§ 10605.5. — 10605.5. (Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 768, Sec. 2.)

(a)
(1)
The department, in consultation with counties and labor organizations, shall establish, no later than January 1, 2016, a process to receive voluntary disclosures from social workers, if a social worker has reasonable cause to believe that a policy, procedure, or practice, related to the provision of child welfare services by a county child welfare agency, meets any of the following conditions:
(A)
Endangers the
health or well-being of a child or children.
(B)
Is contrary to existing statute or regulation.
(C)
Is contrary to public policy.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall not disclose to any person or entity the identity of a social worker making a disclosure described in paragraph (1), unless (A) the social worker has consented to the disclosure or (B) there is an immediate risk to the health and safety of a child.
(b)
The department shall make available a description of the process established pursuant to subdivision (a) to counties and labor organizations.
(c)
For purposes of this section, “county child welfare agency” includes a county welfare department, child welfare department, and any other county agency that employs social workers and is responsible
for the placement and supervision of children and youth in foster care, including department social workers contracted by counties to perform direct adoption services.
(d)
(1)
No later than January 1, 2018, the department shall report to the Legislature only the following information:
(A)
The total number of relevant disclosures received from social workers, including the month and year the disclosure was received.
(B)
A summary description of both of the following:
(i)
The issues raised in the disclosures received from a social worker.
(ii)
The actions taken by the department in response to the disclosures.
(2)
No later than January 1, 2018, the department shall post on its Internet Web site the information described in paragraph (1).
(3)
The report required pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 768, Sec. 2. (AB 1978) Effective January 1, 2015.