Dependent children: health screenings.

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent 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 illness as a result of the failure or inability of their parent or guardian to adequately supervise or protect the child. Existing law authorizes a peace officer, probation officer, or social worker, without a warrant, to take a minor into temporary custody for various reasons, including when the child has been declared a dependent of the juvenile court or there is reasonable cause to believe the minor comes within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Existing law permits a social worker or the juvenile court to authorize the performance of medical, surgical, dental, or other remedial care needed by a child who is in temporary custody, who is a dependent of the juvenile court and placed under the supervision of a social worker, or for whom a dependency petition has been filed after notifying the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis of the child. This bill would additionally permit, in the absence of a standing court order, a social worker to authorize a noninvasive initial medical, dental, and mental health screening of a child in temporary custody. The bill would require the social worker to make reasonable attempts to notify the parent that the child will be undergoing a screening and to provide the parent with a reasonable opportunity to object. The bill would provide that if the parent objects, the screening may be conducted only upon the order of the court. The bill would also add mental health care, as defined, to the medical and dental care that may be authorized for a child who is in temporary custody, who is a dependent of the juvenile court and placed under the supervision of a social worker, or for whom a dependency petition has been filed.