(a) “Placement agency” means a county probation department, county welfare department, county social service department, county mental health department, county public guardian, general acute care hospital discharge planner or coordinator, conservator pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Division 4 of the Probate Code, conservator pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and regional center for persons with developmental disabilities, that is engaged in finding homes or other places for placement of persons of any age for temporary or permanent care.

(b) A placement agency shall place individuals only in licensed community care facilities, facilities that are exempt from licensing under Section 1505 or if the facility satisfies subdivision (c) of Section 362 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or with a foster family agency.

(c) No employee of a placement agency shall place, refer, or recommend placement of a person in a facility operating without a license, unless the facility is exempt from licensing under Section 1505 or unless the facility satisfies subdivision (c) of Section 362 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(d) Any employee of a placement agency who knows, or reasonably suspects, that a facility that is not exempt from licensing is operating without a license shall report the name and address of the facility to the department. Failure to report as required by this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(e) The department shall investigate any report filed under subdivision (d). If the department has probable cause to believe that the facility that is the subject of the report is operating without a license, the department shall investigate the facility within 10 days after receipt of the report.

(f) A placement agency shall notify the appropriate licensing agency of known or suspected incidents that would jeopardize the health or safety of residents in a community care facility. Reportable incidents include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Incidents of physical or sexual abuse.

(2) A violation of personal rights.

(3) A situation in which a facility is unclean, unsafe, unsanitary, or in poor condition.

(4) A situation in which a facility has insufficient personnel or incompetent personnel on duty.

(5) A situation in which residents experience mental or verbal abuse.

(6) A situation in which residents are inadequately supervised.

(7) Incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a nonminor dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, by a licensed caregiver while the nonminor is in a foster care placement.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 459, Sec. 3. (AB 212) Effective October 4, 2011.)