Aid under this chapter shall be known as the Adoption Assistance Program.

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to benefit children residing in foster homes by providing the stability and security of permanent homes, and in so doing, achieve a reduction in foster home care. It is not the intent of this chapter to increase expenditures but to provide for payments to adoptive parents to enable them to meet the needs of children who meet the criteria established in Sections 16116, 16120, and 16121.

financial assistance needed by the child and the adopting family.

postadoption and postguardianship services. The process for submitting this information shall be developed by the department, in consultation with counties. All gifts or grants received from private sources for the purpose of this chapter shall be used to offset public costs incurred under the program established by this chapter.

the responsible county shall be the county in which the relinquishing parent resides. The responsible county for all other eligible children shall be the county where the child is physically residing prior to placement with the adoptive family. The responsible county shall certify eligibility on a form prescribed by the department.

department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall also provide the prospective adoptive family with information on the availability of mental health services through the Medi-Cal program or other programs, including information, in writing, regarding the importance of working with mental health providers that have specialized adoption or permanency clinical training and experience if the family needs clinical support, and a description of the desirable clinical expertise the family should look for when choosing an adoption- or permanency-competent mental health professional. The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall also provide information regarding

the federal adoption tax credit for any individual who is adopting or considering adopting a child in foster care, in accordance with Section 403 of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351).

circumstances of the family. There shall be no means test used to determine an adoptive family’s eligibility for the Adoption Assistance Program, or the amount of adoption assistance payments. In those instances where an otherwise eligible child does not require a cash benefit, Medi-Cal eligibility may be established for the child, as needed.

pursuant to Sections 16120 and 16120.1.

home, or a resource family at the basic rate, inclusive of any level of care rate determination.

Code.

A child is eligible for Adoption Assistance Program benefits if all of the conditions specified in subdivisions (a) to (l), inclusive, are met or if the conditions specified in subdivision (m) are met.

(A) A petition for termination of parental rights.

(B) A court order terminating parental rights.

(C) A signed relinquishment.

(D) In the case of a tribal customary adoption, the court has given full faith and credit to a tribal customary adoption order as provided for pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 366.26.

(E) In the case of a nonminor dependent, the court has dismissed dependency or transitional jurisdiction subsequent to the approval of

the nonminor dependent adoption petition pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 366.31.

(F) In the case of an Indian child who was a dependent of the juvenile court immediately prior to the transfer of the Indian child’s case pursuant to Section 305.5, a final order of adoption issued by the tribal court of the child’s tribe.

effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

shall also apply to children with a developmental disability, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512, including those determined to require out-of-home nonmedical care, as described in Section 11464.

the support of the child and the child is receiving support from the adoptive parent.

Family Code, and was any of the following:

purposes of this subdivision a tribal customary adoption shall be considered an agency adoption.

and the child would have been AFDC eligible in the home of removal according to Section 606(a) or 607 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as those sections were in effect on July 16, 1996, in the month of the voluntary placement agreement or in the month court proceedings are initiated to remove the child, resulting in a judicial determination that continuation in the home would be contrary to the child’s welfare. The child must have been living with the specified relative from whom the child was removed within six months of the month the voluntary placement agreement was signed or the petition to remove was filed.

judicial determination that remaining in the home would be contrary to the child’s welfare.

or licensed private child placement agency or Indian tribal organization pursuant to either of the following:

qualified immigrant who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and is placed with an unqualified immigrant, the child must meet the five-year residency requirement pursuant to Section 673(a)(2)(B) of Title 42 of the United States Code, unless the child is a member of one of the excepted groups pursuant to Section 1612(b) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

adoption because the prior adoption was dissolved and the parental rights of the adoptive parents were terminated or because the child’s or nonminor’s adoptive parents died and the child or nonminor meets the special needs criteria described in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive. When a nonminor is receiving Adoption Assistance Program benefits after 18 years of age and the nonminor’s adoptive parents die, the juvenile court may resume dependency jurisdiction over the nonminor pursuant to Section 388.1.

fiscal year before the end of that federal fiscal year.

(A) For federal fiscal year 2010, the applicable age is 16 years.

(B) For federal fiscal year 2011, the applicable age is 14 years.

(C) For federal fiscal year 2012, the applicable age is 12 years.

(D) For federal fiscal year 2013, the applicable age is 10 years.

(E) For federal fiscal year 2014, the applicable age is eight years.

(F) For federal fiscal year 2015, the applicable age is six years.

(G) For federal fiscal year 2016, the applicable age is four years.

(H) For federal fiscal year 2017, the applicable age is two years.

(I) For October 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, any age.

(J) Effective January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2024, the applicable age is two years.

(K) Effective July 1, 2024, and thereafter, any age.

months.

requirements of subdivision (k).

The adoption assistance agreement shall, at a minimum, specify the amount and duration of assistance, and that the amount is subject to any applicable increases pursuant to the cost-of-living adjustments established by statute. The date for reassessment of the child’s needs shall be set at the time of the initial negotiation of the adoption assistance agreement, and shall, thereafter be set at each subsequent reassessment. The interval between any reassessments may not exceed two years.

The adoption assistance agreement shall also specify the responsibility of the adopting family for reporting changes in circumstances that might negatively affect their ability to provide for the identified needs of the

child.

Upon the authorization of the department or, where appropriate, the county responsible for determining the child’s or nonminor dependent’s Adoption Assistance Program eligibility status and for providing financial aid, the responsible county shall directly reimburse eligible individuals for reasonable nonrecurring expenses, as defined by the department, incurred as a result of the adoption of a special needs child, as defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, and subdivision (l), of Section 16120. Reimbursements shall conform to the eligibility criteria and claiming procedures established by the department and shall be subject to the following conditions:

or the county responsible for determining the child’s Adoption Assistance Program eligibility status and for providing financial aid. The agreement shall indicate the nature and the amount of the nonrecurring expenses to be paid. Payments shall be limited to an amount not to exceed four hundred dollars ($400) for each placement eligible for the Adoption Assistance Program.

Assistance Program pursuant to Section 673 of Title 42 of the United States Code is terminated.

for a child placed in a licensed or approved family home.

issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in California State Foster Parent Association, et al. v. William Lightbourne, et al., (U.S. Dist. Ct. No. C 07-08056 WHA), whichever is earlier, where the adoption is finalized on or before June 30, 2011, or the date specified in that order, whichever is earlier, the adoptive family shall be paid an amount of aid based on the child’s needs otherwise covered in AFDC-FC payments and the circumstance of the adopting parents, but that amount shall not exceed the basic foster care maintenance payment rate structure in effect on June 30, 2011, or the date immediately before the date specified in the order described in this paragraph, whichever is earlier, and any applicable specialized care increment, that the child would have received while placed in a licensed or approved family home. Adoption assistance benefit payments shall not be increased based solely on age. This paragraph shall not preclude any reassessments of the child’s needs, consistent with other provisions

of this chapter.

and the circumstances of the adopting parents, but that amount shall not exceed the basic foster family home rate structure effective and available as of December 31, 2016, plus any applicable specialized care increment. These adoption assistance benefit payments shall not be increased based solely on age. This paragraph shall not preclude any reassessments of the child’s needs, consistent with other provisions of this chapter.

subdivision (g) of Section 11461 and Section 11463, inclusive of any level of care determination, plus any applicable specialized care increment. This paragraph shall not preclude any reassessments of the child’s needs consistent with other provisions of this chapter.

the applicable provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and other applicable statutes and regulations governing eligibility for AFDC-FC payments for placements in in-state facilities. If the placement is out-of-state,

payments may be made only if the provisions of Section 16121.5 are met. The Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) rate paid on behalf of the child shall not exceed the rate paid for a short-term residential therapeutic program. The designation of the placement facility shall be made after consultation with the

adoptive family by the department or county welfare agency responsible for determining the Adoption Assistance Program eligibility and authorizing financial aid. Group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or residential placement shall only be made as part of a plan for return of the child to the adoptive family, that shall actively participate in the plan. Adoption Assistance Program benefits may be authorized for payment for an eligible child’s group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or residential treatment facility placement if the placement is justified by a specific episode or condition and does not exceed an 18-month cumulative period of time. After an initial authorized group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or residential treatment facility placement, subsequent authorizations for payment for a group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or residential treatment facility placement may be based on an

eligible child’s subsequent specific episodes or conditions.

16119.

(ii) For purposes of this clause, for a child who is a recipient of AAP benefits or for whom the execution of an AAP agreement is pending, and who has been deemed eligible for or has sought an eligibility determination for regional center services pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4512, and for whom a determination of

eligibility for those regional center services has been made, and for whom, before July 1, 2007, a maximum rate determination has been requested and is pending, the rate shall be determined through an individualized assessment and pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 35333 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations as in effect on January 1, 2007, or the rate established in subdivision (b) of Section 11464, whichever is greater. Once the rate has been set, it shall remain in effect and may only be changed in accordance with Section 16119. Other than the circumstances described in this clause, regional centers shall not make maximum rate benefit determinations for the AAP.

department pursuant to this subdivision shall be adopted as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and for the purposes of that chapter, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of these regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. The regulations authorized by this paragraph shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days, by which time final regulations shall be adopted.

fraud in its application for, or reassessment of, the adoption assistance.

has a mental or physical disability that warrants the continuation of assistance.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11105, the residence of the adoptive parents at the time of or subsequent to adoptive placement shall not terminate the eligibility of a child who is otherwise eligible for adoptive assistance payments.

The Director of Social Services and the Director of Health Services may enter into interstate agreements pursuant to Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 16170) that provide for medical and other necessary services for special needs children, establish procedures for interstate delivery of adoption assistance and related services and benefits, and provide for the adoption of related regulations.

children. In light of the enactment and implementation of the 2011 Realignment and the Continuum of Care Reform, it is necessary to change the construction of the Private Agency Adoptions Reimbursement Program in order to allow for local control of the program and ensure the services provided are consistent with the Continuum of Care Reform, and to allow unspent funds to be utilized to support permanency activities undertaken outside of the Private Agency Adoptions Reimbursement Program.

pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code for the costs of supporting families through the process of adopting children or nonminor dependents eligible for the Adoption Assistance Program benefits pursuant to Section 16120.

of finalization of the adoption. The remainder shall be paid at the time the adoption petition is granted by the court. Reimbursement procedures shall be established by the department in consultation with the counties and private adoption agencies.

after that effective date. Children for whom an adoption placement agreement was signed prior to that date shall be reimbursed pursuant to the rates in effect prior to July 1, 2020, and those claims shall be paid by the department pursuant to the process in effect at that time under former Section 16122, with the exception that a cost report shall not be required for adoptions in process as of July 1, 2020.

to, pre- and post-permanency support related to the establishment of adoptions and guardianships for foster children. This may include services outlined in guidance from the department issued in All-County Letter 18-142.

language for the placement agreement signed between the county and a dually licensed private nonprofit foster family and adoption agency to ensure compensation is made pursuant to this section should the child transition to an adoption with a family who is under the auspices of that agency.

The provisions of Section 16120, permitting the payment of adoption assistance until a child attains 18 or 21 years of age if the child has mental or physical handicaps, or effective January 1, 2012, up to 21 years of age, if the child or nonminor meets the criteria specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 16120, shall be effective as long as federal funds are available under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (Part E (commencing with Section 670) of Subchapter 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code), and the state continues to exercise its option to extend payments up to 21 years of age, pursuant to Section 473(a)(4) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 673(a)(4)). When those funds cease to be available, the maximum length for payment of the Adoption Assistance Program shall be five years except

in instances in which there is a continuing need, related to a chronic health condition of the child which necessitated the initial financial assistance. On and after October 1, 1992, the parent may petition the department or the responsible county to continue financial assistance up to the age of majority.

parents, foster youth, or mentoring families.

annual Budget Act to each county participating in the project shall be allocated as follows:

dollars ($300,000).

not supplant, existing federal, state, and local funds, and shall be used only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the project.

county and the state district office to analyze the effects of the project.

A foster child whose adoption has become final, who is receiving or is eligible to receive Adoption Assistance Program assistance, including Medi-Cal, and whose foster care court supervision has been terminated, shall be provided medically necessary specialty mental health services by the local mental health plan in the county of residence of his or her adoptive parents, pursuant to all of the following:

provider shall prepare the TAR.

(A) Adoptive parents.

(B) Former foster youth.

(C) Representatives from the mental health and child welfare fields, including associations representing county mental health departments and private organizations providing specialty mental health services.

(D) Representatives from mental health and social work graduate degree-granting postsecondary education institutions.

(E) Representatives from relevant state

and local agencies.