AB 119: Public social services trailer bill.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, establishes procedures for the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect. The act requires certain professionals, including specified health practitioners and social workers, known as “mandated reporters,” to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to a local law enforcement agency or a county welfare or probation department, as specified.

This bill would exclude from the definition of “mandated reporter” a licensee, administrator, or employee of a community care facility that exclusively serves adults and seniors. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services, through the State Office of Child Abuse Prevention, to, by no later than July 1, 2027, develop, with participation from specified individuals, including, among others, county child welfare agencies, a standardized curriculum for mandated reporters, and to make that training available on an internet website. The bill would, except as provided, require an employer having one or more mandated reporters to encourage completion of the training by their mandated reporters within the first 3 months of the mandated reporter’s employment, or on or before March 1, 2030, whichever is later. By imposing additional duties on counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law establishes the California Child Welfare Council to serve as an advisory board responsible for improving the collaboration and processes of the multiple agencies and the courts that serve the children and youth in the child welfare and foster care systems. Existing law requires the council to monitor and report the extent to which child welfare and foster care programs and the courts are responsive to the needs of children in their joint care.

This bill would require the California Child Welfare Council to establish a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, with specified membership, including, among others, representatives from county agencies, and would state the intent of the Legislature that the committee ensure the transformation of mandated reporting to community supporting continues and disparities in the child welfare system are eliminated. By imposing additional duties on counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The federal Family First Prevention Services Act provides a state with the option to use certain federal funds to provide mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services and in-home parent skill-based programs to a child who is a candidate for foster care or a child in foster care who is a pregnant or parenting foster youth, as specified. Existing state law authorizes a county to elect to provide those prevention services by providing a written plan to the State Department of Social Services, which has oversight of the Family First Prevention Services program. Existing law requires the county to consult with other relevant county agencies, as specified, in the development of the plan.

The bill would require each county’s written plan to include the county’s plans to provide information for mandated reporters regarding resources available to support families in their communities, as specified.

Sponsors

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 13, 2025Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.
2. July 16, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. July 15, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 5.) (July 14).
4. June 27, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
5. June 25, 2025In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
6. April 2, 2025Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
7. March 20, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
8. March 20, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 722.)
9. March 18, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. March 17, 2025Withdrawn from committee.
11. March 17, 2025(Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 643.)
12. March 17, 2025Ordered to second reading.