Child custody proceedings: finding of sexual abuse.

Existing law authorizes a court to request the local child welfare services agency to conduct an investigation of allegations of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, made during a child custody proceeding. Existing law requires a social worker to investigate these court-referred allegations of child abuse to the same extent as any other child abuse allegations, including interviewing a child 4 years of age or older under specific circumstances. Existing law requires the local child welfare services agency, upon completion of the investigation, to report its findings to the court. This bill would require a court to request the local child welfare services agency to conduct an investigation of allegations of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, made during a child custody proceeding, when the court determines that it cannot protect the child from future child abuse, either through custody or protective orders. This bill would require the local welfare agency, upon completion of the investigation, to report its findings to the court. By requiring a local child welfare services agency to conduct an investigation under these additional circumstances, 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 the statutory provisions noted above.