California Senate Bill 319 Of 2015 To Give County Public Health Nurses Authority To Monitor Use Of Psychotropic Medications Prescribed To Children In Foster Care

The legislation was signed into law on October 6, 2015. It is part of a three-bill package with provisions to increase state oversight and to limit the amount of psychotropic medications prescribed to children in California’s foster care system. The three bills are Senate Bills (SB) 484, 319, and 238. SB 484 increases reporting requirements to detect overprescribing. SB 319 gives county public health nurses authority to monitor use of psychotropic drugs prescribed to children in foster care. SB 238 provides for training and tools to improve communication between child welfare services and provider organizations to provide appropriate . . .