Care facilities: internet access.

Under existing law, the State Department of Social Services is required to license, inspect, and regulate various types of care facilities, including community care facilities, residential care facilities for persons with chronic life-threatening illness, and residential care facilities for the elderly. Existing law imposes criminal penalties on a person who violates these provisions, or who willfully or repeatedly violates any rule or regulation adopted under these provisions. This bill would require residential facilities serving adults, residential care facilities for persons with chronic life-threatening illness, and residential care facilities for the elderly with existing internet service to provide at least one internet access device that can support real-time interactive applications, is equipped with videoconferencing technology, and is dedicated for client or resident use, as specified. Because a violation of the bill would be a misdemeanor, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.