Existing law, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, requires a mandated reporter, as defined, to report whenever they, in their professional capacity or within the scope of their employment, have knowledge of or observed a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. Existing law makes it a crime to endanger, neglect, or abandon a child, as specified. Existing law permits a court to adjudge a person a dependant child of the court upon finding that a child has suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm or illness as a result of the failure to inability of the parent or guardian of the child to adequately supervise or protect the child, or by the willful neglect failure of the parent or guardian to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment, as specified. Existing law makes it a crime to endanger, neglect, or abandon a child, as specified.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to the assessment and identification of domestic violence in relation to child welfare investigations.