CA AB3103

Social workers may authorize noninvasive initial medical, dental, and mental health screenings for children taken into temporary custody, prior to detention hearings, to identify urgent health needs and determine appropriate placements.

Social workers must make reasonable attempts to notify parents that their child will undergo screening and provide opportunity to object; if parent objects, screening requires court order.

Noninvasive screenings are limited to health history review, standard review of systems, measurements of height/weight/head circumference, vital signs, and physical examination by physician or pediatric nurse practitioner.

Mental health care is added to the types of medical, surgical, and dental care that social workers may authorize for children in temporary custody or dependent children under court supervision.

Social workers must notify parents before authorizing care and obtain court order if parent objects; emergency care may be provided without prior authorization when immediate treatment is necessary to prevent serious disability or death.