Child abuse or neglect: reporting.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not mention sending reports to all attorneys representing children in dependency cases when the abuse occurred in a placement, only to the attorney for the child and parent/guardian.

Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting

AB-1192 requires local agencies to send copies of reports about suspected child abuse or neglect to attorneys representing parents and children in certain dependency cases, with specific exceptions.

What This Bill Does

• Requires local agencies to give a copy of a report about suspected child abuse or neglect to the attorney who represents the parent or legal guardian of the child.
• Does not require sending reports to parents whose parental rights have been terminated or those not entitled to reunification services.
• Needs agencies to remove personal information from reports before sharing them with attorneys.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local law enforcement and welfare or probation departments
• Attorneys for parents and legal guardians involved in child dependency cases

Terms To Know

Mandated reporters

Professionals like doctors, nurses, and social workers who must report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Dependency court

A special court that deals with cases involving children who are not safe at home due to abuse or neglect.

Limits and Unknowns

• Doesn't specify the exact cost for local agencies to follow these new rules.
• The bill doesn't explain what happens if the required information isn't sent on time.

Official Summary Text

AB 1192, as introduced, Carrillo.
Child abuse or neglect: reporting.
Existing law, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, establishes procedures for the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect. Existing law requires certain professionals, including specified health practitioners and social workers, known as “mandated reporters,” to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect to a local law enforcement agency or a county welfare or probation department, as specified. Existing law requires an employee of those agencies, in certain circumstances, to send or have sent, within 36 hours, a copy of a report made pursuant to these provisions to the attorney who represents the child, who is the subject of the report, in dependency court. Existing law requires the agency to maintain a copy of the written report and provide all information requested by the attorney for the child or the child’s guardian ad litem within 30 days of the
request.
This bill would require an employee of those agencies to additionally send a copy of the report to the attorney who represents a parent or legal guardian of the child, as specified. Under the bill, that requirement would not apply to certain individuals, including a parent whose parental rights have been terminated or a parent who is not entitled to reunification services. The bill would require the agency to redact all personal identifying information, as defined, regarding all persons, other than the child, who are identified in the report. If the suspected abuse or neglect occurred in a placement, as provided, the bill would require an employee of the agency to send a copy of the report to all attorneys who represent children with an open dependency case in that placement, subject to specified redaction.
By expanding the duties of local agencies that receive reports alleging abuse or neglect of children, this
bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF