Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge children to be dependents 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 a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law establishes the grounds for removal of a dependent child from the custody of their parents or guardian, and establishes procedures to determine temporary placement of a dependent child. Existing law generally governs the provision of child welfare services, which is defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.

This bill would, subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act and until January 1, 2024, Act, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 3-year pilot project program for the purpose of addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system in an unspecified number of counties that elect to participate. at least 5 counties, which shall be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program according to criteria developed by the department. The bill would require a program that receives funding pursuant to these provisions to utilize a blind removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from their parents’ home, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot programs and their impact and effectiveness, including, but not be limited to, monitoring the program’s effect on the rate of Black, Native American, and Latinx children who were removed.