The Social Media Policy

The California Child Abuse Reporting Law

Due to recent negative publicity regarding work with children, the Legislature now has added new section to the California Penal Code. All "child care custodians" employed after 1/ must sign a statement to the effect that he/she has knowledge of the provisions of this new section and will comply with it. The code section is cited below for your review and signature.

Section 11166 of California Penal Code requires any child care custodian, medical practitioner, non-medical practitioner, or employee of the child protective agency who has knowledge of or observed a child in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment whom he or she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of a child abuse to report the known or suspected instance of child abuse to a child protective agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by .telephone and to prepare and scud a written report thereof within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident.

"Child care custodians" include teachers, instructional aides, teacher's aides, teacher's assistants, administrative officers, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, or certificated private schools; administrators of a public or private day camp; licensees, administrators and employers of community care facilities or child day care facilities licensed to care for children; Headstart teachers; licensing workers or licensing evaluators; public assistance workers; employees of a child care institution including, but not limited w, foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities; and social workers or probation officers.

"Medical practitioner" includes physicians and surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, residents, interns, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed nurses, dental hygienists, or any other person who is licensed under Division 2 (commencing With Section 500) of the California Business and Professions Code or emergency medical technicians I or B, paramedics, or other persons certified pursuant to the Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the California Health and Safety Code, or psychological assistants registered pursuant to Section 2913 of the California Business and Professions Code. .

"Non-medical practitioner" includes state or county public health employees who treat minors for venereal disease or any other conditions; coroners; paramedics; marriage, family or child counselors; and religious practitioners who diagnose, examine or treat children.

"Child protective agency" means a police or sheriff's department, a county probation department, or a county welfare department. .

I acknowledge that I have read the above statement and agree to comply with it.

______________________ ____________ Signature Date