Section 11467.2.

(a) The department shall contract with an independent evaluator to conduct a study of alternative funding mechanisms for group home care in California and to formulate a proposed funding system for the care and supervision of children who are placed in group home care. The independent evaluator shall consider and evaluate alternative funding mechanisms, including, but not limited to, cost-based rates, individual client needs-based rates, managed care rates, program type rates, and negotiated rates, and shall propose a specific mechanism and procedure, for children subject to Sections 300 or 602 who are placed in group homes. The study shall consider empirical research, current foster care program service needs, other state funding systems, and any other relevant data, including information obtained from the final report regarding the Reexamination of the Role of Group Care Within a Family Based System of Care, as mandated by Chapter 311 of the Statutes of 1998.

(b) The department shall convene a steering committee to provide direction for the study, which shall be comprised of appropriate state and county agencies, as well as group home providers, current or former foster youth, and other interested parties.

(c) The department shall provide a copy of the final report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature on or before October 1, 2001. Any proposal or recommendations submitted pursuant to this section shall not become effective unless enacted pursuant to statute.

(d) Pending completion of a new rate system, this section shall not be construed in any way to prohibit recognition through the budget process of the costs of operating under the current rate system or the consideration of rate adjustments.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 108, Sec. 44. Effective July 10, 2000.)