(a)
It is the intent of the Legislature that dependency drug courts be funded unless an evaluation of cost avoidance as provided in this section with respect to child welfare services and foster care demonstrates that the program is not cost effective.
(b)
The State Department of Social Services, in collaboration
with the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and the Judicial Council, shall conduct an evaluation of cost avoidance with respect to child welfare services and foster care pursuant to this section. These parties shall do all of the following:
(1)
Consult with legislative staff and at least one representative of an existing dependency drug court program who has experience conducting an evaluation of cost avoidance, to clarify the elements to be reviewed.
(2)
Identify requirements, such as specific measures of cost savings and data to be evaluated, and methodology for use of control cases for comparison data.
(3)
Whenever possible, use existing evaluation case samples to gather the necessary additional data.
(c)
This section shall become
inoperative on July 1, 2013.