CA SCR137

Designates May 2018 as Foster Care Month in California to raise awareness about challenges facing children in foster care, particularly LGBTQ youth.

Recognizes that approximately 54,685 children lived in California foster care in 2016, with LGBTQ youth overrepresented at rates up to twice that of LGBTQ youth not in foster care.

Documents that LGBTQ foster youth experience higher placement instability, higher rates of violence and harassment, and greater likelihood of aging out without permanent families compared to non-LGBTQ peers.

Affirms California's existing nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBTQ youth and prospective foster parents, noting only 23 other states plus D.C. have similar protections for youth and only 2 other states plus D.C. protect LGBTQ foster parents.

Pledges legislative support to strengthen efforts in finding permanent, safe, and loving homes for LGBTQ foster youth and reducing disparities in outcomes.