CA AB2359

Establishes a resource family rights working group to be convened by the State Department of Social Services with representatives from the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson, County Welfare Directors Association, probation officers, behavioral health directors, current and former foster youth, resource families, and children's advocacy groups.

Requires the working group to evaluate existing resource family rights and recommend revisions and new rights to the Legislature by January 1, 2018.

Mandates the working group develop standardized information about resource family rights and recommendations for disseminating that information by July 1, 2018.

Identifies 25 specific resource family rights for the working group to consider recommending, including the right to dignity and respect as a professional team member, access to training and support, 24/7 contact with the department, receipt of the child's case plan, participation in case planning meetings, and grievance procedures.

Defines "resource family" to include foster families, adoptive families, relative placements, kinship guardians, and resource families.