Child abuse: mandated reporters: talent agents, managers, and coaches.

Assembly Members Lackey and Blanca Rubio seek to expand California's child abuse reporting requirements by designating talent agents, managers, and coaches who work with minors as mandated reporters under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. The legislation, known as the Child Abuse Mandated Entertainment Reporter Act (CAMERA), adds these entertainment industry professionals to the existing list of individuals legally required to report known or suspected child abuse.

Under current law, mandated reporters must notify authorities when they observe signs of potential child abuse or neglect in their professional capacity. Failure to report constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill maintains these penalties while extending reporting obligations to talent industry professionals who provide services to minors.

The measure aligns with existing training provisions that encourage employers to educate mandated reporters about identifying and reporting child abuse. While the absence of training does not excuse reporting duties, the law continues to promote professional development through online courses offered by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention. The bill coordinates with two related Senate measures through conditional implementation provisions that determine which version takes effect based on the timing and sequence of enactment.

Local agencies may incur costs from implementing the expanded reporting requirements, but the bill specifies that state reimbursement is not required since the changes involve modifications to criminal statutes. The provisions will take effect by January 2026, contingent on the status of the companion Senate legislation.