361.21. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 86, Sec. 19.)

(a) The court shall not order or approve the placement of a child or nonminor dependent in an out-of-state residential facility, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 7910 of the Family Code, unless the court finds, in its order of placement and based on evidence presented by the county placing agency, that all of the following conditions have been met:

(1) The out-of-state group home is licensed or certified for the placement of children by an agency of the state in which the child or nonminor dependent 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 Section 7911.1 of the Family Code.

(3) On and after July 1, 2021, the county placing agency 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 child or nonminor dependent.