BILL NUMBER: AB 1943	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fletcher

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2010

   An act to add Section 16015 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to foster children.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1943, as introduced, Fletcher. Foster children: access to
information.
   Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to preserve
and strengthen a child's family ties whenever possible, removing the
child from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for
his or her welfare or for the safety and protection of the public.
Existing law also identifies the case plan as the foundation and
central unifying tool in child welfare services. Under existing law,
a foster child's case plan is required to include, among other
components, a summary of the child's health and education information
or records.
   This bill would require the State Department of Social Services to
provide each county welfare department with a weekly abstract of
designated data with respect to specified children under the
geographic jurisdiction of the county. The bill would require a
county welfare department to share the information provided
immediately with the county office of education, and upon request, to
other agencies and service providers within the county. By imposing
additional duties on counties, the bill would create a state-mandated
local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 16015 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   16015.  (a) The department shall provide each county welfare
department with a weekly abstract of data, consistent with
subdivision (c), with respect to children who are under the
geographic jurisdiction of the county, including wards and dependent
children of the juvenile court, and children in foster and kinship
care.
   (b) The county welfare department shall share the information
provided by the department under subdivision (a) with the
corresponding county office of education. In addition, the county
welfare department shall provide access to the information to
agencies and service providers within the county, upon request of the
agency or service provider.
   (c) Information provided by the department under this section
shall include, but not be limited to, the following categories:
   (1) Demographic information.
   (2) Alternative name information.
   (3) Immunization record information.
   (4) Residential placement history.
   (5) Educational placement history.
   (6) Parent or guardian information.
   (7) Case history information.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.