361.22. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 18.)

(a) (1) For a placement made on or after October 1, 2021, each placement of a child or nonminor dependent in a short-term residential therapeutic program, including the initial placement and each subsequent placement into a short-term residential therapeutic program, shall be reviewed by the court within 45 days of the start of placement in accordance with this section. In no event shall the court grant a continuance pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 352 that would cause the review to be completed more than 60 days after the start of the placement.

(2) For a placement made on or after July 1, 2022, each placement of a child or nonminor dependent in a community treatment facility, including the initial placement and each subsequent placement into a community treatment facility, shall be reviewed by the court within 45 days of the start of placement in accordance with this section. In no event shall the court grant a continuance pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 352 that would cause the review to be completed more than 60 days after the start of the placement.

(b) (1) At any time after the decision to place a child or nonminor dependent into a short-term residential therapeutic program or a community treatment facility has been made, but no later than five calendar days following each placement, the social worker shall request the court to schedule a hearing to review the placement.

(2) The social worker shall serve a copy of the request on all parties to the proceeding, the child’s or nonminor dependent’s court appointed special advocate, if applicable, and the child’s tribe in the case of an Indian child.

(c) (1) The social worker shall prepare and submit a report that shall include all of the following:

(A) A copy of the assessment, determination as to the services and care needs of the child or nonminor dependent, and documentation prepared by the qualified individual pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 4096.

(B) The case plan documentation required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 16501.1.

(C) In the case of an Indian child, a statement regarding whether the child’s tribe had an opportunity to confer regarding the departure from the placement preferences described in Section 361.31, and the active efforts made prior to placement in a short-term therapeutic program or community treatment facility to satisfy subdivision (f) of Section 224.1.

(D) A statement regarding whether the child or nonminor dependent or any party to the proceeding, or the child’s tribe in the case of an Indian child, objects to the placement of the child or nonminor dependent in the short-term residential therapeutic program or community treatment facility.

(2) The social worker shall serve a copy of the report to all parties to the proceeding no later than seven calendar days before the hearing.

(d) Within five calendar days of the request described in subdivision (b), the court shall set a hearing to be held within 45 days after the start of the placement and give notice of the hearing to all parties to the proceeding, and the child’s tribe in the case of an Indian child.

(e) When reviewing each placement of the child or nonminor dependent in a short-term residential therapeutic program or a community treatment facility, the court shall do all of the following:

(1) Consider the information specified in subdivision (c).

(2) Determine whether the needs of the child or nonminor dependent can be met through placement in a family-based setting, or, if not, whether placement in a short-term residential therapeutic program or community treatment facility, as applicable, provides the most effective and appropriate care setting for the child or nonminor dependent in the least restrictive environment. A shortage or lack of family homes shall not be an appropriate reason for determining that the needs of the child cannot be met in a family-based setting.

(3) Determine whether a short-term residential therapeutic program or community treatment facility level of care, as applicable, is consistent with the short- and long-term mental and behavioral health goals and permanency plan for the child or nonminor dependent.

(4) In the case of an Indian child, determine whether there is good cause to depart from the placement preferences set forth in Section 361.31.

(5) Approve or disapprove the placement.

(6) Make a finding, either in writing or on the record, of the basis for its determinations pursuant to this subdivision.

(f) If the court disapproves the placement, the court shall order the social worker to transition the child or nonminor dependent to a placement setting that is consistent with the determinations made pursuant to subdivision (e) within 30 days of the disapproval.

(g) This section does not prohibit the court from reviewing the placement of a child or nonminor dependent in a short-term residential therapeutic program or community treatment facility pursuant to subdivision (a) at a regularly scheduled hearing if that hearing is held within 60 days of the placement and the information described in subdivision (c) has been presented to the court.

(h) (1) On or before October 1, 2021, for placements into a short-term residential therapeutic program, the Judicial Council shall amend or adopt rules of court and shall develop or amend appropriate forms, as necessary, to implement this section, including developing a procedure to enable the court to review the placement without a hearing.

(2) On or before October 1, 2022, for placements into a community treatment facility, the Judicial Council shall amend or adopt rules of court and shall develop or amend appropriate forms, as necessary, to implement this section, including developing a procedure to enable the court to review the placement without a hearing.