Plain English Breakdown
The official text confirms the change from 'may' to 'must' for securing care but does not specify an effective date.
Clarifying Rules for Social Workers in Child Welfare
This law clarifies that county child welfare social workers are not considered 'officers' under record-keeping crime laws and requires them to secure emergency medical care when a dependent child needs immediate treatment.
What This Bill Does
- It states that for crimes involving court records, a social worker employed by a county child welfare department is not an officer.
- This change means the punishment rules for damaging or altering records apply differently to these workers than they do to officers.
- The bill requires social workers to secure emergency medical care if it reasonably appears a dependent child needs immediate treatment.
- It changes current law that only allows, but does not require, social workers to authorize such care without a court order.
Who It Names or Affects
- Social workers employed by county child welfare departments
- Minor children who are adjudged as dependent or have petitions filed against them
Terms To Know
- Officer
- A person with official authority who faces stricter penalties for crimes involving court records.
- Dependent child of the court
- A minor child that the juvenile court has decided needs protection and care, or a petition to make them dependent is filed.
- State-mandated local program
- A new duty required by state law that increases costs for counties, which may require state reimbursement if determined by the Commission on State Mandates.
Limits and Unknowns
- Reimbursement to local agencies only happens if the Commission on State Mandates determines there are actual costs mandated by the state.
- The bill does not specify an exact effective date in this summary text.