Section 16501.02.
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16501.02.
in effect(a)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)
“Alternative care” means care and supervision of more than 24 consecutive hours, but no more than 72 consecutive hours unless the foster child’s social worker or probation officer provides prior approval.
(2)
“Alternative caregiver” means a person who is at least 18 years of age and provides alternative care for a foster child in either his or her home or the home of the caregiver.
(3)
“Caregiver” means any licensed or certified foster parent, approved relative
caregiver, or approved nonrelative extended family member, or approved resource family.
(4)
“Reasonable and prudent parent” or “reasonable and prudent parent standard” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 362.05.
(b)
A caregiver may arrange for occasional alternative care of his or her foster child and allow an alternative caregiver to provide care and supervision to the foster child, unless prohibited by the foster child’s social worker or probation officer or court order.
(c)
A caregiver shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in determining and selecting an appropriate alternative caregiver.
(d)
A caregiver shall
endeavor to provide an alternative caregiver with all of the following information before leaving the foster child for purposes of alternative care:
(1)
Information about the foster child’s emotional, behavioral, medical, or physical conditions, if any, necessary to provide care for the foster child during the time the foster child is being supervised by the alternative caregiver.
(2)
Any medication that should be administered to the foster child during the time the foster child is being supervised by the alternative caregiver.
(3)
Emergency contact information that is valid during the time the foster child is being supervised by the alternative caregiver.
References
referencesCal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 362.05.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026