Section 1503.5.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1503.5.
in effect(a)
A facility shall be deemed to be an “unlicensed community care facility” and “maintained and operated to provide nonmedical care” if it is unlicensed and not exempt from licensure and any one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(1)
The facility is providing care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(2)
The facility is held out as or represented as providing care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(3)
The facility accepts or retains residents who
demonstrate the need for care or supervision, as defined by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(4)
The facility represents itself as a licensed community care facility.
(5)
The facility is performing any of the functions of a foster family agency or holding itself out as a foster family agency.
(6)
The facility is performing any of the functions of an adoption agency or holding itself out as performing any of the functions of an adoption agency as specified in paragraphs (9) and (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, or any of the functions described in Section 8521, Section 8533, or subdivision (b) of Section 8900.5 of the Family Code.
(b)
No unlicensed community care facility, as defined in subdivision (a), shall operate in this state.
(c)
Upon discovery of an unlicensed community care facility, the department shall refer residents to the appropriate local or state ombudsman, or placement, adult protective services, or child protective services agency if either of the following conditions exist:
(1)
There is an immediate threat to the clients’ health
and safety.
(2)
The facility will not cooperate with the licensing agency to apply for a license, meet licensing standards, and obtain a valid license.
References
referencesCal. Family Code - FAM § 8900.5.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1502.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 8521.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 8533.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026