Department of Justice: child abuse reporting.

Assembly Member Ransom's proposal to enhance child abuse monitoring for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs would establish new notification requirements between the Department of Justice and CASA organizations. The legislation directs the Department to actively monitor the Child Abuse Central Index and alert CASA programs when investigations involving their employees or volunteers are added to the database.

The measure modifies existing background check procedures by creating an ongoing monitoring system. Currently, CASA programs can request criminal history and child abuse records for potential staff and volunteers, but there is no mechanism for tracking new investigations after initial screening. Under the proposed changes, the Department would maintain continuous oversight of the Child Abuse Central Index and issue notifications to CASA programs about relevant additions involving their personnel.

To support implementation of the notification system, the legislation authorizes the Department to adjust its fee structure for CASA background checks. While state-level criminal history searches would remain free of charge, the Department could increase fees for CASA candidates to cover costs associated with ongoing monitoring and notifications. The bill maintains existing requirements that CASA programs request subsequent arrest notifications for all employment and volunteer candidates.