CA SB316

Authorizes the State Department of Social Services and early implementation counties to grant criminal records exemptions for foster care provider and resource family applicants for certain crimes previously ineligible for exemption, requiring consideration of all reasonably available information in the exemption determination.

Permits temporary placement of children with relatives or nonrelative extended family members pending criminal records exemption approval if all parties agree the placement is in the child's best interests, with the fact of prior residence to be considered when determining whether to grant the exemption.

Requires consideration of criminal history as part of the foster care provider licensing or resource family approval process when an applicant has been convicted of an offense not specifically listed as eligible or ineligible for exemption.

Implements a unified resource family approval process to replace existing separate processes for foster family home licensing, relative/nonrelative extended family member approval, and adoptive family approval, with consistent criminal records clearance requirements across all applicant types.

Establishes that criminal records clearances must include state and federal-level background checks, with exemptions available based on rehabilitation, district attorney recommendations, or certificates of rehabilitation for certain offenses under specified conditions.