Section 16516.5.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, all foster children placed in group homes by county welfare departments or county probation departments shall be visited at least monthly by a county social worker or probation officer. Each visit shall include a private discussion between the foster child and the county social worker or probation officer. The discussion shall not be held in the presence or immediate vicinity of the group home staff. The contents of the private discussion shall not be disclosed to the group home staff, except that the social worker or probation officer may disclose information under any of the following circumstances:

(1) The social worker or probation officer believes that the foster child may be in danger of harming himself or herself, or others.

(2) The social worker or probation officer believes that disclosure is necessary to meet the needs of the child.

(3) The child consents to disclosure of the information.

(b) (1) Prior to the 2011–12 fiscal year, notwithstanding Section 10101, the state shall pay 100 percent of the nonfederal costs associated with the monthly visitation requirement in subdivision (a) in excess of the minimum semiannual visits required under current regulations.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 35, Sec. 135. Effective June 27, 2012.)