BILL NUMBER: SB 478 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Huff (Coauthor: Assembly Member Chang) FEBRUARY 26, 2015 An act to add and repeal Section 11166.02 of the Penal Code, and to add and repeal Section 10612.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child abuse. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 478, as introduced, Huff. Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act: mandated reporters: pilot program. 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. Existing law further requires the mandated reporter to make an initial report by telephone to the agency immediately or as soon as is practicably possible, and to prepare and send, fax, or electronically transmit a written followup report within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident. This bill, until January 1, 2021, would authorize certain county welfare agencies to develop a pilot program for Internet-based reporting of child abuse and neglect, as specified. The bill would also require the State Department of Social Services to consult with the County Welfare Directors Association and the county welfare agencies of the individual counties to determine which counties may be involved in the pilot program. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 11166.02 is added to the Penal Code, to read: 11166.02. (a) A county welfare agency, as determined in Section 10612.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, may develop a pilot program for Internet-based reporting of child abuse and neglect. The pilot program may operate in a specific region to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and shall meet all of the following conditions: (1) The suspected child abuse or neglect does not indicate that the child is subject to an immediate risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation or that the child is in imminent danger of severe harm or death. (2) The agency provides an Internet form that includes qualifying questions in order to obtain necessary information required to assess the need for child welfare services and a response. (3) The mandated reporter is required to complete all required fields, including identity and contact information of the mandated reporter, in order to submit the report. (4) The mandated reporter is required to cooperate with any requests by the agency for additional information, if needed, to investigate the report. (5) The system can only be used by mandated reporters who are any of the following: (A) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2. (B) A probation officer. (C) A school teacher, counselor, or administrator. (D) A physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed nurse, marriage and family therapist, or clinical social worker licensed pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code. (E) A coroner. (b) In an area where the pilot program is active, a mandated reporter listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) may use the Internet-based reporting tool in lieu of or in addition to the required initial telephone report required by subdivision (a) of Section 11166. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2. Section 10612.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 10612.5. (a) The department shall consult with the County Welfare Directors Association and any interested county welfare agencies to determine which counties may be involved in the pilot program established pursuant to Section 11166.02 of the Penal Code. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date.