CA AB1235

Renames "runaway and homeless youth shelters" to "youth homelessness prevention centers" and expands eligibility to include youth at risk of homelessness and youth exhibiting status offender behavior, in addition to homeless and runaway youth.

Extends the maximum length of stay from 21 consecutive days to 90 consecutive days from date of admission.

Centers must provide voluntary, short-term, 24-hour nonmedical care and supervision to eligible youth ages 12-17 (or 18 if completing high school), with a maximum capacity of 25 youth and one staff member per eight youth ratio.

Youth homelessness prevention centers are excluded as placement options under dependency, delinquency, and transition jurisdiction statutes (Sections 319, 361.2, 450, and 727 of Welfare and Institutions Code) and are ineligible for AFDC-FC funding.

Centers must collect and maintain monthly reports tracking number of youth served, ages, length of stay, and frequency of access; staff must complete criminal record and Child Abuse Central Index checks prior to employment or youth interaction.