CA AB2496

Establishes new liability framework (Code of Civil Procedure Chapter 11) requiring foster family agencies (FFAs) and noncustodial adoption agencies to be liable only for their own negligence, not for public entity negligence, with each party bearing its own insurance and defense costs through January 1, 2027.

Voids as unenforceable any contract provisions requiring FFAs to indemnify or insure public entities for damages caused by the public entity's negligence or intentional conduct.

Clarifies that resource families transferring approval between foster family agencies or to counties retain the most recently established payment rate, with adjustments permitted after approval based on the child's needs, effective October 1, 2024 through January 1, 2027.

Authorizes the State Department of Social Services to temporarily waive resource family transfer requirements (except background checks) to expedite transfers and requires reporting to the Legislature on transfer data and insurance availability options by the 2025 May Revision.

Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to allow foster family agencies facing closure to transfer placements and minimize disruption to foster youth.