Social Services Child Care Transparency Bill Passes Senate in Unanimous Vote

A bill that would create more transparency at the Department of Social Services passed the Senate on Wednesday, moving the bill to the Governor’s desk for a final decision.

Senate Bill 1043, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), would specifically require, in the case of an incident involving the use of seclusion or behavioral restraints in a short-term residential therapeutic program, the facility to  provide, within 7 days, a description of the incident, in both oral and written forms, to the person subject to the seclusion or behavioral restraint and, as applicable, to the person’s parent or guardian. The bill, also known as the Accountability in Children’s Treatment Act, would require that the description contain certain information, including the actions taken during the incident and its duration, the rationale for the actions, and the personnel approving and implementing the actions, as well as investigate the report.

In addition, SB 1043 would require the CDSS, by January 1, 2026, to display, on its internet website, data that is specific to short-term residential therapeutic programs. SB 1043 would also require the dashboard to display the above-described data on seclusion or behavioral restraints as applicable to those programs, incidents, and the numbers and types of licensing and administrative actions taken for the improper use of seclusion or behavioral restraints by the short-term residential therapeutic program or an associated individual for the improper use of seclusion or behavioral restraints.

Senator Grove wrote the bill earlier this year because of a long history in California of child abuse in such facilities. SB 1043 also quickly became one of the more highlighted bills of the session thanks to celebrity backing of the bill. Paris Hilton, who experienced short-term residential therapeutic programs when she was younger, spoke frequently in favor of the bill throughout the year, keeping it in the media’s eye, as well as bringing national attention to it.

With the bill garnering so much attention and little to no opposition, SB 1043 sailed through committee and floor votes throughout the year with unanimous votes. This week, both houses gave final votes on the bill before the end of month deadline.

On Monday, the Assembly passed the bill 77-0 with only two Assembly members abstaining.

Then on Wednesday, in the final Senate vote, it went through 39-0, with only one abstention. The quick passage brought praise from both Grove and Hilton on Thursday.

Exciting news—my bill, The Accountability in Children’s Treatment Act, just passed off the Assembly floor and is heading back to the Senate for a final vote.
Thankful for the advocacy of @ParisHilton who has been shining a spotlight on the treatment of children nationwide who…

— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) August 27, 2024

“My bill, Accountability in Children’s Treatment Act, just passed through the Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature,” said Senator Grove in a statement. “The act will promote the highest level of transparency when it comes to using restraints or seclusion rooms on youth in short-term residential therapeutic programs. It has been an honor to work alongside Paris Hilton and 11:11 Media to ensure California’s children are safe and secure in these treatment programs.”

Hilton added in a press release, “I am so proud to see SB 1043 pass through the California legislature and grateful to all the Senators and Assembly members who voted on this bill to protect our youth! For too long, these facilities have operated without adequate oversight, leaving vulnerable youth at risk. I urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 1043 into law, affirming California’s commitment to protecting our youth and setting a national standard for transparency and accountability in these institutions. This bill is a vital step towards ensuring that every child is treated with the care and respect they deserve.”

SB 1043 is due to go to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom next, with most in Sacramento anticipating his signature of approval.

“This is very low cost, has bipartisan support, and overall is a positive bill everyone has gone behind,” explained Capitol staffer “Dana” to the Globe on Thursday. “Newsom is going to need to need some ‘breather’ bills between all the more controversial ones. You know, the easy to support and sign ones. SB 1043 fits that. There’s no real reason to veto it either. It’s barely going to cost anything, his entire party supports it, and even usually contrarian people on issues like this aren’t bashing it. Plus, if he doesn’t, all the celebrity support is going to bash him on social media, which is the last thing he wants.

“He’ll sign it during a time in the coming weeks he wants to have things easily signed off on.”

Newsom is expected to sign or veto the bill soon.