California Law Adds Penalties For Child Welfare Workers Who Falsify Records

California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Assembly Bill 2304, known as Gabriel’s Law, on September 20, 2026, clarifying that county child welfare social workers are subject to existing penalties for destroying, removing, altering, or falsifying public records. The law also requires social workers to take reasonable steps to obtain emergency medical or dental care for children in protective custody and clarifies when they can arrange that care without a court order. Effective January 1, 2027, the legislation makes social workers subject to penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, imprisonment, or both for public records violations.

The legislation clarifies . . .