Section 11462.1.

(a) No later than February 1, 1997, the department shall establish a proposal for a basic rate for the care and supervision of children subject to Section 300 or Section 602 who are placed in out-of-home care facilities, regardless of the type of placement. In addition, the proposal shall include a rate structure with incremental rates for various service components provided to children subject to Section 300 or Section 602 who are placed in out-of-home care to facilitate the provision of those services according to the individual needs of each child.

(b) The rate structure proposed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall, in the aggregate, cost no more than the aggregate cost of the rate structure in effect on January 1, 1997.

(c) The department, in developing the rate structure proposal required by this section, shall seek and consider the advice and participation of county welfare and probation departments, group home providers, foster family agencies, group home associations, the Foster Parent Association, representatives of the Legislature, and other interested parties.

(d) The department shall provide the proposal to the chairs of the appropriate policy committees and fiscal committees in the Senate and the Assembly by February 1, 1997. Any change to the current rate system proposed by the department pursuant to this section shall require statutory authorization.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 206, Sec. 9. Effective July 22, 1996.)