AB 1094

This bill creates an alternative license continuation process for certain

accredited entities licensed by the Department of Children and Families.

Under current law, DCF licenses child welfare agencies, group homes, and

shelter care facilities. Current law provides that such a license, other than a

probationary license, is valid until revoked or suspended, but requires DCF to review

the license every two years after the date of issuance. Current law requires a

licensee, at least 30 days prior to the continuation date of its license, to submit to DCF

an application for continuance of the license in the form and containing the

information that DCF requires. Current law requires DCF to continue the license

for two years if the minimum requirements for a license are met, the application is

approved, fees required for the application, fingerprinting, and background checks

are paid, and any forfeiture or penalty imposed for a license violation is paid.

Under the bill, a child welfare agency, group home, or shelter care facility that

is accredited by a national accreditation body that has developed child welfare

standards (accredited licensee) may request a license continuation from DCF as an

alternative to the normal continuation application process. If the accredited licensee

chooses this option, it must submit a request to DCF for license continuation at least

30 days prior to the continuation date of its license. The bill provides that DCF must

continue such a license for two years if 1) the licensee submits along with this request

proof that it is accredited by a national accreditation body that has developed child

welfare standards and proof that it is in compliance with background check

requirements; 2) the fees required for the application, fingerprinting, and

background checks are paid; and 3) any forfeiture or penalty imposed for a license

violation is paid.

Under the bill, this alternative process for license continuation is not available

to an accredited licensee that is subject to the sanction of complying with a plan of

correction or closing intake of any new children or subject to a penalty of license

suspension for not more than two weeks.

Current law allows DCF to inspect the records and visit the premises of

licensees. This bill requires DCF to suspend normal monitoring actions for an

accredited licensee for a period set by the licensee but not to exceed 18 months if the

licensee notifies DCF that it is entering a reaccreditation process, except to verify

correction of a violation or investigate a serious incident. Also under the bill, DCF

may not cite an accredited licensee for noncompliance with a license standard if the

licensee is in compliance with an accreditation standard that exceeds the license

standard or addresses the same issue in an alternative way.