BILL NUMBER: AB 1432	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        JANUARY 6, 2014

   An act to add Section 44692 to the Education Code, relating to
school employees.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1432, as introduced, Gatto. School employees: child abuse:
reporting.
   Existing law requires the Office of Child Abuse Prevention to
develop and disseminate information to all school districts and
district school personnel regarding the detection of child abuse.
Existing law, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, requires
mandated reporters, which includes teachers, to make a report if the
person has knowledge of or observes a child whom the person knows or
reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect.
   This bill would require the Department of Education, in
conjunction with the Department of Justice and the Office of Child
Abuse Prevention in the State Department of Social Services, to adopt
a policy on the reporting requirements for child abuse and the
responsibilities of mandated reporters in accordance with the Child
Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. The bill would require school
personnel to annually review these mandated reporting requirements
using an online format, as specified. The bill would require school
personnel to submit proof of completing the review to the applicable
governing board or body of this school district, county office of
education, or charters school within the first 6 weeks of each school
year. By expanding the duties of school districts, county offices of
education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 44692 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   44692.  (a) The Department of Education shall, in consultation
with the Department of Justice and the Office of Child Abuse
Prevention in the State Department of Social Services, adopt a policy
on the reporting requirements for child abuse and the
responsibilities of mandated reporters in accordance with the Child
Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (Article 2.5 (commencing with Section
11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code).
   (b) All school personnel shall annually review the mandated
reporting requirements described in subdivision (a) by using an
online format established by the Department of Education.
   (c) All school personnel shall submit proof of completing the
review required pursuant to subdivision (b) to the applicable
governing board or body of the school district, county office of
education, or charter school within the first six weeks of each
school year.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.