(a) When the department periodically reviews the record of substantiated complaints against each group home or short-term residential therapeutic program, pursuant to its oversight role as prescribed by Section 1534, to determine whether the nature, number, and severity of incidents upon which complaints were based constitute a basis for concern as to whether the provider is capable of effectively and efficiently operating the program, and if the department determines that there is cause for concern, it may contact the county in which a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program is located and placement agencies in other counties using the group home or short-term residential therapeutic program, and request their recommendations as to what action, if any, the department should take with regard to the provider’s status as a licensed group home or short-term residential therapeutic program provider.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department make every effort to communicate with the county in which a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program is located when the department has concerns about group homes or short-term residential therapeutic programs within that county.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 612, Sec. 46. (AB 1997) Effective January 1, 2017.)