AB 2786

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act requires a mandated reporter, as defined, to make a report to a specified agency whenever the mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. Under existing law, failure to make this report is a crime. Existing law creates the Office of Child Abuse Prevention within the State Department of Social Services. Existing law requires the State Department of Education, in consultation with the office, to develop and disseminate information to specified school entities and school personnel regarding the detection and reporting of child abuse. Existing law also requires the State Department of Education, in consultation with the office, to provide statewide guidance on the responsibilities of mandated reporters who are school personnel, including information on the identification of child abuse and neglect and reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect, in accordance with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. This bill would require the office to develop an appropriate online training module, as specified, to instruct public or private organizations serving youth in the detection of child abuse or neglect, as defined, and the proper action a mandated reporter is required to take in suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, in accordance with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. The bill would require specified employees of a public or private organization serving youth to use the online training module and complete the training upon the start of employment and annually thereafter. The bill would also require specified volunteers of a public or private organization serving youth to use the online training module and complete the training upon the start of every tenure of volunteer service, and annually thereafter if the service extends for a time period greater than one year. The bill would require a public or private organization serving youth to retain proof that an employee or volunteer completed this training for at least 20 years after the date of completion and would make a public or private entity that fails to comply with these requirements liable for a civil penalty of $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for each subsequent violation. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a county counsel authorized by agreement with the district attorney to bring an action to impose this civil penalty.