SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A bill designed to make foster care safer and more supportive for LGBT was signed into law Thursday night by Governor Jerry Brown.
Assembly Bill 1856, authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and co-sponsored by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, will require existing training programs for foster youth caregivers to include information related to cultural competency and best practices for serving LGBT young people. The bill was approved by the Assembly by a 49-25 bipartisan vote, and the Senate by a vote of 23-13.
The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.