Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge certain children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child has suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm or illness as a result of various types of neglect. Existing law requires, whenever a social worker has cause to believe that there was or is a child within the county who may be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the social worker to immediately make any investigation the social worker deems necessary to determine whether child welfare services should be offered to the family and whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced.

This bill would require the State Department of Social Services to update all regulations, all-county letters, and other instructions relating to the investigation of a minor who may be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to ensure that, when a social worker is investigating an alleged case of child abuse or neglect, a parent’s or guardian’s use or possession of cannabis is treated in the same manner as a parent’s or guardian’s use or possession of alcohol and legally prescribed medication.