BILL NUMBER: AB 883	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cooley

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 18974) to Chapter
11 of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to child sexual abuse.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 883, as introduced, Cooley. Child sexual abuse: prevention and
intervention programs.
   Existing law authorizes the Office of Child Abuse Prevention to
fund, through allocations provided to local counties, child abuse and
neglect prevention and intervention programs.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to create a
pilot program in each county to fully fund agencies and private or
nonprofit programs that provide child sexual abuse prevention and
intervention services. The bill would provide that public and private
agencies shall be eligible for this funding if specified evidence is
provided and would encourage counties to give priority for funding
to existing programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in child
sexual abuse or prevention. The bill would also make related findings
and declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Children are a precious resource in the state and country.
   (b) Victims of child abuse and neglect are at higher risk for
alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, obesity,
suicide, and other chronic adult health problems.
   (c) Child abuse and neglect costs the United States at least $97.5
billion per year.
   (d) Preventative services and training can significantly reduce
the incidences of child abuse, stabilize families, and contribute to
a reduction in crime.
  SEC. 2.  Article 7 (commencing with Section 18974) is added to
Chapter 11 of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:

      Article 7.  Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Intervention
Programs


   18974.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to fully fund
agencies and private or nonprofit programs that provide child sexual
abuse prevention and intervention services by creating a pilot
program in each county to provide those services.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a minimum of
$70,000 to each county for the pilot program.
   (c) Each county is encouraged to efficiently use these funds by
giving priority to programs currently serving the needs of children
at risk of sexual abuse that have demonstrated effectiveness in child
sexual abuse prevention or intervention.
   18974.1.  Public and private agencies shall be eligible for
funding provided that evidence is submitted as part of the
application for funding to demonstrate broad-based community support.
The evidence shall further demonstrate that the proposed services
are not duplicated in the community, are based on needs of children
at risk, and are supported by a local public agency, including, but
not limited to, one of the following:
   (a) The county welfare department.
   (b) A public law enforcement agency.
   (c) The county probation department.
   (d) The county board of supervisors.
   (e) The county public health department.
   (f) The county mental health department.
   (g) The school district.