CA SB909

Social workers may authorize noninvasive initial medical, dental, and mental health screenings for children in temporary custody without parental consent or court order, in the absence of a standing court order.

Social workers must make reasonable attempts to notify parents that a screening will occur and provide a reasonable opportunity to object; if parents object, screening requires court order.

Noninvasive screenings are limited to health history review, systems review, measurements of height/weight/head circumference, vital signs, and physical examination without removal of undergarments for children over three years old.

Adds mental health care to the types of medical and dental care that social workers may authorize for children in temporary custody or for whom dependency petitions have been filed.

Establishes legislative findings that children entering foster care have poor health with chronic and acute conditions, and initial health screenings will improve their outcomes.