BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A new California law inspired by the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez is prompting child welfare agencies across the state, including in Kern County, to review how they handle investigations and emergency medical care for children.
Fernandez, a Palmdale boy, died in 2013 after months of severe abuse. His death drew scrutiny of the child welfare system after multiple concerns about his safety were reported.
ST. HELENA ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 3: Potential 2028 presidential candidate, California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an event held by the state Democratic Party at the Penn Center on September 3, 2026 on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Newsom is touring the state aiming to rally Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections. South Carolina is the first primary state in the 2028 presidential election. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2304, creating new requirements for child welfare workers statewide, including how they document cases and secure emergency medical care. In Kern County, the Department of Human Services said it is reviewing its policies and procedures to meet those requirements.
Licensed clinical social worker Nicol Stolar-Peterson said AB 2304 changes responsibilities for county child-welfare social workers in two main areas: child-welfare records and emergency medical care.
“It’s always important whenever we’re looking at child welfare systems and child protection to be able to get children the care that they need as soon as possible,” Stolar-Peterson said.
KERN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
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On documentation, Stolar-Peterson emphasized the importance of accurate records. “Making sure that the records reflect the truthfulness and the accuracy of the investigation or of the injury or the conversation, any of that information,” she said.
Stolar-Peterson said how the law is applied locally will depend on existing county child welfare systems and how counties communicate and train staff on the changes. “So that typically goes out fairly quickly and then it will be important for each county, each separate county to make sure that they have provided notification to their workers and if they need additional training that that’s also offered,” she said.
Kern County Human Services said that under its current protocols, children who require emergency medical attention would be taken for emergency care by the child’s parent or guardian, depending on the family’s circumstances. If there is no parental consent and there is appropriate time, the county said a court order is sought.
The Kern County Department of Human Services building in Bakersfield, Calif., is seen Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. (KBAK/KBFX photo/Carol Ferguson)
Stolar-Peterson said clearer guidance can help social workers navigate those situations. “Anytime that is a little bit easier to understand, a little bit clearer, a little bit more understandable than that’s always going to be helpful,” she said.
The county said supervisors regularly review cases to ensure compliance with policy and laws and provide feedback to social workers. Kern County also said it expects new reporting, documentation, training and oversight requirements because of AB 2304, but further clarification is expected from the California Department of Social Services.