citation: HSC § 1558

text:
(a) The department may prohibit any person from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee, or a licensee from employing, or continuing the employment of, or allowing in a licensed facility or certified family home, or allowing contact with clients of a licensed facility or certified family home by, any employee, prospective employee, or person who is not a client who has:

(1) Violated, or aided or permitted the violation by any other person of, any provisions of this chapter or of any rules or regulations promulgated under this chapter.

(2) Engaged in conduct that is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either the people of this state or an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or certified family home.

(3) Been denied an exemption to work or to be present in a facility or certified family home, when that person has been convicted of a crime, as defined in Section 1522.

(4) Engaged in any other conduct that would constitute a basis for disciplining a licensee or certified family home.

(5) Engaged in acts of financial malfeasance concerning the operation of a facility or certified family home, including, but not limited to, improper use or embezzlement of client moneys and property or fraudulent appropriation for personal gain of facility moneys and property, or willful or negligent failure to provide services.

(b) The excluded person, the facility or certified family home, and the licensee shall be given written notice of the basis of the department’s action and of the excluded person’s right to an appeal. The notice shall be served either by personal service or by registered mail. Within 15 days after the department serves the notice, the excluded person may file with the department a written appeal of the exclusion order. If the excluded person fails to file a written appeal within the prescribed time, the department’s action shall be final.

(c) (1) The department may require the immediate removal of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee or exclusion of an employee, prospective employee, or person who is not a client from a facility or certified family home pending a final decision of the matter, when, in the opinion of the director, the action is necessary to protect residents or clients from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to their health or safety.

(2) If the department requires the immediate removal of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee or exclusion of an employee, prospective employee, or person who is not a client from a facility or certified family home, the department shall serve an order of immediate exclusion upon the excluded person that shall notify the excluded person of the basis of the department’s action and of the excluded person’s right to a hearing.

(3) Within 15 days after the department serves an order of immediate exclusion, the excluded person may file a written appeal of the exclusion with the department. The department’s action shall be final if the excluded person does not appeal the exclusion within the prescribed time. The department shall do both of the following upon receipt of a written appeal:

(A) Within 30 days of receipt of the appeal, serve an accusation upon the excluded person.

(B) Within 60 days of receipt of a notice of defense pursuant to Section 11506 of the Government Code by the excluded person to conduct a hearing on the accusation.

(4) An order of immediate exclusion of the excluded person from the facility or certified family home shall remain in effect until the hearing is completed and the director has made a final determination on the merits. However, the order of immediate exclusion shall be deemed vacated if the director fails to make a final determination on the merits within 60 days after the original hearing has been completed.

(d) An excluded person who files a written appeal with the department pursuant to this section shall, as part of the written request, provide their current mailing address. The excluded person shall subsequently notify the department in writing of any change in mailing address, until the hearing process has been completed or terminated.

(e) Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The standard of proof shall be the preponderance of the evidence and the burden of proof shall be on the department.

(f) The department may institute or continue a disciplinary proceeding against a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee or an employee, prospective employee, or person who is not a client upon any ground provided by this section. The department may enter an order prohibiting any person from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee or prohibiting the excluded person’s employment or presence in the facility or certified family home, or otherwise take disciplinary action against the excluded person, notwithstanding any resignation, withdrawal of employment application, or change of duties by the excluded person, or any discharge, failure to hire, or reassignment of the excluded person by the licensee or that the excluded person no longer has contact with clients at the facility or certified family home.

(g) A licensee’s or certified family home’s failure to comply with the department’s exclusion order after being notified of the order shall be grounds for disciplining the licensee pursuant to Section 1550.

(h) (1) (A) In cases in which the excluded person appealed the exclusion order, the person shall be prohibited from working in any facility or being licensed to operate any facility licensed by the department or from being a certified foster parent for the remainder of the excluded person’s life, unless otherwise ordered by the department.

(B) The excluded individual may petition for reinstatement one year after the effective date of the decision and order of the department upholding the exclusion order pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code. The department shall provide the excluded person with a copy of Section 11522 of the Government Code with the decision and order.

(2) (A) In cases in which the department informed the excluded person of their right to appeal the exclusion order and the excluded person did not appeal the exclusion order, the person shall be prohibited from working in any facility or being licensed to operate any facility licensed by the department or a certified foster parent for the remainder of the excluded person’s life, unless otherwise ordered by the department.

(B) The excluded individual may petition for reinstatement after one year has elapsed from the date of the notification of the exclusion order pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code. The department shall provide the excluded person with a copy of Section 11522 of the Government Code with the exclusion order.

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or subdivision (c) of Section 1550, the department shall take reasonable action, including, but not limited to, prohibiting a person from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of a licensed facility or certified family home, or denying an application for, or suspending or revoking, a license, special permit, certificate of approval, or administrator certificate, issued under this chapter, or denying a transfer of a license pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1524, upon a finding of a violation of subdivision (i) of Section 11166 of the Penal Code.

(j) For purposes of this section, exclusion, as specified in subdivision (a), shall include exclusion from the home of a resource family, as defined in Section 1517 of this code and Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 777, Sec. 12. (AB 819) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 5.5. Employee Actions

path: 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS > 3. California Community Care Facilities Act > 5.5. Employee Actions


kind: section

code: HSC

text:
(a) (1) If the department determines that a person was issued a license under this chapter, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1200), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500), Chapter 3.01 (commencing with Section 1568.01), Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 1569), Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 1570), Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 1596.90), or Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 1597.30), or that the applicant previously was approved as a resource family under Article 2 (commencing with Section 16519.5) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the prior license was revoked or prior approval was rescinded within the preceding two years, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to the chapter.

(2) If the department determines that a person previously was issued a certificate of approval by a foster family agency that was revoked or rescinded by the department pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1517 or subdivision (b) of Section 1534 within the preceding two years, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter.

(b) If the department determines that the person had previously applied for a license under this chapter, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1200), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), Chapter 3.01 (commencing with Section 1568.01), Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 1569), Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 1570), Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 1596.90), or Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 1597.30), or that the person previously applied for resource family approval under Article 2 (commencing with Section 16519.5) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the application was denied within the last year, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter and as follows:

(1) In cases in which the applicant petitioned for a hearing, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter until one year has elapsed from the effective date of the decision and order of the department upholding a denial.

(2) In cases in which the department or county informed the applicant of the right to petition for a hearing and the applicant did not petition for a hearing, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter until one year has elapsed from the date of the notification of the denial and the right to petition for a hearing.

(c) If the department determines that the person had previously applied for a certificate of approval with a foster family agency, and the department ordered the foster family agency to deny the application pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1517 or subdivision (b) of Section 1534, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter and as follows:

(1) In cases in which the applicant petitioned for a hearing, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter until one year has elapsed from the effective date of the decision and order of the department upholding a denial.

(2) In cases in which the department informed the applicant of the right to petition for a hearing and the applicant did not petition for a hearing, the department shall exclude the person from, and remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter until one year has elapsed from the date of the notification of the denial and the right to petition for a hearing.

(d) Exclusion or removal of an individual pursuant to this section shall not be considered an order of exclusion for purposes of Section 1558 of this code, Section 16519.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any other law.

(e) The department may determine not to exclude the person from, or remove the person from the position of a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of, any facility licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter if it has determined that the reasons for the denial of the application or revocation of the facility license or certificate of approval, or the denial or rescission of resource family approval, were due to circumstances and conditions that either have been corrected or are no longer in existence.

(f) For purposes of this section, exclusion from a licensed facility shall include exclusion from a resource family, as defined in Section 1517 of this code and Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The exclusion of a resource family or an applicant for resource family approval pursuant to this section shall only be imposed as set forth in the written directives or regulations adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 104, Sec. 11. (AB 2944) Effective September 18, 2020.)

division: 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS

chapter: 3. California Community Care Facilities Act

article: 5.5. Employee Actions


text: The department shall conduct an unannounced visit to a facility within 30 days after the department serves an order of immediate exclusion from the facility upon the licensee or a person subject to immediate removal or exclusion from the facility pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 1522 and subdivision (c) of Section 1558 and in order to ensure that the excluded person is not within the facility, unless the department previously has verified that the excluded person is not within the facility.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 291, Sec. 9. Effective September 25, 2008.)

article: 5.5. Employee Actions


text:
(a) (1) The State Department of Social Services shall license transitional housing placement providers pursuant to this chapter.

(2) A transitional housing placement provider may operate either of the following programs, as described in Section 16522.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code:

(A) A Transitional Housing Placement program for participants who are minor foster children.

(B) A Transitional Housing Placement program for participants who are nonminor dependents.

(3) Before licensure, a transitional housing placement provider shall obtain program certification from the applicable county, in accordance with Section 16522.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this paragraph, “applicable county” means the county in which the administrative office or subadministrative office of a transitional housing placement provider is located, or a primary placing county.

(b) Transitional housing placement providers shall provide supervised transitional housing services to foster children who are at least 16 years of age.

(c) Transitional housing placement providers shall certify that housing units are adequate, safe, and sanitary.

(d) Transitional housing units shall include any of the following:

(1) A host family with whom a participant lives in an apartment, single-family dwelling, or condominium owned, rented, or leased by the host family, with supervised transitional housing services provided by the licensed transitional housing placement provider.

(A) For a transitional housing placement program serving minor foster children, the host family shall be certified by a transitional housing placement provider.

(B) (i) For a transitional housing placement program serving nonminor dependents, the host family may be a certified family home approved by a foster family agency and concurrently certified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1506, a resource family approved by a foster family agency pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and concurrently certified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1506, a resource family approved by a county pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, a licensed foster family home, an approved relative caregiver, or a nonrelative extended family member of a participant.

(ii) A resource family, licensed foster family home, certified foster home, approved relative caregiver, or nonrelative extended family member operating as a host family pursuant to clause (i) does not require additional certification by the transitional housing placement provider pursuant to subdivision (c).

(2) A staffed site in which a participant lives in an apartment, single-family dwelling, or condominium owned, rented, or leased by a transitional housing placement provider either with an adult employee of the provider who provides supervision or in a building in which one or more adult employees of the provider reside and provide supervision.

(3) A remote site in which a participant lives independently in an apartment, single-family dwelling, or condominium owned, rented, or leased by a transitional housing placement provider under the supervision of the provider if the department provides approval. The remote site shall only be available to nonminor dependents.

(e) (1) A transitional housing placement provider may cosign a lease with a nonminor dependent as specified by the department.

(2) A participant shall not be permitted to solely sign a rental or lease agreement.

(f) A transitional housing placement provider’s plan of operation shall include a program statement. The program statement shall contain a description of the core services and supports, as set forth in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 11463 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and as prescribed by the department, to be offered to participants, as appropriate or as necessary.

(g) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to govern transitional housing placement providers licensed pursuant to this section.

(2) The regulations shall be age appropriate and recognize that nonminor dependents who are about to exit from the foster care system should be subject to fewer restrictions than those who are foster children. At a minimum, the regulations shall provide for all of the following:

(A) Require programs that serve both minor foster children and nonminor dependents to have separate rules and program design, as appropriate, for these two groups of youth.

(B) Allow nonminor dependents to have the greatest amount of freedom possible in order to prepare them for their transition to adulthood, in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1502.7.

(C) Maintain a program staffing ratio for minor foster children of case manager to participant not to exceed 1 to 12, inclusive.

(D) Maintain a program staffing ratio for nonminor dependents of case manager to participant not to exceed a shared average caseload of 1 to 12, inclusive, with a designated lead case manager assigned to each youth.

(E) Allow a nonminor dependent participant to share a bedroom or unit in a transitional housing program with any of the following persons:

(i) Another participant, including a participant sibling or coparent, as approved by the provider.

(ii) A participant in Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as approved by the provider.

(iii) A nonparticipant roommate, sibling, or coparent, as approved by the provider on a case-by-case basis, as specified by the department.

(I) A provider shall give priority to program participants.

(II) A provider shall allow a current program participant residing within a unit to reject inclusion of a nonparticipant into their existing unit.

(iv) The participant’s children.

(v) Any other person as specified by the department.

(F) Allow a minor participant to share a bedroom or unit in a transitional housing placement with any of the following persons:

(i) Another participant, including a participant sibling or coparent, as approved by the provider.

(ii) A participant in Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as approved by the provider.

(iii) The participant’s children.

(iv) A nonparticipant roommate, sibling, or coparent, as approved by the provider on a case-by-case basis, as specified by the department.

(I) A provider shall give priority to program participants.

(II) A provider shall allow a current program participant residing within a unit to reject inclusion of a nonparticipant into their existing unit.

(v) Any other person as specified by the department.

(G) Any adult who is not a participant, including participants in Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and who resides with a participant shall obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption in accordance with Section 1522.

(H) All counties and program contracts shall allow individual program participants and individuals described in subparagraphs (E) and (F) to share bedrooms, bathrooms, and units together, regardless of gender identity. Counties and program contracts shall allow providers and participants to make best matches to allow for gender flexibility, and shall ensure that decisions about sharing pursuant to this subparagraph are led by the program participant and agreed upon in collaboration with the provider.

(h) (1) A program manager for a Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents shall have a master’s degree or higher from an accredited or state-approved graduate school, or equivalent education and experience, as determined by the department.

(2) A person who possesses a master’s degree or higher from an accredited or state-approved graduate school in any of the following areas, or equivalent education and experience, as determined by the department, shall be considered to be qualified to perform program manager activities in a Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents:

(A) Marriage, family, and child counseling.

(B) Child psychology.

(C) Child development.

(D) Counseling psychology.

(E) Social psychology.

(F) Clinical psychology.

(G) Educational psychology.

(H) Education, with emphasis on counseling.

(I) Social work or social welfare.

(J) An area that includes the counseling or psychotherapy content required for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, as specified in Sections 4999.32 and 4999.33 of the Business and Professions Code.

(K) A subject area that is functionally equivalent to those listed in subparagraphs (A) to (J), inclusive, as set forth by the department.

(i) (1) In addition to the degree specifications in subdivision (h), a program manager for a Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents shall have a minimum of two years’ experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting or specific experience working with transition age youth who are 16 to 24 years of age, inclusive.

(2) Documentation of the completed education and experience requirements shall be maintained in the personnel file.

(3) A transitional housing placement provider may request an exception, as specified in subdivision (j), for a person who does not meet the requirements specified in this subdivision or subdivision (h).

(4) Persons who were hired as program managers before January 1, 2018, are not required to meet the requirements of this subdivision in order to remain employed as program managers.

(j) (1) A transitional housing placement provider shall apply to the department, using the process established by the department, to request an exception to the requirements of subdivision (h) or (i) based on completion of equivalent education and experience.

(2) The department may grant exceptions to the requirements described in subdivisions (h) and (i) if the person to whom the exception would apply has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited or state-approved college or university.

(3) The department shall approve or deny exceptions to the requirements described in subdivisions (h) and (i) within 30 days of receiving the exception request from the provider.

(k) (1) A case manager for a Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents shall meet either of the following requirements:

(A) A minimum of a baccalaureate degree in any of the areas specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h).

(B) A minimum of a baccalaureate degree in an area not specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) and a minimum of two years’ experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting, or specific experience working with transition age youth who are 16 to 24 years of age, inclusive.

(2) Documentation of the completed education and experience requirements shall be maintained in the personnel file.

(3) Persons who were hired as case managers before January 1, 2018, are not required to meet the requirements of this subdivision in order to remain employed as a case manager.

(4) A transitional housing placement provider shall apply to the department, using the process established by the department, to request an exception to the requirements of subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) based on completion of equivalent education and experience shall apply to the department using the process established by the department.

(l) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific the changes made by the act that added this subdivision by means of all-county letters or similar instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar written instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 187, Sec. 1. (AB 1314) Effective January 1, 2026.)

path: 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS > 3. California Community Care Facilities Act > 5.7. Transitional Housing Placement Program


citation: HSC § 1560

text:
(a) The director shall require as a condition precedent to the issuance of any license or special permit for a community care facility, if the licensee or holder of a special permit handles or will handle any money of a person within the community care facility, that the applicant for the license or special permit file or have on file with the state department a bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state in a sum to be fixed by the state department based upon the magnitude of the operations of the applicant, but which sum shall not be less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), running to the State of California and conditioned upon his or her faithful and honest handling of the money of persons within the facility.

(b) The failure of any licensee under this chapter to maintain on file with the state department a bond in the amount prescribed by the director or who embezzles the trust funds of a person in the facility shall constitute cause for the revocation of the license.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply if the licensee meets both of the following requirements:

(1) The licensee operates a community care facility which is licensed to care for children including, but not limited to, a foster family home.

(2) The licensee handles moneys of persons within the community care facility in amounts less than fifty dollars ($50) per person and less than five hundred dollars ($500) for all persons in any month.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1315, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1993.)

article: 6. Other Provisions

path: 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS > 3. California Community Care Facilities Act > 6. Other Provisions


citation: HSC § 1561

text: The director may grant a partial or total variance from the bonding requirements of Section 1560 for any community care facility if he finds that compliance with them is so onerous that a community care facility will cease to operate, and if he also finds that money of the persons received or cared for in the community care facility has been, or will be, deposited in a bank in this state, in a trust company authorized to transact a trust business in this state, or in a savings and loan association in this state, upon condition that such money may not be withdrawn except on authorization of the guardian or conservator of such person.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1203.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


citation: HSC § 1562

text:
(a) The department shall ensure that operators and staff of community care facilities have appropriate training to provide the care and services for which a license or certificate is issued. The section shall not apply to a facility licensed as an Adult Residential Facility for Persons with Special Health Care Needs pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1567.50).

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that children in foster care reside in the least restrictive, family-based settings that can meet their needs, and that group homes and short-term residential therapeutic programs will be used only for short-term, specialized, and intensive treatment purposes that are consistent with a case plan that is determined by a child’s best interests. Accordingly, the Legislature encourages the department to adopt policies, practices, and guidance that ensure that the education, qualification, and training requirements for childcare staff in group homes and short-term residential therapeutic programs are consistent with the intended role of group homes and short-term residential therapeutic programs to provide short-term, specialized, and intensive treatment, with a particular focus on crisis intervention, behavioral stabilization, and other treatment-related goals, as well as the connections between those efforts and work toward permanency for children.

(c) (1) Each person employed as a facility manager or staff member of a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program, as defined in paragraphs (13) and (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the group home or short-term residential therapeutic program shall be at least 21 years of age.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a facility manager or staff member employed at the group home before October 1, 2014.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, “group home” does not include a youth homelessness prevention center.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 341, Sec. 11. (AB 1235) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The department shall license short-term residential therapeutic programs, as defined in paragraph (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, pursuant to this chapter. A short-term residential therapeutic program shall comply with all requirements of this chapter that are applicable to group homes and to the requirements of this section.

(b) (1) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall have national accreditation from an entity identified by the department pursuant to the process described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 11462 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) A short-term residential therapeutic program applicant shall submit documentation of accreditation or application for accreditation with its application for licensure.

(3) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall have up to 24 months from the date of licensure to obtain accreditation.

(4) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall provide documentation to the department reporting its accreditation status at 12 months and at 18 months after the date of licensure.

(5) This subdivision does not preclude the department from requesting additional information from the short-term residential therapeutic program regarding its accreditation status.

(6) The department may revoke a short-term residential therapeutic program’s license pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 1550) for failure to obtain accreditation within the timeframes specified in this subdivision.

(c) (1) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall have up to 12 months from the date of licensure to obtain in good standing a mental health program approval and Medi-Cal mental health certification, as set forth in Sections 4096.5 and 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall maintain the program approval described in paragraph (1) in good standing during its licensure.

(3) The department shall track the number of licensed short-term residential therapeutic programs that were unable to obtain a mental health program approval and provide that information to the Legislature annually as part of the state budget process.

(d) (1) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall prepare and maintain a current, written plan of operation as required by the department.

(2) The plan of operation shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A) A statement of purposes and goals.

(B) A plan for the supervision, evaluation, and training of staff, designed to ensure the provision of trauma-informed services. The plan shall be appropriate to meet the needs of staff and children.

(C) A program statement that includes all of the following:

(i) On and after October 1, 2021, a description of how the short-term residential therapeutic program will meet standards, to be established by the department in collaboration with the State Department of Health Care Services, for both of the following:

(I) A comprehensive trauma-informed treatment model designed to address the individualized needs of children.

(II) A plan for how the short-term residential therapeutic program will make licensed nursing staff available, as set forth in subdivision (n).

(ii) Description of the short-term residential therapeutic program’s ability to support the individual needs of children and their families with short-term, specialized, trauma-informed, and intensive treatment, including, but not limited to, treatment that implements child-specific short- and long-term needs and goals identified by the qualified individual’s assessment of the child pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 4096 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(iii) Description of the core services, as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 11462 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to be offered to children and their families, as appropriate or necessary.

(iv) Procedures for the development, implementation, and periodic updating of the needs and services plan for children served by the short-term residential therapeutic program and procedures for collaborating with the child and family team described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that include, but are not limited to, a description of the services to be provided or arranged to meet the short- and long-term needs and goals of the child as assessed by the qualified individual, pursuant to Sections 4096 and 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, processes to ensure treatment is consistent with the short- and long-term needs and goals for the child, including, as specified in the child’s permanency plan, the anticipated duration of the treatment, and processes to ensure that consistent progress is made toward the timeframe and plan for transitioning the child to a less restrictive family environment.

(v) A description of the population or populations to be served.

(vi) A description of compliance with the requirements in subdivision (c). A short-term residential therapeutic program that has not satisfied the requirements in subdivision (c) shall demonstrate the ability to meet the mental health service needs of children.

(vii) (I) A description of how the short-term residential therapeutic program, in accordance with the child’s case plan and the child and family team recommendations, will provide for, arrange for the provision of, or assist in, all of the following:

(ia) Identification of home-based family care settings for a child who does not have a home-based caregiver identified for transition and pursuant to clause (viii).

(ib) Development of an individualized family-based aftercare support plan that identifies necessary supports, services, and treatment to be provided for at least six months postdischarge as a child moves from their short-term residential therapeutic program placement to home-based family care setting or to a permanent living situation through reunification, adoption, or guardianship, or to a transitional housing program. This plan shall be developed, pursuant to Section 4096.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in collaboration with the county placing agency, the child and family team, and other necessary agencies or individuals for at least six months postdischarge. Federal financial participation under the Medi-Cal program shall only be available if all state and federal requirements are met and the treatment is medically necessary, regardless of the six months postdischarge requirement.

(ic) Documentation of the process by which the short- and long-term, child-specific mental health goals identified by a qualified individual, as defined in Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 4096 of the Welfare and institutions Code, will be implemented by the short-term residential therapeutic program.

(II) This clause shall not be interpreted to supersede the placement and care responsibility vested in the county child welfare agency or probation department.

(viii) (I) On and after October 1, 2021, a description of how the short-term residential therapeutic program will, to the extent clinically appropriate, consistent with any applicable court orders, and in accordance with the child’s best interest, do all of the following:

(ia) Facilitate participation of family members in the child’s treatment program.

(ib) Facilitate outreach to the family members of the child, including siblings, document how the outreach is made, including contact information, and maintain contact information for any known biological family and nonrelative extended family members of the child.

(ic) Document how family members will be integrated into the treatment process for the child, including postdischarge, and how sibling connections are maintained.

(II) This clause shall not be interpreted to supersede the placement and care responsibility vested in the county child welfare agency or probation department.

(ix) Any other information that may be prescribed by the department for the proper administration of this section.

(e) In addition to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, a county licensed to operate a short-term residential therapeutic program shall describe, in the plan of operation, its conflict of interest mitigation plan, as set forth in subdivision (g) of Section 11462.02 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(f) (1) (A) (i) A short-term residential therapeutic program applicant shall submit an application to the department that includes a letter of recommendation in support of its program from a county placing agency.

(ii) The letter of recommendation shall include a statement that the county placing agency reviewed a copy of the applicant’s program statement.

(iii) If the letter of recommendation is not from the county in which the facility is located, the short-term residential therapeutic program applicant shall include, with its application, a statement that it provided the county in which the facility is located an opportunity for that county to review the program statement and notified that county that the facility has received a letter of recommendation from another county.

(B) If the application does not contain a letter of recommendation as described in subparagraph (A), then the department shall cease review of the application. Nothing in this paragraph shall constitute a denial of the application for purposes of Section 1526 or any other law.

(C) A new letter of recommendation is not required when a short-term residential therapeutic program moves locations.

(2) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall submit a copy of its program statement to all county placing agencies from which the short-term residential therapeutic program accepts placements, including the county in which the facility is located, for optional review when the short-term residential therapeutic program updates its program statement.

(g) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to establish requirements for the education, qualification, and training of facility managers and staff who provide care and supervision to children or who have regular, direct contact with children in the course of their responsibilities in short-term residential therapeutic programs consistent with the intended role of these facilities to provide short-term, specialized, and intensive treatment.

(2) Requirements shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A) Staff classifications.

(B) Specification of the date by which employees shall be required to meet the education and qualification requirements.

(C) Any other requirements that may be prescribed by the department for the proper administration of this section.

(h) The department shall adopt regulations to specify training requirements for staff who provide care and supervision to children or who have regular, direct contact with children in the course of their responsibilities. These requirements shall include both of the following:

(1) Timeframes for completion of training, including the following:

(A) Training that shall be completed prior to unsupervised care of children.

(B) Training to be completed within the first 180 days of employment.

(C) Training to be completed annually.

(2) Topics to be covered in the training shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) Child and adolescent development, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

(B) The effects of trauma, including grief and loss, and child abuse and neglect on child development and behavior and methods to behaviorally support children impacted by that trauma or child abuse and neglect.

(C) The rights of a child in foster care, including the right to have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.

(D) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.

(E) Core practice model.

(F) An overview of the child welfare and probation systems.

(G) Reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(H) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity and related best practices for providing adequate care for children across diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

(I) Awareness and identification of commercial sexual exploitation and best practices for providing care and supervision to commercially sexually exploited children.

(J) The federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), its historical significance, the rights of children covered by the act, and the best interests of Indian children, including the role of the caregiver in supporting culturally appropriate, child-centered practices that respect Native American history, culture, retention of tribal membership, and connection to the tribal community and traditions.

(K) Permanence, well-being, and educational needs of children.

(L) Basic instruction on existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school; and ensuring a harassment and violence free school environment.

(M) Best practices for providing care and supervision to nonminor dependents.

(N) Health issues in foster care.

(O) Physical and psychosocial needs of children, including behavior management, de-escalation techniques, and trauma-informed crisis management planning.

(i) (1) Each person employed as a facility manager or staff member of a short-term residential therapeutic program, who provides direct care and supervision to children and youth residing in the short-term residential therapeutic program shall be at least 21 years of age.

(2) This subdivision shall not apply to a facility manager or staff member employed, before October 1, 2014, at a short-term residential therapeutic program that was operating under a group home license prior to January 1, 2017.

(j) Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, the department may establish requirements for licensed group homes that are transitioning to short-term residential therapeutic programs, which may include, but not be limited to, requirements related to application and plan of operation.

(k) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall have a qualified and certified administrator, as set forth in Section 1522.41.

(l) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall provide trauma-informed support and transition services to foster youth as part of a planned or unplanned discharge. This shall include participation in any county-level or state-level meetings pursuant to Section 16521.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code with the goal of placement preservation whenever possible or, if necessary, identifying and working with alternative short-term residential therapeutic programs or other providers to directly transition the youth.

(m) The department shall have the authority to inspect a short-term residential therapeutic program pursuant to the system of governmental monitoring and oversight developed by the department pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11462 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(n) (1) On and after October 1, 2021, a short-term residential therapeutic program shall ensure the availability of licensed nursing staff, which may include the nursing resources established pursuant to Section 4096.55 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) Nursing staff shall be onsite according to the treatment model of the short-term residential therapeutic program and as otherwise required by the needs of any child residing in the facility.

(3) Nursing staff shall be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and shall provide care within the scope of their practice.

(4) If a child who is placed in a short-term residential therapeutic program by a county placing agency requires regular onsite nursing care and does not require inpatient care in a licensed health facility, the short-term residential therapeutic program shall provide the nursing care consistent with their treatment model, or shall partner with the county placing agency to arrange for the nursing care to be provided.

(5) The department, in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services, county agencies, providers, and other stakeholders, shall develop guidance to implement this subdivision.

(o) The short-term residential therapeutic program shall maintain the interagency placement committee’s written determination and the qualified individual’s assessment of the child, required to be completed and provided to the short-term residential therapeutic program pursuant to subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 4096 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in the child’s record.

(p) The short-term residential therapeutic program shall engage with the county placing agency in placement preservation strategies pursuant to Section 16010.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as applicable. Nothing in this subdivision shall be interpreted to supersede the placement and care responsibility vested in the county placing agency or their responsibilities under Section 16010.7 of the Welfare and Institution Code.

(q) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to implement this section, collaborating with the State Department of Health Care Services, as necessary, to ensure alignment with mental health program approval requirements, as described in Section 4096.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of interim licensing standards until regulations are adopted. These interim licensing standards shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 241, Sec. 19. (SB 857) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) For purposes of this section “adult residential facility” means a facility licensed as an adult residential facility pursuant to this chapter.

(b) (1) In addition to the notification requirements provided for in Section 1562.2, a licensee of an adult residential facility shall inform a resident and the resident’s representative, if any, of a proposed closure, including whether the licensee intends to sell the property or business, no later than 180 days before its proposed closure, or as soon as practicably possible.

(2) The licensee shall specify in the notification required by paragraph (1) that it is not, and shall not be construed as, an eviction notice.

(c) A licensee of an adult residential facility shall, prior to transferring a resident of the facility to another facility or to an independent living arrangement as a result of the forfeiture of a license, as described in subdivision (a), (b), or (f) of Section 1520, or a closure of the facility for another reason, take all reasonable steps to transfer affected residents safely and to minimize possible transfer trauma, and shall, at a minimum, do all of the following:

(1) Prepare, for each resident, a relocation evaluation of the needs of that resident, which shall include all of the following:

(A) Recommendations on the type of facility that would meet the needs of the resident based on the current service plan.

(B) A list of facilities, within a 60-mile radius of the resident’s current facility, that meet the resident’s present needs.

(C) If applicable, the possibility for the resident to remain in the facility under certain circumstances, including the sale or transfer of the facility to a city or county.

(2) Provide each resident or the resident’s responsible person with a written notice no later than 60 days before the intended eviction. The notice shall include all of the following:

(A) The reason for the eviction, with specific facts to permit a determination of the date, place, witnesses, and circumstances concerning the reasons.

(B) A copy of the resident’s current service plan.

(C) The relocation evaluation.

(D) A list of referral agencies.

(3) Discuss the relocation evaluation with the resident and their legal representative within 30 days of issuing the notice of eviction.

(4) Submit a written report of any eviction to the licensing agency within five days.

(5) Upon issuing the written notice of eviction, a licensee shall not accept new residents or enter into new admission agreements.

(6) (A) For paid preadmission fees in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), the resident is entitled to a refund in accordance with all of the following:

(i) A 100-percent refund if preadmission fees were paid within six months of notice of eviction.

(ii) A 75-percent refund if preadmission fees were paid more than six months but not more than 12 months before notice of eviction.

(iii) A 50-percent refund if preadmission fees were paid more than 12 months but not more than 18 months before notice of eviction.

(iv) A 25-percent refund if preadmission fees were paid more than 18 months but less than 25 months before notice of eviction.

(B) No preadmission refund is required if preadmission fees were paid 25 months or more before the notice of eviction.

(C) The preadmission refund required by this paragraph shall be paid within 15 days of issuing the eviction notice. In lieu of the refund, the resident may request that the licensee provide a credit toward the resident’s monthly fee obligation in an amount equal to the preadmission fee refund due.

(7) If the resident gives notice five days before leaving the facility, the licensee shall refund to the resident or their legal representative a proportional per diem amount of any prepaid monthly fees at the time the resident leaves the facility and the unit is vacated. Otherwise the licensee shall pay the refund within seven days from the date that the resident leaves the facility and the unit is vacated.

(8) Within 10 days of all residents having left the facility, the licensee, based on information provided by the resident or the resident’s legal representative, shall submit a final list of names and new locations of all residents to the department.

(d) If seven or more residents of an adult residential facility will be transferred as a result of the forfeiture of a license or change in the use of the facility pursuant to subdivision (a), the licensee shall submit a proposed closure plan to the department for approval. The department shall approve or disapprove the closure plan, and monitor its implementation, in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) Upon submission of the closure plan, the licensee shall be prohibited from accepting new residents and entering into new admission agreements for new residents.

(2) The closure plan shall meet the requirements described in subdivision (a), and describe the staff available to assist in the transfers. The department’s review shall include a determination as to whether the licensee’s closure plan contains a relocation evaluation for each resident.

(3) Within 15 working days of receipt, the department shall approve or disapprove the closure plan prepared pursuant to this subdivision, and, if the department approves the plan, it shall become effective upon the date the department grants its written approval of the plan.

(4) If the department disapproves a closure plan, the licensee may resubmit an amended plan, which the department shall promptly either approve or disapprove, within 10 working days of receipt by the department of the amended plan. If the department fails to approve a closure plan, it shall inform the licensee, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval of the plan.

(5) If the department fails to take action within 20 working days of receipt of either the original or the amended closure plan, the plan, or amended plan, as the case may be, shall be deemed approved.

(6) Until the department has approved a licensee’s closure plan, the facility shall not issue a notice of transfer or require any resident to transfer.

(e) (1) If a licensee fails to comply with the requirements of this section, or if the director determines that it is necessary to protect the residents of a facility from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety, the department shall take any necessary action to minimize trauma for the residents, including caring for the residents through the use of a temporary manager or receiver as provided for in Sections 1546.1 and 1546.2 when the director determines the immediate relocation of the residents is not feasible based on transfer trauma or other considerations such as the unavailability of alternative placements. The department shall contact any local agency that may have assessment, placement, protective, or advocacy responsibility for the residents, and shall work together with those agencies to locate alternative placement sites, contact relatives or other persons responsible for the care of these residents, provide onsite evaluation of the residents, and assist in the transfer of the residents.

(2) The participation of the department and local agencies in the relocation of residents from an adult residential facility does not relieve the licensee of any responsibility under this section. A licensee that fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be required to reimburse the department and local agencies for the cost of providing the relocation services or the costs incurred in caring for the residents through the use of a temporary manager or receiver as provided for in Sections 1546.1 and 1546.2. If the licensee fails to provide the relocation services required in this section, then the department may request that the Attorney General’s office, the city attorney’s office, or the local district attorney’s office seek injunctive relief and damages in the same manner as provided for in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code, including restitution to the department of any costs incurred in caring for the residents through the use of a temporary manager or receiver as provided for in Sections 1546.1 and 1546.2.

(f) A licensee who fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be liable for the imposition of civil penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per violation per day for each day that the licensee is in violation of this section, until the violation has been corrected. The civil penalties shall be issued immediately following the written notice of violation. However, if the violation does not present an immediate or substantial threat to the health or safety of residents and the licensee corrects the violation within three days after receiving the notice of violation, the licensee shall not be liable for payment of any civil penalties pursuant to this subdivision related to the corrected violation.

(g) On and after January 1, 2021, a licensee who fails to comply with this section and abandons the facility and the residents in care resulting in an immediate and substantial threat to the health and safety of the abandoned residents, in addition to forfeiture of the license pursuant to Section 1524, shall be excluded from licensure in facilities licensed by the department without the right to petition for reinstatement.

(h) A resident of an adult residential facility covered under this section may bring a civil action against any person, firm, partnership, or corporation who owns, operates, establishes, manages, conducts, or maintains an adult residential facility who violates the rights of a resident, as set forth in this section. Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation who owns, operates, establishes, manages, conducts, or maintains an adult residential facility who violates this section shall be responsible for the acts of the facility’s employees and shall be liable for costs and attorney’s fees. The adult residential facility may also be enjoined from permitting the violation to continue. The remedies specified in this section are in addition to any other remedy provided by law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 146, Sec. 2. (AB 2377) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The department may license a short-term residential therapeutic program operating as a children’s crisis residential program pursuant to this chapter. A children’s crisis residential program shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) If the program serves both children who are not experiencing mental health crises and children who are experiencing mental health crises, the program shall have an identifiable and physically separate unit for those children who are experiencing mental health crises. The separate unit shall be indicated on the short-term residential therapeutic program’s license.

(2) If the short-term residential therapeutic program operates on a single site both a program that serves children who are not experiencing mental health crises and a separate program that only serves children experiencing mental health crises, the short-term residential therapeutic program shall obtain, and have in good standing, a mental health program approval, as described in Section 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and a children’s crisis residential mental health program approval, as described in Section 11462.011 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, both of which are issued by the State Department of Health Care Services, or by a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated approval authority. The short-term residential therapeutic program shall obtain a mental health program approval before operating as a children’s crisis residential program. The department may revoke a program’s license pursuant to Section 1550 for a program’s failure to maintain the mental health program approval.

(3) If the short-term residential therapeutic program serves only children experiencing a mental health crisis, the short-term residential therapeutic program shall obtain, and have in good standing, a children’s crisis residential mental health program approval, as described in Section 11462.011 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which is issued by the State Department of Health Care Services or by a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated approval authority. The short-term residential therapeutic program shall obtain a mental health program approval before operating as a children’s crisis residential program. The department may revoke a program’s license pursuant to Section 1550 for a program’s failure to maintain the mental health program approval.

(4) Comply with all applicable licensing standards for a short-term residential therapeutic program, unless the department specifies otherwise in regulations that comply with applicable statutory requirements related to licensure.

(b) Contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for these purposes, the department shall begin implementation of this section no later than July 1, 2018, and shall commence the licensing process for children’s crisis residential programs no later than January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 777, Sec. 13. (AB 819) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) A licensee of an adult residential facility shall notify the city and county in which the facility is located of a proposed closure, including whether the licensee intends to sell the property or business, no later than 180 days before its proposed closure, or as soon as practicably possible.

(b) A licensee of an adult residential facility shall inform the city and county in which the facility is located, the department, all residents, and, if applicable, their legal representatives, in writing, within two business days, and shall notify all applicants for potential residence, and, if applicable, their legal representatives, prior to admission, of any of the following events, or knowledge of the event:

(1) A notice of default, notice of trustee’s sale, or any other indication of foreclosure is issued on the property.

(2) An unlawful detainer action is initiated against the licensee.

(3) The licensee files for bankruptcy.

(4) The licensee receives a written notice of default of payment of rent described in Section 1161 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(5) A utility company has sent a notice of intent to terminate electricity, gas, or water service on the property within not more than 15 days of the notice.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 146, Sec. 4. (AB 2377) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The department shall establish regulations for short-term residential therapeutic programs that are operated as children’s crisis residential programs. At a minimum, the regulations shall include all of the following:

(1) Therapeutic programming shall be provided seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, with sufficient mental health professional and paraprofessional staff, as required by the facility’s children’s crisis residential mental health program approval in accordance with the standards and procedures established pursuant to Section 11462.011 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to maintain an appropriate treatment setting and services, based on individual children’s needs.

(2) The program shall be staffed with sufficient personnel to accept children 24 hours per day, seven days a week and to admit children, at a minimum, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days per year. The program shall be sufficiently staffed to discharge children, as appropriate, seven days a week, 365 days per year.

(3) Facilities shall be limited to fewer than 16 beds, with at least 50 percent of those beds in single-occupancy rooms.

(4) Facilities shall include ample physical space for accommodating individuals who provide daily emotional and physical supports to each child and for integrating family members into the day-to-day care of the youth.

(5) The program shall collaborate with each child’s existing mental health team, if applicable, child and family team, if applicable, and other formal and natural supports within 24 hours of intake and throughout the course of care and treatment as appropriate.

(6) The program shall create and assist with the implementation of a plan for transitioning each admitted child from the program to his or her home and community, including the establishment of a mental health or child and family team if there is not one already.

(b) The program shall annually provide the department with all of the following data as it pertains to children in foster care and children not in foster care in conjunction with its application for licensure renewal:

(1) Age and gender of clients served.

(2) Duration of stay.

(3) Professional classification of staff and contracted staff.

(4) Type of placement the client was discharged to.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 704, Sec. 4. (AB 501) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The department, in consultation with the Director of Health Care Services and the Director of Developmental Services, shall establish a training program to ensure that licensees, operators, and staffs of adult residential facilities, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, have appropriate training to provide the care and services for which a license or certificate is issued. The training program shall be developed in consultation with provider organizations.

(b) (1) An administrator of an adult residential facility, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, shall successfully complete a department-approved administrator certification training program pursuant to subdivision (c) prior to employment.

(2) If the individual is both the licensee and the administrator of a licensed facility, the individual shall comply with both the licensee and administrator requirements of this section.

(3) Failure to comply with this section shall constitute cause for revocation of the license of the facility.

(4) The licensee shall notify the department within 30 days of any change in administrators.

(c) (1) An administrator certification training program for adult residential facilities shall require a minimum of 35 hours of instruction conducive to learning, in which participants are able to simultaneously interact with each other as well as with the instructor, and that provides training on a uniform core of knowledge in each of the following areas:

(A) Laws, regulations, and policies and procedural standards that impact the operations of the adult residential facility.

(B) Business operations.

(C) Management and supervision of staff.

(D) Psychosocial needs of the facility residents.

(E) Community and support services.

(F) Physical needs for facility residents.

(G) Use, misuse, and interaction of medication commonly used by facility residents.

(H) Resident admission, retention, and assessment procedures.

(I) Nonviolent crisis intervention for administrators.

(J) Cultural competency and sensitivity in issues relating to the underserved aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

(2) The requirement for 35 hours of instruction pursuant to this subdivision shall not apply to persons who were employed as administrators prior to July 1, 1996. A person holding the position of administrator of an adult residential facility on June 30, 1996, shall file a completed application for certification with the department on or before April 1, 1998. In order to be exempt from the 35-hour training program and the test component, the application shall include documentation showing proof of continuous employment as the administrator of an adult residential facility between, at a minimum, June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1996. An administrator of an adult residential facility who became certified as a result of passing the department-administered challenge test, that was offered between October 1, 1996, and December 23, 1996, shall be deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of this paragraph.

(3) Unless an extension is granted to the applicant by the department, an applicant for an administrator’s certificate shall, within 60 days of the applicant’s completion of instruction, pass the examination provided in this section.

(d) The department shall not begin the process of issuing an administrator certificate until receipt of all of the following:

(1) An administrator certification application.

(2) A certificate of completion of the administrator certification training program required pursuant to this section.

(3) The fee for processing an administrator certification application, including the issuance of the administrator certificate, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j).

(4) Documentation that the applicant has passed the examination.

(5) Submission of fingerprints pursuant to Section 1522. The department and the Department of Justice shall expedite the criminal record clearance for holders of certificates of completion. The department may waive the submission for those persons who have a criminal record clearance or exemption on file.

(e) It shall be unlawful for a person not certified under this section to hold themselves out as a certified administrator of an adult residential facility. A person willfully making a false representation as being a certified administrator is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(f) (1) An administrator certificate issued under this section shall be renewed every two years and renewal shall be conditional upon the certificate holder submitting documentation of completion of 40 hours of continuing education related to the uniform core of knowledge specified in subdivision (c). No more than one-half of the required 40 hours of continuing education necessary to renew the certificate may be satisfied through self-paced courses. All other continuing education hours shall be completed in an instructional setting conducive to learning, in which participants are able to simultaneously interact with each other as well as with the instructor. For purposes of this section, an individual who is an adult residential facility administrator and who is required to complete the continuing education hours required by the regulations of the State Department of Developmental Services, and approved by the regional center, shall be permitted to have up to 24 of the required continuing education course hours credited toward the 40-hour continuing education requirement of this section. Community college course hours approved by the regional centers shall be accepted by the department for certification.

(2) A licensee and administrator of an adult residential facility is required to complete the continuing education requirements of this subdivision.

(3) An administrator certificate issued under this section shall expire every two years, on the anniversary date of the initial issuance of the certificate, except that any administrator receiving an initial certification on or after January 1, 1999, shall make an irrevocable election to have their recertification date for any subsequent recertification either on the date two years from the date of issuance of the certificate or on the individual’s birthday during the second calendar year following certification. The department shall send a renewal notice to the certificate holder 90 days prior to the expiration date of the certificate. If the certificate is not renewed prior to its expiration date, reinstatement shall only be permitted after the certificate holder has paid a delinquency fee, as specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j), has submitted to the department an administrator certification renewal application, and has provided evidence of completion of the continuing education required.

(4) To renew an administrator certificate, the certificate holder shall, on or before the certificate expiration date, submit to the department an administrator certification renewal application and documentation of completion of the required continuing education courses, and pay the renewal fee specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j), irrespective of receipt of the department’s notification of the renewal. A renewal request postmarked on or before the expiration of the certificate is proof of compliance with this paragraph.

(5) A suspended or revoked administrator certificate is subject to expiration as provided for in this section. If reinstatement of the certificate is approved by the department, the certificate holder, as a condition precedent to reinstatement, shall submit proof of compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) and shall pay a fee in an amount equal to the renewal fee, plus the delinquency fee, if any, as specified in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j), accrued at the time of its revocation or suspension. Delinquency fees, if any, accrued subsequent to the time of its revocation or suspension and prior to an order for reinstatement, shall be waived for one year to allow the individual sufficient time to complete the required continuing education units and to submit the required documentation. Individuals whose certificates will expire within 90 days after the order for reinstatement may be granted a three-month extension to renew their certificates during which time the delinquency fees shall not accrue.

(6) An administrator certificate that is not renewed within four years after its expiration shall not be renewed, restored, reissued, or reinstated except upon completion of an administrator certification training program, passing any test that may be required of an applicant for a new certificate at that time, and paying the fee specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j).

(7) The department shall charge a fee for the reissuance of a lost administrator certificate, as specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (j).

(8) A certificate holder shall inform the department of their employment status within 30 days of any change.

(g) Unless otherwise ordered by the department, an administrator certificate shall be considered forfeited under either of the following conditions:

(1) The administrator has had a license revoked, suspended, or denied as authorized under Section 1550.

(2) The administrator has been denied employment, residence, or presence in a facility based on action resulting from an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1522 or 1558.

(h) (1) The department, in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services and the State Department of Developmental Services, shall establish, by regulation, the program content, the testing instrument, the process for approving administrator certification training programs, and criteria to be used in authorizing individuals, organizations, or educational institutions as vendors to conduct administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses. These regulations shall be developed in consultation with provider organizations, and shall be made available at least six months prior to the deadline required for administrator certification. The department may deny vendor approval to any agency or person in any of the following circumstances:

(A) The applicant has not provided the department with evidence satisfactory to the department of the ability of the applicant to satisfy the requirements of vendorization set out in the regulations adopted by the department.

(B) The applicant person or agency has a conflict of interest in that the person or agency places its clients in adult residential facilities.

(C) The applicant public or private agency has a conflict of interest in that the agency is mandated to place clients in adult residential facilities and to pay directly for the services. The department may deny vendorization to this type of agency only as long as there are other vendor programs available to conduct the administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses.

(2) The department may authorize vendors to conduct administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses pursuant to this section. The department shall conduct the examination pursuant to regulations adopted by the department.

(3) The department shall prepare and maintain an updated list of approved training vendors.

(4) The department may inspect administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses, including online courses, at no charge to the department, to determine if content and teaching methods comply with this section and applicable regulations. If the department determines that any vendor is not complying with the requirements of this section, the department shall take appropriate action to bring the program into compliance, which may include removing the vendor from the approved training vendors list.

(5) The department shall establish reasonable procedures and timeframes not to exceed 30 days for the approval of vendor training programs.

(6) The department shall charge a fee for an administrator certification training program vendor application or renewal, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (j).

(7) (A) A vendor of a self-paced online course shall ensure that each course contains all of the following:

(i) An interactive portion in which the participant receives feedback, through online communication, based on input from the participant.

(ii) Required use of a personal identification number or personal identification information to confirm the identity of the participant.

(iii) A final screen displaying a printable statement, to be signed by the participant, certifying that the identified participant completed the course. The vendor shall obtain a copy of the final screen statement with the original signature of the participant prior to the issuance of a certificate of completion. The signed statement of completion shall be maintained by the vendor for a period of three years and be available to the department upon demand. A person who certifies as true any material matter pursuant to this clause that the person knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(B) This subdivision shall not prohibit the department from approving online programs that do not meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the vendor demonstrates to the department’s satisfaction that, through advanced technology, the course and the course delivery meet the requirements of this section.

(8) The department shall charge a fee for processing a continuing education training program vendor application or renewal, as specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (j).

(9) The department shall charge a fee for processing a continuing education course, as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (j).

(i) The department shall establish a registry for certificate holders that shall include, at a minimum, information on employment status and criminal record clearance.

(j) The department shall charge nonrefundable fees, as follows:

(1) Commencing July 1, 2021, the fee amount in subparagraph (A) shall be incrementally increased by 10 percent each year, not to exceed 40 percent, over a four-year period. The current fee specified in subparagraph (A) shall be the base for the yearly increase and shall be effective July 1 of each year.

(A) The fee for processing an administrator certification application or renewal, including the issuance of the administrator certificate, is one hundred dollars ($100).

(B) The fee for the reissuance of a lost administrator certificate is twenty-five dollars ($25).

(C) The delinquency fee for processing a late administrator certification renewal application is three hundred dollars ($300), which shall be charged in addition to the fee specified in subparagraph (A).

(2) Commencing July 1, 2021, a fee for the administrator certification examination is one hundred dollars ($100), for up to three attempts.

(3) Commencing July 1, 2021, fee amounts in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be incrementally increased by 10 percent each year, not to exceed 40 percent, over a four-year period. The current fee specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) will be the base for the increase each year and is effective July 1 of each year.

(A) The fee for processing an administrator certification training program vendor application or renewal is one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each licensed facility type.

(B) The fee for processing a continuing education training program vendor application or renewal is one hundred dollars ($100) for each licensed facility type.

(4) Commencing July 1, 2021, the fee for processing a continuing education course is ten dollars ($10) per continuing education unit for each licensed facility type.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, a fee charged pursuant to this subdivision shall not exceed the reasonable costs to the department of conducting the certification training program.

(k) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a vendor approved by the department who exclusively provides either an administrator certification training program or continuing education course for administrators of an adult residential facility, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, shall be regulated solely by the department pursuant to this chapter. No other state or local governmental entity shall be responsible for regulating the activity of those vendors.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 43, Sec. 21. (AB 120) Effective July 10, 2023.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
Any person who becomes an administrator of an adult residential facility, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, on or after July 1, 1996, shall, at a minimum, fulfill all of the following requirements:

(a) Be at least 21 years of age.

(b) Provide documentation of having successfully completed a certification program approved by the department and successfully passing the state examination.

(c) Have a high school diploma or pass a general educational development test as described in Article 3 (commencing with Section 51420) of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Education Code.

(d) Obtain a criminal record clearance as provided for in Sections 1522 and 1522.03.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 558, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The director shall ensure that, within six months after obtaining licensure, an administrator of an adult residential facility and a program director of a social rehabilitation facility shall receive four hours of training on the needs of residents who may be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and on basic information about tuberculosis. Administrators and program directors shall attend update training sessions every two years after satisfactorily completing the initial training to ensure that information received on HIV and tuberculosis remains current. The training shall consist of three hours on HIV and one hour on tuberculosis.

(b) The training shall consist of all of the following:

(1) Universal blood and body fluid precautions.

(2) Basic AIDS and HIV information, including modes of transmission.

(3) Legal protections for persons with HIV or AIDS.

(4) Referral information to local government, community-based, and other organizations that provide social, support, or health services and social services to people with HIV or AIDS.

(5) Information about the residential care needs of people living with HIV or AIDS, including nutritional needs.

(6) Recognition of the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis.

(7) Tuberculosis testing requirements for staff, volunteers, and residents.

(8) Tuberculosis prevention.

(9) Tuberculosis treatment.

(c) The department shall ensure compliance with this section. In the event of noncompliance, the director shall develop and implement a plan of correction requiring that the training take place within six months of the violation.

(d) All administrators of adult residential and program directors of social rehabilitation facilities licensed on or before January 1, 1994, shall complete the training by December 31, 1994, and every two years thereafter. Newly employed administrators and program directors shall complete training within six months after commencing employment.

(e) Eligible providers of training and study courses shall be limited to any of the following:

(1) County and city health departments.

(2) American Lung Association affiliates.

(3) Any agency with a contract to provide HIV, AIDS, or tuberculosis education with either the State Department of Health Services, or the federal Centers for Disease Control.

(4) The California Association of AIDS Agencies.

(5) Any providers approved by the State Department of Social Services for training of personnel employed in residential care facilities for the elderly, adult residential facilities, or residential care facilities for the chronically ill.

(f) Providers shall use HIV, AIDS, and tuberculosis materials produced, approved, or distributed by any of the following:

(1) The federal Centers for Disease Control.

(2) The American Lung Association.

(3) The University of California.

(4) The California Association of AIDS Agencies.

(5) The California AIDS Clearinghouse.

(6) County and city health departments.

(g) In the event that an administrator or program director demonstrates to the department a significant difficulty in accessing training, the administrators and program directors of these facilities shall have the option of fulfilling these training requirements through a study course consisting of written and/or video educational materials.

(h) Successful completion of the training or study course by administrators and program directors and the biannual update described in this section shall be verified with the department during the annual review of the facility pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1534. Trained administrators and program directors shall disseminate the HIV, AIDS, and tuberculosis materials to facility personnel.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 146, Sec. 101. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) The administrator of an adult residential care facility that provides services for residents who have mental illness shall ensure that a written intake assessment is prepared by a licensed mental health professional prior to acceptance of the client. This assessment may be provided by a student intern if the work is supervised by a properly licensed mental health professional. Facility administrators may utilize placement agencies, including, but not limited to, county clinics for referrals and assessments.

(b) Within 30 days after an inspection of an adult residential care facility the State Department of Social Services shall provide the licensee with a copy of the licensing report verifying compliance or noncompliance by the facility with applicable licensing provisions. This report shall not include confidential client information, and copies of reports within the last 24 months shall be provided by the facility to the public upon request.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 828, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text:
(a) (1) If a licensee who is also the owner of an adult residential facility notifies the city and county of an intent to sell the property, as required by Section 1562.2, the licensee shall give the city or county the first opportunity to make an offer to purchase the property, at a price that reflects its fair market value, and continue the operation of the adult residential facility. The city or county shall notify the licensee of its intent to purchase the property within 60 days after the notice required by Section 1562.2.

(2) (A) After the city or county has made an offer pursuant to paragraph (1), the licensee may accept that offer or any other offer received by the licensee.

(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an individual or entity planning to continue operating the licensed adult residential facility may make an offer to purchase the facility, and the licensee may accept the offer at any time. The individual or entity that makes an offer to purchase a facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall provide a written statement to the licensee and the department that the individual or entity agrees to continue the operation of the adult residential facility and apply for licensure as an adult residential facility upon completion of the sale of the existing facility.

(3) A city or county shall have maximum flexibility in seeking and securing available funding sources to purchase a residential care facility under this section, including any federal, state, local, and private funds. Funding from multiple sources may be combined for purposes of this paragraph. The purchase of property under this section is subject to all existing requirements otherwise applicable by law to the purchasing city or county.

(b) (1) A city or county that purchases an adult residential facility pursuant to this section may either take over operation of the facility, or, if possible, enter into a long-term lease for its operation with a nonprofit or for-profit entity. A nonprofit or for-profit entity selected by the city or county shall have a demonstrated history of providing adult residential facility services to individuals in need of those services, including, but not limited to, Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.

(2) A lease entered into pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include a requirement that the lessee maintain licensure of the property as an adult residential facility.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 146, Sec. 3. (AB 2377) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


text: Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, including, but not limited to Section 1562.3, vendors approved by the department who exclusively provide either initial or continuing education courses for certification of administrators of an adult residential facility as defined by the department, a group home facility as defined by the department, a short-term residential therapeutic program as defined by the department, or a residential care facility for the elderly as defined in subdivision (k) of Section 1569.2, shall be regulated solely by the department pursuant to this chapter. No other state or local governmental entity shall be responsible for regulating the activity of those vendors.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 612, Sec. 53. (AB 1997) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 6. Other Provisions


citation: HSC § 1563

text:
(a) The department shall ensure that licensing personnel at the department have appropriate training to properly carry out this chapter.

(b) The department shall institute a staff development and training program to develop among departmental staff the knowledge and understanding necessary to successfully carry out this chapter. Specifically, the program shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide staff with 36 hours of training per year that reflects the needs of persons served by community care facilities. This training shall, where appropriate, include specialized instruction in the needs of foster children, persons with mental disorders, or developmental or physical disabilities, or other groups served by specialized community care facilities.

(2) Give priority to applications for employment from persons with experience as care providers to persons served by community care facilities.

(3) Provide new staff with comprehensive training within the first six months of employment. This comprehensive training shall, at a minimum, include the following core areas: administrative action process, client populations, conducting facility visits, cultural awareness, documentation skills, facility operations, human relation skills, interviewing techniques, investigation processes, and regulation administration.

(c) In addition to the requirements in subdivision (b), group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, and foster family agency licensing personnel shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of training per year to increase their understanding of children in group homes, short-term residential therapeutic programs, certified homes, and foster family homes. The training shall cover, but not be limited to, all of the following topics:

(1) The types and characteristics of emotionally troubled children.

(2) The high-risk behaviors they exhibit.

(3) The biological, psychological, interpersonal, and social contributors to these behaviors.

(4) The range of management and treatment interventions utilized for these children, including, but not limited to, nonviolent, emergency intervention techniques.

(5) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.

(d) The training described in subdivisions (b) and (c) may include the following topics:

(1) An overview of the child protective and probation systems.

(2) The effects of trauma, including grief and loss, and child abuse or neglect on child development and behavior, and methods to behaviorally support children impacted by that trauma or child abuse and neglect.

(3) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.

(4) Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited to, the authorization, uses, risks, benefits, assistance with self-administration, oversight, and monitoring of psychotropic medications, and trauma, mental health, and substance use disorder treatments for children in foster care under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, including how to access those treatments.

(5) Accessing the services and supports available to foster children to address educational needs, physical, mental, and behavioral health, substance use disorders, and culturally relevant services.

(6) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity and related best practices for, providing adequate care for children across diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as for children identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

(7) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to commercially sexually exploited children.

(8) Understanding the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), its historical significance, the rights of children covered by the act, and the best interests of Indian children, including the role of the caregiver in supporting culturally appropriate, child-centered practices that respect Native American history, culture, retention of tribal membership, and connection to the tribal community and traditions.

(9) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to nonminor dependents.

(10) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and supervision to children with special health care needs.

(11) Basic instruction on existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school; and ensuring a harassment and violence free school environment pursuant to Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.

(12) Permanence, well-being, and educational needs of children.

(13) Child and adolescent development, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

(14) The role of foster parents, including working cooperatively with the child welfare or probation agency, the child’s family, and other service providers implementing the case plan.

(15) A foster parent’s responsibility to act as a reasonable and prudent parent, and to provide a family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences that serve the needs of the child.

(16) Physical and psychosocial needs of children, including behavior management, de-escalation techniques, and trauma informed crisis management planning.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 241, Sec. 20. (SB 857) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 6. Other Provisions