A state Senate policy panel approved a plan to fix unintended delays and financial hardships in a new statewide program for placing individuals with foster caregivers.

The Senate Human Services Committee on a bipartisan, 6-0 vote approved Senate Bill 1083 by Sen. Holly J. Mitchell to help fix the program, known as Resource Family Approval, to create a more unified, child-centered and family-friendly approval process.

Specifically, SB 1083 by Mitchell, chair of the Senate budget and Fiscal Review Committee, would enact the policy changes needed to remove hurdles to timely placements.

“This bill is an important step toward fulfilling the intent of RFA by supporting families and making sure that unintentional delays do not result in hardship for children who are recovering from abuse and neglect,” Mitchell said.

Fixing the RFA program will put California on track, improving the lives of foster youth and families, Mitchell said.