Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2665Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 18, 2022An act to amend Section 4477 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to developmental services. An act to add and repeal Section 324.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare services.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2665, as amended, Carrillo. Developmental centers: advisory boards. Child welfare system: racial disparities.Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine temporary placement of a dependent child. Existing law generally governs the provision of child welfare services, which is defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.This bill would, subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 3-year pilot program on or before July 1, 2023, for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to 5 counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department. The bill would require the department to establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot program. The bill would require a program that receives funding pursuant to these provisions to utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness, as specified.Existing law vests in the State Department of Developmental Services jurisdiction over various state hospitals, referred to as developmental centers, for the provision of care to persons with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires each developmental center to have a developmental center advisory board, and specifies that the boards are advisory to the department and the Legislature, with the power of visitation and advice with respect to, among other things, the conduct of the developmental centers.This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote racial equity and advance practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system. The Legislature finds and declares that families from racial and ethnic minority populations are disparately represented nationwide in the child welfare system. It is further the intent of the Legislature to address the racial disparities in the child welfare system by eliminating bias in the decisionmaking process determining whether children are removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian by utilizing a blind removal strategy.SEC. 2. Section 324.6 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.SECTION 1.Section 4477 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:4477.(a)The advisory boards of the developmental centers are advisory to the State Department of Developmental Services and the Legislature with power of visitation and advice with respect to the conduct of the developmental centers and coordination with community mental health programs or regional programs for persons with developmental disabilities. (b)The members of the boards shall serve without compensation other than necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duty. They shall organize and elect a chairperson. They shall meet at least once every three months and at any other times they are called by the chairperson, by the medical director, by the Director of Developmental Services, or by a majority of the board. No expenses shall be allowed except in connection with those meetings. (c)The advisory board or boards of each developmental center or state hospital and developmental center may make a written report on its activities.
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2665Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 18, 2022An act to amend Section 4477 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to developmental services. An act to add and repeal Section 324.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare services.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2665, as amended, Carrillo. Developmental centers: advisory boards. Child welfare system: racial disparities.Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine temporary placement of a dependent child. Existing law generally governs the provision of child welfare services, which is defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.This bill would, subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 3-year pilot program on or before July 1, 2023, for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to 5 counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department. The bill would require the department to establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot program. The bill would require a program that receives funding pursuant to these provisions to utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness, as specified.Existing law vests in the State Department of Developmental Services jurisdiction over various state hospitals, referred to as developmental centers, for the provision of care to persons with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires each developmental center to have a developmental center advisory board, and specifies that the boards are advisory to the department and the Legislature, with the power of visitation and advice with respect to, among other things, the conduct of the developmental centers.This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2665
Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 18, 2022
Introduced by Assembly Member Carrillo
February 18, 2022
An act to amend Section 4477 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to developmental services. An act to add and repeal Section 324.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare services.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2665, as amended, Carrillo. Developmental centers: advisory boards. Child welfare system: racial disparities.
Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine temporary placement of a dependent child. Existing law generally governs the provision of child welfare services, which is defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.This bill would, subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 3-year pilot program on or before July 1, 2023, for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to 5 counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department. The bill would require the department to establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot program. The bill would require a program that receives funding pursuant to these provisions to utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness, as specified.Existing law vests in the State Department of Developmental Services jurisdiction over various state hospitals, referred to as developmental centers, for the provision of care to persons with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires each developmental center to have a developmental center advisory board, and specifies that the boards are advisory to the department and the Legislature, with the power of visitation and advice with respect to, among other things, the conduct of the developmental centers.This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine temporary placement of a dependent child. Existing law generally governs the provision of child welfare services, which is defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.
This bill would, subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 3-year pilot program on or before July 1, 2023, for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to 5 counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department. The bill would require the department to establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot program. The bill would require a program that receives funding pursuant to these provisions to utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness, as specified.
Existing law vests in the State Department of Developmental Services jurisdiction over various state hospitals, referred to as developmental centers, for the provision of care to persons with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires each developmental center to have a developmental center advisory board, and specifies that the boards are advisory to the department and the Legislature, with the power of visitation and advice with respect to, among other things, the conduct of the developmental centers.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote racial equity and advance practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system. The Legislature finds and declares that families from racial and ethnic minority populations are disparately represented nationwide in the child welfare system. It is further the intent of the Legislature to address the racial disparities in the child welfare system by eliminating bias in the decisionmaking process determining whether children are removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian by utilizing a blind removal strategy.SEC. 2. Section 324.6 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.SECTION 1.Section 4477 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:4477.(a)The advisory boards of the developmental centers are advisory to the State Department of Developmental Services and the Legislature with power of visitation and advice with respect to the conduct of the developmental centers and coordination with community mental health programs or regional programs for persons with developmental disabilities. (b)The members of the boards shall serve without compensation other than necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duty. They shall organize and elect a chairperson. They shall meet at least once every three months and at any other times they are called by the chairperson, by the medical director, by the Director of Developmental Services, or by a majority of the board. No expenses shall be allowed except in connection with those meetings. (c)The advisory board or boards of each developmental center or state hospital and developmental center may make a written report on its activities.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote racial equity and advance practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system. The Legislature finds and declares that families from racial and ethnic minority populations are disparately represented nationwide in the child welfare system. It is further the intent of the Legislature to address the racial disparities in the child welfare system by eliminating bias in the decisionmaking process determining whether children are removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian by utilizing a blind removal strategy.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote racial equity and advance practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system. The Legislature finds and declares that families from racial and ethnic minority populations are disparately represented nationwide in the child welfare system. It is further the intent of the Legislature to address the racial disparities in the child welfare system by eliminating bias in the decisionmaking process determining whether children are removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian by utilizing a blind removal strategy.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote racial equity and advance practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system. The Legislature finds and declares that families from racial and ethnic minority populations are disparately represented nationwide in the child welfare system. It is further the intent of the Legislature to address the racial disparities in the child welfare system by eliminating bias in the decisionmaking process determining whether children are removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian by utilizing a blind removal strategy.
### SECTION 1.
SEC. 2. Section 324.6 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2. Section 324.6 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.(B) The gender of the childs parents.(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.(F) The income of the childs parents.(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
324.6. (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the State Department of Social Services shall establish a three-year pilot program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in up to five counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California. In selecting the pilot counties, the department shall promote diversity among the participating counties in terms of size and geographic location. The counties shall include, at a minimum, one county in southern California, one county in northern California, and one county in a rural area of the state.
(2) The department shall, in consultation with county child welfare agencies and other stakeholders, as appropriate, establish a working group to develop recommendations to the department regarding the development of procedures necessary to implement and evaluate the pilot programs.
(b) (1) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.
(2) A program that receives funding pursuant to this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, a program whereby at any meeting of the county child welfare agency during which the removal of a child from the childs home is discussed, all of the following information shall be redacted from the case file in preparation for the removal decision and may not be referenced:
(A) The name of the child and the childs parents.
(B) The gender of the childs parents.
(C) The race or ethnicity of the child and the childs parents.
(D) The sexual orientation of the childs parents.
(E) The address of the child and the childs parents.
(F) The income of the childs parents.
(3) All redacted identifying information shall be available for all other purposes throughout the local child welfare agencys involvement with the child, including, but not limited to, evaluations, provision of services, and court proceedings.
(4) The blind removal strategy shall not be used in any case involving the emergency removal of a child from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.
(c) (1) County participation in the pilot program is voluntary.
(2) A participating county may implement the pilot for all or a portion of its emergency response program. The county shall not be required to reimburse the state for any expenses incurred as a result of their early exit from the pilot program. The department may continue to implement the pilot program if less than five counties remain in the pilot program after its commencement.
(3) Each county is encouraged, but not required, to take actions in addition to those specified in this section that support the goal of promoting racial equity and advancing practices of equity and inclusion in the child welfare system.
(d) (1) The department shall conduct at least one evaluation of the participating counties pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness after 18 months of implementation and again after three years of implementation, and shall submit the information from the evaluation in a report to the Legislature within six months after those periods of implementation. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring the programs effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed from their parents home.
(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e) For purposes of this section, blind removal strategy means redacting demographic information from the investigative report in order to eliminate implicit bias in the decisionmaking process of determining whether a child should be removed from the physical custody of their parent or guardian.
(f) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section.
(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)The advisory boards of the developmental centers are advisory to the State Department of Developmental Services and the Legislature with power of visitation and advice with respect to the conduct of the developmental centers and coordination with community mental health programs or regional programs for persons with developmental disabilities.
(b)The members of the boards shall serve without compensation other than necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duty. They shall organize and elect a chairperson. They shall meet at least once every three months and at any other times they are called by the chairperson, by the medical director, by the Director of Developmental Services, or by a majority of the board. No expenses shall be allowed except in connection with those meetings.
(c)The advisory board or boards of each developmental center or state hospital and developmental center may make a written report on its activities.