AB 1821 Summary

• Establishes Medical Foster Home Pilot Program effective June 1, 2015, allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) facilities to operate medical foster homes exempt from California residential care facility licensing and regulation.

• Medical foster homes must meet federal requirements under 38 CFR Sections 17.73 and 17.74, obtain USDVA Central Office approval, and submit to California State Auditor jurisdiction for program evaluation.

• Requires USDVA to submit fingerprint images and criminal background information for medical foster home caregivers and non-veteran residents over 18 years old to the Department of Justice for state and federal conviction/arrest record checks.

• Directs California State Auditor to conduct an audit of the pilot program no sooner than January 1, 2016, to evaluate USDVA compliance with goals and standards and recommend whether to continue the program.

• Pilot program sunsets January 1, 2018, unless extended by statute enacted before that date; background check requirement provision expires upon USDVA receipt of federal authority to conduct its own background checks or January 1, 2018, whichever occurs first.