(a) If the court orders the care, custody, and control of the minor to be under the supervision of the probation officer for foster care placement pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 727, the decision regarding choice of placement, pursuant to Section 706.6, shall be based upon selection of a safe setting that is the least restrictive or most family-like, and the most appropriate setting that meets the individual needs of the minor and is available, in proximity to the parent’s home, consistent with the selection of the environment best suited to meet the minor’s special needs and best interests. The selection shall consider, in order of priority, placement with relatives, tribal members, and foster family, group care, and residential treatment pursuant to § 7950 of the Family Code.

(b) Unless otherwise authorized by law, the court shall not order the placement of a minor who is adjudged a ward of the court on the basis that the ward is a person described by either Section 601 or 602 in an out-of-state residential facility, as defined in subdivision (b) of § 7910 of the Family Code, unless the court finds, in its order of placement and based on evidence presented by the county probation department, that all of the following conditions are met:

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(1) The out-of-state residential facility is licensed or certified for the placement of children by an agency of the state in which the ward will be placed.

(2) The out-of-state residential facility has been certified by the State Department of Social Services or is exempt from that certification, pursuant to § 7911.1 of the Family Code.

(3) On and after July 1, 2021, the county probation department has fulfilled its responsibilities as set forth in Sections 4096 and 16010.9.

(4) The court has reviewed the documentation of any required assessment, technical assistance efforts, or recommendations and finds that in-state facilities or programs are unavailable or inadequate to meet the needs of the ward.

(c) If, upon inspection, the probation officer of the county in which the minor is adjudged a ward of the court determines that the out-of-state facility or program is not in compliance with the standards required under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) or has an adverse impact on the health and safety of the minor, the probation officer may temporarily remove the minor from the facility or program. The probation officer shall promptly inform the court of the minor’s removal, and shall return the minor to the court for a hearing to review the suitability of continued out-of-state placement. The probation officer shall, within one business day of removing the minor, notify the State Department of Social Services’ Compact Administrator, and, within five working days, submit a written report of the findings and actions taken.

(d) The court shall review each of these placements for compliance with the requirements of subdivision (b) at least once every six months.

(e) The county shall not be entitled to receive or expend any public funds for the placement of a minor in an out-of-state group home or short-term residential therapeutic program, unless the conditions of subdivisions (b) and (d) are met.

(f) Notwithstanding any other law, on and after July 1, 2022, the court shall not order or approve any new placement of a minor by a county probation department in an out-of-state residential facility, as defined in subdivision (b) of § 7910 of the Family Code, except for placements described in subdivision (h) of § 7911.1 of the Family Code.

(g) Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall order any minor placed out of state by a county probation department in an out-of-state residential facility, as defined in subdivision (b) of § 7910 of the Family Code, to be returned to California no later than January 1, 2023, except for placements described in subdivision (h) of § 7911.1 of the Family Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 86, Sec. 28. (AB 153) Effective July 16, 2021.)