CA AB1544

Police and sheriff's departments may forward substantiated child abuse or severe neglect reports to the Department of Justice for listing on the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) for cases reported on or after January 1, 2024.

Police and sheriff's departments that submit reports to CACI must adopt notification procedures to inform reported persons within five business days and provide grievance procedures for challenging listings.

The Department of Justice must create a grievance procedure allowing persons to request hearings within 30 calendar days of notification, with hearings held within 60 calendar days, and must render written decisions within 30 calendar days of hearing completion.

Grievance hearings include requirements for evidence disclosure 10 days prior, witness lists exchange, audio recording of proceedings, and provisions for child witnesses with protections for their safety and well-being.

The entity submitting the report bears expenses for the grievance hearing, and persons may challenge determinations through judicial review with administrative records kept confidential.