Bill > AB741

This bill amends existing law regarding background checks and reporting for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, which are local court-appointed volunteer programs that support children in the child welfare system. The bill requires CASA programs to submit fingerprint images and related information for employment and volunteer candidates to the Department of Justice to conduct state and federal criminal history background checks. It mandates that the department monitor the Child Abuse Central Index and notify the CASA program if a record of a child abuse investigation involving a CASA employee or volunteer is added to the index. The bill also establishes new notification and review requirements, requiring CASA programs to verify employee and volunteer status at least every six months and to immediately notify the department when an individual is no longer with the program. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Justice to charge a fee to cover the cost of processing subsequent notifications related to child abuse investigations. The legislation ensures that only one CASA program will be designated per California county and provides a mechanism for more comprehensive background screening and ongoing monitoring of individuals working with vulnerable children.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB741