BILL NUMBER: AB 1943INTRODUCED 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.