Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006

Expanded Background Checks of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006:

Laws were enacted in 2006 and 2007:

  • FEDERAL – The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-248, Social Security Act Title IV-E)
  • STATE – Senate Bill 703 (Ducheny) Chapter 583, Statutes of 2007

These laws affect the following community care licensed facilities:

  • Foster Family Agencies
  • Foster Family Homes
  • Certified Family Homes
  • Counties authorized to License Foster Family Homes and Certified Family Homes
  • Relative and Non-Related Extended Family Homes

The laws changed the background check process for prospective foster parents:

  • A completed FBI criminal history check is required prior to licensure or certification.
  • Any prospective foster parent or other adult in the home who has lived in another state in the past five years must have a completed out-of-state child abuse/neglect check prior to licensure, certification or approval.
  • Applies to prospective foster parents applying for licensure, certification, or approval after January 1, 2008.

Forms:

Out-of-state contacts and forms have been developed and are available on the CDSS web site.

Out-of-State Disclosure & Criminal Record Statement - LIC 508D

Out-of-State Disclosure - (LIC 508 OOS)

Out-of-State Child Abuse/Neglect Report Request - LIC 198B (8/21)

Out-of-State Child Abuse/Neglect Report Request - LIC 198B (Spanish)

Out-of-State Child Abuse/Neglect Report Request - County Template

Implementation Instructions:

For County Foster Family Home Program Licensing Agencies

For Foster Family Agencies

Children's Residential Program Office Staff

The following additional information and materials are available to help you.

Brief summary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006:

Who to contact with questions about California’s implementation:

  • Care Provider Management Branch (888) 422-5669
  • Community Care Licensing Division, County Liaisons (916) 323-1691
  • Children and Family Services Division, County Relative Assessment/Approval (916) 657-1858