California Governor signs Gabriel’s Law to protect children

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly 2304, known as “Gabriel’s Law,” into law. The legislation, which takes effect immediately, aims to increase protections for children within the state’s social welfare system.

Under the new law, social workers employed by county child welfare departments who knowingly falsify or alter documents in a case can face felony imprisonment. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Tom Lackey, who sought its passage over several years.

The legislation was prompted by the case of Gabriel Fernandez, a child who was tortured and killed by his mother and her boyfriend. Lackey noted that the law addresses two critical failures identified in that tragedy: the requirement for mandated reporters and officials to take immediate steps to secure emergency medical care for those in urgent need, and the necessity of holding government employees accountable for manipulating or falsifying records.