CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2880

Introduced by Assembly Member Santiago

February 15, 2024

An act to amend Section 16501.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare services.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2880, as introduced, Santiago. Child welfare services.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to implement a single statewide Child Welfare Services Case Management System to administer and evaluate the state’s child welfare services and foster care programs. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature for the department to enhance the statewide child welfare information system to include information concerning the level of care required, educational accomplishments, and health history of children placed in foster care.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 16501.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

16501.6.
 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature for the State Department of Social Services to enhance the statewide child welfare information system to include information concerning the level of care required, educational accomplishments, and health history of children placed in foster care. If appropriate, this enhancement could be made after the system is operational statewide statewide, as required in Section 16501.5.
(b) The department shall conduct a study to examine the most efficient methods of collecting and maintaining all of the following data for each child in foster care:
(1) The names and addresses of the child’s health and educational providers.
(2) The child’s grade level performance.
(3) The child’s school record.
(4) Assurances that the child’s placement in foster care takes into account proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement.
(5) A record of the child’s immunizations.
(6) The child’s known medical problems.
(7) The child’s medications.
(8) Any other relevant level of care, health, and education information concerning the child as determined appropriate by the department.
(c) In conducting its study, the department shall, as required, examine county health passport systems for possible replication on a statewide basis and consult with other state departments, county associations, and provider groups.
(d) By February 15, 1992, the department shall submit a report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on the results of its study. The department shall include the following in its report:
(1) Recommendations for coordinating data collection among local child health and disability prevention programs, other health care providers, county welfare departments, schools, and other agencies providing services for foster children.
(2) Recommendations for the interfacing with any alternative system recommended pursuant to paragraph (1) with the mental health assessment required by former Section 5407, and with other requirements of law.
(e) The report required by subdivision (d) shall address the feasibility, timeframe, and estimated costs of doing either of the following:
(1) Incorporating the data specified in subdivision (b) in the statewide child welfare information system.
(2) Implementing an alternative system that is more appropriate for the collection and maintenance of the data specified in subdivision (b).