BILL NUMBER: AB 2904	CHAPTERED  08/01/08

	CHAPTER  255
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 1, 2008
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 1, 2008
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 10, 2008
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JULY 15, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 2, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 11, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 6, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2008

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hayashi

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2008

   An act to add Section 16502.5 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to county child welfare services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2904, Hayashi. County child welfare services: mortality review.

   Existing law requires counties to establish and maintain
specialized entities within the county welfare department to provide
child welfare services.
   This bill would allow a county board of supervisors to receive and
review certain information relating to the death of a child who had
previously come to the attention of, or was under the supervision of,
the county child welfare agency, as specified.



THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) In order to execute their responsibilities in overseeing the
administration of the child welfare services and foster care
programs, county boards of supervisors have a compelling interest in
accessing case information when a child, who has previously come to
the attention of, or was in the protective custody of, the county
child welfare agency dies.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to clarify that boards of
supervisors may access otherwise confidential case information when a
child who has previously come to the attention of, or was in the
protective custody of, the county welfare agency dies.
  SEC. 2.  Section 16502.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   16502.5.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a county
board of supervisors may receive and review any records in the
custody of the juvenile court or any other involved county agencies
relating to a child who has died and who had previously come to the
attention of, or was under the supervision of, the county child
welfare agency.
   (b) The board may only receive and review the information in
closed session. A board of supervisors in a county with a foster care
population of more than 10,000 may take formal action to permit
individual board members' offices to receive and review the
information for the purpose of determining which cases should be
brought to the attention of the full board in closed session. The
information or records obtained shall be maintained in a manner that
ensures the maximum protection of privacy and confidentiality rights.

   (c) The board or its members and staff may not disclose or release
any information obtained pursuant to subdivision (a), unless
otherwise permitted by state law, and shall be bound by all state and
federal confidentiality laws.