CA SB589

Establishes the Child Welfare Disaster Response Program administered by the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to foster children, youth, and their caregivers during disasters.

Creates the Child Welfare Disaster Response Account and allocates $2,000,000 from the General Fund upon legislative appropriation to fund the program.

Authorizes county child welfare departments to apply for disaster assistance funds to meet housing, clothing, transportation, and other tangible needs of foster children and youth within 180 days of a local emergency or state of emergency proclamation.

Allows the department to determine eligibility criteria for fund allocation and permits the account to be replenished at the start of each fiscal year.

Authorizes gifts, donations, and bequests to be made to the Child Welfare Disaster Response Account, subject to conditions set by the department.