CA AB656

State Department of Social Services shall establish a 3-year pilot program in at least 5 voluntary counties to address racial disparities in child welfare removal decisions.

Participating counties must use "blind removal strategy" by redacting identifying information (name, race, ethnicity, address, income, prior unsubstantiated investigations, etc.) from case files during removal decisions.

Redacted identifying information remains available for other purposes including evaluations, services provision, and court proceedings.

Department must evaluate pilot program effectiveness after three years and submit report to Legislature, including monitoring impact on removal rates of Black, Native American, and Latinx children.

Program requires annual Budget Act appropriation and sunsets January 1, 2026.