Bill > AB970

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Los Angeles County to improve child abuse and neglect reporting by creating a comprehensive mandated reporter training and a decision-support tool. The program aims to help mandated reporters (such as healthcare workers and social workers) make more accurate, consistent, and equitable decisions about reporting potential child abuse by providing them with enhanced training that addresses cognitive biases, racial disproportionality in the child welfare system, and nuanced guidance. The decision-support tool will recommend whether to report to child protective services, consult with them, connect a family to community-based services, or take no action, without using predictive analysis. Mandated reporters who complete the training, use the tool, and follow its recommendations will be shielded from civil liability, criminal penalties, and professional licensing consequences. The County of Los Angeles will be required to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program and report its findings to the Legislature by October 31, 2029, including detailed data on tool usage, referrals, and potential broader implementation. The pilot program will run from January 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028, and will automatically expire on January 1, 2030.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB970