child who has been detained or is a dependent of the court, in the
37home of a relative assessed pursuant to Section 309 or 361.4, or
38in the home of a nonrelative extended family member assessed as
39described in Section 362.7 during an emergency situation.

P34   1(ii) When a relative or nonrelative family member who has been
2assessed pursuant to clause (i) and approved as a caregiver moves
3to a different county and continued placement of the child with
4that person is intended, the move shall be considered an emergency
5situation for purposes of this subparagraph.

6(C) To attempt to locate a parent or guardian pursuant to Section
7311 of a child who is the subject of dependency court proceedings.

8(D) To obtain information about the background of a nonminor
9who has petitioned to reenter foster care under subdivision (e) of
10Section 388, in order to assess the appropriateness and safety of
11placing the nonminor in a foster care or other placement setting
12with minor dependent children.

begin insert

13(E) To assess the appropriateness and safety of placing a child
14who has been detained or is a dependent of the court in a licensed
15foster family home, group home, or state licensed foster home.

end insert
begin insert

16(F) To monitor the health and safety of persons under the
17supervision of the county child welfare agency who are residing
18in a licensed foster family home, group home, or state-licensed
19foster home.

end insert

20(2) Any time that a child welfare agency initiates a criminal
21background check through the California Law Enforcement
22Telecommunications System for the purpose described in
23subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the agency shall ensure that a
24state-level fingerprint check is initiated within 10 calendar days
25of the check, unless the whereabouts of the subject of the check
26are unknown or the subject of the check refuses to submit to the
27fingerprint check. The Department of Justice shall provide the
28requesting agency a copy of all criminal history information
29regarding an individual that it maintains pursuant to subdivision
30(b) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

31(b) Criminal justice personnel shall cooperate with requests for
32criminal history information authorized pursuant to this section
33and shall provide the information to the requesting entity in a
34timely manner.

35(c) Any law enforcement officer or person authorized by this
36section to receive the information who obtains the information in
37the record and knowingly provides the information to a person not
38authorized by law to receive the information is guilty of a
39misdemeanor as specified in Section 11142 of the Penal Code.

P35   1(d) Information obtained pursuant to this section shall not be
2used for any purposes other than those described in subdivision
3(a).

4(e) Nothing in this section shall preclude a nonminor petitioning
5to reenter foster care or a relative or other person living in a
6relative’s home from refuting any of the information obtained by
7law enforcement if the individual believes the state- or federal-level
8criminal records check revealed erroneous information.

9(f) (1) A state or county welfare agency may submit to the
10Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information
11required by the Department of Justice of parents or legal guardians
12when determining their suitability for reunification with a
13dependent child subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court,
14for the purposes of obtaining information as to the existence and
15content of a record of state or federal convictions and state or
16federal arrests, as well as information as to the existence and
17content of a record of state or federal arrests for which the
18Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or
19on his or her own recognizance pending trial or appeal. Of the
20information received by the Department of Justice pursuant to this
21subdivision, only the parent’s or legal guardian’s criminal history
22for the time period following the removal of the child from the
23parent or legal guardian shall be considered.

24(2) A county welfare agency or county probation office may
25submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related
26information required by the Department of Justice of nonminors
27petitioning to reenter foster care under Section 388, in order to
28assess the appropriateness and safety of placing the nonminor in
29a foster care or other placement setting with minor dependent
30children.

31(3) When received, the Department of Justice shall forward to
32the Federal Bureau of Investigation requests for federal summary
33criminal history information received pursuant to this subdivision.
34The Department of Justice shall review the information returned
35from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and respond to the state
36or county welfare agency.

37(4) The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the
38state or county welfare agency pursuant to subdivision (p) of
39Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

P36   1(5) The state or county welfare agency shall not request from
2the Department of Justice subsequent arrest notification service,
3as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for
4individuals described in this subdivision.

5(6) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to
6cover the costs of processing the request described in this
7subdivision.

8(7) This subdivision shall become operative on July 1, 2007.

9(g) A fee, determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
10and collected by the Department of Justice, shall be charged for
11each federal-level criminal offender record information request
12submitted pursuant to this section and Section 361.4.



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