Bill > AB493

This bill aims to enhance protections for children in community care facilities by restricting registered sex offenders from residing or working in certain types of facilities, including licensed foster homes, certified foster family agency homes, and homes receiving placements for children declared dependents of the court. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies, at the time of registration for individuals required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act (a law requiring individuals convicted of certain sex offenses to register their personal information with law enforcement), determine if the registered address is prohibited and notify the individual if it is. Furthermore, the State Department of Social Services will provide law enforcement with lists of these sensitive facilities, and their investigators will regularly compare registered sex offender addresses against these lists, reporting any matches to child welfare agencies. A juvenile court may waive these prohibitions if the residence is with a noncustodial parent, relative, or extended family member and the court finds the placement to be in the child's best interest.