CA AB139

Amends Section 361.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to authorize social workers to place dependent children in the home of a relative authorized by juvenile court, regardless of criminal record exemption status or resource family approval status, if the court finds the placement poses no risk to the child's health and safety.

Adds Section 13282.1 to allow the State Department of Social Services to award contracts and grants to private for-profit organizations using federal Office of Refugee Resettlement funds for refugee resettlement efforts until December 31, 2022, while prioritizing nonprofit organizations and counties when practicable.

Requires the department to track and report funding provided to each service provider type and their purposes to the Legislature on August 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023.

Appropriates $27,500,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Social Services to cover administrative costs for providing reimbursement rate supplements to family childcare providers through June 30, 2023.

Exempts contracts and grants awarded under the bill from personal services contracting requirements, the Public Contract Code, and State Contracting Manual approval processes.