§ 16516.6. — 16516.6. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 492, Sec. 2.)

(a)
When a county social worker or probation officer makes a regular visit with a child in any licensed, certified, or approved foster home, the regular visit shall include a private discussion between the foster child and the social worker or probation officer. The private discussion shall not be held in the presence or immediate vicinity of the foster parent or caregiver. The social worker or probation
officer shall advise the foster child that he or she has the right to request that the private discussion occur outside the foster home. If a foster child requests to have the private discussion outside the foster home, that private discussion shall not replace the visit in the foster home. However, the social worker or probation officer shall not be required to schedule an additional visit to accommodate the request. The contents of the private discussion shall not be disclosed to the foster parent or caregiver, except that the social worker or probation officer may disclose information under any of the following circumstances:
(1)
The social worker or probation officer believes that the foster child may be in danger of harming himself or herself, or others.
(2)
The social worker or probation officer believes that disclosure is necessary to meet the needs of the child.
(3)
The child consents to disclosure of the information.
(b)
The location of monthly visits for each foster child who is placed in a licensed, certified, or approved foster home by a county welfare department or a county probation department shall comply with federal requirements as described in Section 624(f)(2)(A) of Title 42 of the United States Code. No more than two consecutive monthly visits may be held outside the residence of the foster child.
(c)
If the visit does not occur in the place of residence, the social worker or probation officer shall document in the case file and in the court report the location of the visit and the reason for the visit occurring outside the place of residence.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 492, Sec. 2. (SB 342) Effective January 1, 2014.