Child abuse or neglect: reporting.

Assembly Member Carrillo's child abuse reporting legislation expands information sharing requirements between child welfare agencies and legal representatives in California's dependency court system, modifying the state's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act to include parents' attorneys among those who must receive abuse reports.

Under the proposed changes, agencies receiving reports of suspected child abuse or neglect must send copies to attorneys representing both the child and their parents or legal guardians within 36 hours, with specific exceptions for cases involving terminated parental rights or parents ineligible for reunification services. The legislation requires agencies to redact personal identifying information for all individuals except the child before sharing reports. When suspected abuse occurs in foster homes, group homes, or other placements, agencies must notify attorneys representing all children with open dependency cases in that facility.

The bill maintains existing notification timelines while adding privacy safeguards through mandatory redaction requirements. Local agencies bear responsibility for implementing these expanded reporting duties, though the legislation specifies that state reimbursement applies only to cost increases stemming from 2011 Realignment Legislation. Any additional services or programs initiated by local agencies beyond state funding levels would not require state subvention under California's constitution.