Child abuse and neglect reporting.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify what happens after the two-year period ends in October 2028.

Child Abuse Reporting Pilot Program in Los Angeles

AB-970 creates a two-year pilot program starting January 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028, in Los Angeles County to test new methods for reporting child abuse and neglect.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a two-year pilot program starting January 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028, in Los Angeles County to test new ways of reporting child abuse or neglect.
• Requires the development and deployment of an internet-based decision-support tool for mandated reporters who complete training. This tool will help decide whether a report should be made but cannot use predictive analysis.
• Protects mandated reporters from civil liability, criminal penalties, and professional license impacts if they follow the new reporting procedures during the pilot program.

Who It Names or Affects

• Mandated reporters in Los Angeles County who are required to report child abuse or neglect.
• County welfare agencies and social services departments involved in the pilot program.

Terms To Know

mandated reporter

A professional, such as a doctor or social worker, who is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

decision-support tool

An internet-based program that helps mandated reporters decide whether they should report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Limits and Unknowns

• The pilot program only applies to Los Angeles County.
• It is unclear how effective the decision-support tool will be in helping reporters make accurate decisions.

Official Summary Text

AB 970, as amended, McKinnor.
Child abuse and neglect reporting.
Existing law, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, establishes procedures for the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect. The act requires certain professionals, including specified health practitioners and social workers, known as “mandated reporters,” to report by telephone known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to a local law enforcement agency or a county welfare or probation department, as specified.
Existing law authorizes a county welfare agency to develop a program for internet-based reporting of child abuse and neglect, as specified. Existing law authorizes a mandated reporter in a county where the program is active to use the internet-based reporting tool in lieu of the required initial telephone report.
This bill would authorize the County of Los
Angeles to establish a
2-year
pilot program
beginning January 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028,
to test a new model for the mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect. The bill would require the pilot program to include a comprehensive County of Los Angeles mandated reporter training that may be made available to all mandated reporters in the county. The bill would require the pilot program to also include
an internet-based, or other type of, decision support tool
the development and deployment of an internet-based decision-support tool, developed through a collaborative process with, among others, the State Department of Social Services,
for mandated reporters who have completed that training. The bill would require the
decision support
decision-support
tool to, among other things, make a recommendation on whether or not to
report.
report and would prohibit the decision-support tool from using predictive analysis.
The bill would, during the time the pilot program is in effect, deem a mandated reporter to have satisfied their reporting duties if the reporter completed the training, used the
decision support
decision-support
tool, and complied with the recommended action. The bill would shield a mandated reporter who satisfied their reporting duties pursuant to these provisions from civil liability or criminal penalty, and from
penalties impacting their professional licenses, credentials, and certifications, for failing to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect, as well as the reporter’s supervisor, employer, superior, or principal, as specified. The bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2030.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Los Angeles.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF