§ 16518

The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with county placement agencies, foster care providers, and other interested community parties, shall establish criteria to be used for conducting a comprehensive home study of a licensed or foster parent that evaluates the ability, readiness, and willingness of the licensed foster parent to meet the varying needs of children, including, but not limited to, hard-to-place children. The department shall consult with the Task Force on Accreditation of Services for Children established pursuant to Section 1565 of the Health and Safety Code, and shall, as appropriate, consider the accreditation standards that are included in the accreditation plan when developing the home study criteria. The home study criteria developed pursuant to this section shall become operative at such time as the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1521.6 of the Health and Safety Code are filed with the Secretary of State.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 653, Sec. 20. Effective October 10, 2001.)