CA AB1051

Commencing July 1, 2023, foster children placed in group homes, community treatment facilities, short-term residential therapeutic programs, or children's crisis residential programs out of their county of origin retain mental health services responsibility with the original county unless the case plan specifies transition to a less restrictive placement in the new county or the placing agency determines the child would be negatively impacted by non-transfer.

Establishes notification requirements for placing agencies to inform mental health plans of out-of-county placements before placement or within three business days after placement to support service delivery and timely payment.

Allows the original county's mental health plan and specialty mental health services providers to utilize existing contracts or establish new contracts to ensure timely payment for services when responsibility is not transferred to the receiving county.

Requires the departments to collect and report statewide data on specialty mental health services received by out-of-county foster children, including the number placed out of county, those receiving services, and which county is responsible for each.

Directs the State Department of Social Services and Department of Health Care Services to adopt regulations by July 1, 2027, and requires federal approval from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by July 1, 2024, before implementation.