Child abuse: reporting.

Assembly Member Jackson's child welfare legislation requires California's Department of Social Services to develop standardized training for mandated reporters by July 2027, addressing historical inequities in the child abuse reporting system. The curriculum must cover the evolution of reporting laws, identification guidelines for neglect and abuse, and strategies to recognize and mitigate bias that has led to disproportionate impacts on Black, Indigenous and Latino families.

The bill establishes a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee through the California Child Welfare Council to guide the transformation of reporting practices toward community-based support. Committee membership includes county agencies, labor organizations, community groups, and families directly affected by the child welfare system. Counties providing prevention services must detail plans for connecting mandated reporters with local family support resources.

Employers with mandated reporters must ensure staff complete the new training within three months of hiring or by March 2030, whichever comes later, with documentation maintained for verification. The requirements exempt volunteers who supervise children and reporters already receiving similar training under other laws. The Departments of Social Services and Health Care Services must provide quarterly updates to legislative budget committees on implementing the changes and maximizing federal funding streams.

The legislation modifies county response protocols, requiring 24-hour systems while allowing risk-based evaluation to determine when in-person responses are needed. It maintains existing protections requiring immediate social worker response in emergencies. The changes aim to balance child safety with family preservation through increased emphasis on preventive services and community resources.