AB 177

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law provides that whenever a social worker has cause to believe that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child who has suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm inflicted nonaccidentally upon the child by the child's parent or guardian, or serious physical harm or illness, as a result of the failure or inability of his or her parent or guardian to adequately supervise or protect the child, or the willful or negligent failure of the child's parent or guardian to adequately supervise or protect the child from the conduct of the custodian with whom the child has been left, or by the willful or negligent failure of the parent or guardian to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment, or by the inability of the parent or guardian to provide regular care for the child due to the parent's or guardian's mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse, the social worker shall immediately make any investigation he or she deems necessary to determine whether child welfare services should be offered to the family and whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. This bill would require a social worker investigating a case of child abuse or neglect involving an allegation against the parent or guardian of the child to attempt to determine if the parent or guardian is a member of the military. The bill would provide that if it is determined that the parent or guardian is a member of the military, the social worker would be required to notify the Family Advocacy Program of the Department of Defense that there is an allegation of abuse or neglect that relates to the parent or guardian who is a member of the military. By imposing additional duties on local government entities, 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.