Child welfare agencies: missing foster children.

Existing law establishes a system of statewide child welfare services, administered by the State Department of Social Services and county child welfare agencies, with the intent that all children are entitled to be safe and free from abuse and neglect. Under existing law, when a child is placed into foster care on the basis that he or she was abused or neglected, the juvenile court is required to order the county social worker to assume responsibility for the care, custody, and control of the child. This bill would require a county child welfare agency that becomes aware that a child in foster care is missing to report the incident to the police department or sheriff's department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. By imposing this duty on county child welfare agencies, this 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.