Background checks.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on what happens if background checks from other states come back after an applicant has started working.

Background Checks for Child Care Workers

AB-276 allows child care facilities to approve individuals to work with children before receiving background check results from another state, under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

• Allows a licensee of a community care facility to approve an individual to care for children before the completion of another state’s child abuse and neglect registry check if specific conditions are met.
• Requires the licensee to remove an applicant immediately upon receipt of information that would disqualify them from approval based on their background check results.
• Requires the licensee to notify the State Department of Social Services about any removal within 3 business days.

Who It Names or Affects

• Licensees of community care facilities in California
• People applying to work at child care facilities

Terms To Know

Licensee

A person or organization that has permission from the state to run a child care facility.

Background check

An investigation into someone's past, including their criminal record and history of abuse or neglect.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if the background checks from other states come back after an applicant has already started working.
• It is unclear how this change will affect child safety in California's child care facilities.

Official Summary Text

AB 276, as introduced, Bennett.
Background checks.
Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of community care facilities, including foster family homes and foster family agencies, by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law requires a criminal record check of applicants for a license, special permit, or certificate of approval for a foster family home or certified family home, and other persons, including nonclients who reside in those homes and staff and employees. Existing law requires the department to check the child abuse and neglect registry of a different state for a licensee of a community care facility who has lived in another state in the preceding 5 years. Existing law generally makes violations of these requirements a crime.
This bill would authorize a licensee of a community care facility to approve an
individual to care for children before the completion of another state’s child abuse and neglect registry check if certain specified conditions are met, including that the community care facility has submitted a request for the out-of-state abuse and neglect registry check to the department. The bill would require a licensee to remove an applicant from the community care facility immediately upon receipt of information that would disqualify the applicant from approval and notify the department of the removal within 3 business days. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a
specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF