AB-970
Social Services

Child abuse and neglect reporting.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a two-year pilot program in Los Angeles County to improve child abuse reporting accuracy and equity.
  • Requires mandated reporters to use a new online decision-support tool after completing comprehensive training.
  • Protects participating reporters from legal penalties when following the tool's recommendations.
  • Connects families with community support services when child welfare intervention is not required.

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to test a new model for mandatory reporting of child abuse in Los Angeles County would establish a two-year pilot program centered on an internet-based decision support system for mandated reporters. The program would provide comprehensive training on child abuse reporting requirements and deploy a collaborative decision tool to guide reporting choices, while maintaining reporter confidentiality and prohibiting predictive analysis.

Participating organizations and their mandated reporter employees would access an online system that provides specific recommendations: whether to report to child protective services, consult with the hotline, refer families to community support services, or take no action. Reporters who complete the required training and follow the tool's guidance would satisfy their legal reporting obligations and receive protection from civil and criminal liability. The program aims to address current challenges where reporting decisions may be influenced by liability concerns or demographic factors rather than abuse indicators alone.

The County of Los Angeles would evaluate the pilot's effectiveness through October 2029, tracking usage patterns, referral outcomes, and changes in reporting rates. The assessment must examine implications for potential statewide implementation and incorporate input from stakeholders including the State Department of Social Services and individuals with child welfare system experience. All provisions would sunset on January 1, 2030, allowing policymakers to review results before considering permanent adoption or expansion.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a two-year pilot program in Los Angeles County to improve child abuse reporting accuracy and equity.
  • Requires mandated reporters to use a new online decision-support tool after completing comprehensive training.
  • Protects participating reporters from legal penalties when following the tool's recommendations.
  • Connects families with community support services when child welfare intervention is not required.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to test a new model for mandatory reporting of child abuse in Los Angeles County would establish a two-year pilot program centered on an internet-based decision support system for mandated reporters. The program would provide comprehensive training on child abuse reporting requirements and deploy a collaborative decision tool to guide reporting choices, while maintaining reporter confidentiality and prohibiting predictive analysis.

Participating organizations and their mandated reporter employees would access an online system that provides specific recommendations: whether to report to child protective services, consult with the hotline, refer families to community support services, or take no action. Reporters who complete the required training and follow the tool's guidance would satisfy their legal reporting obligations and receive protection from civil and criminal liability. The program aims to address current challenges where reporting decisions may be influenced by liability concerns or demographic factors rather than abuse indicators alone.

The County of Los Angeles would evaluate the pilot's effectiveness through October 2029, tracking usage patterns, referral outcomes, and changes in reporting rates. The assessment must examine implications for potential statewide implementation and incorporate input from stakeholders including the State Department of Social Services and individuals with child welfare system experience. All provisions would sunset on January 1, 2030, allowing policymakers to review results before considering permanent adoption or expansion.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member