(a) The purpose of the review of local agency records, in a representative sample of California counties, is to obtain outcome information about the status of a sample of the children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers.

(b) Women prisoners who participate in the survey sample of state prisoners shall provide written permission allowing the California Research Bureau access to their children’s records in regard to school performance, identity of the caretaker responsible for the child, child protective services records, public assistance records, juvenile justice records, and medical records including drug or alcohol use, and mental health. The California Research Bureau shall follow appropriate procedures to ensure confidentiality of the records and to protect the privacy of the survey participants and their children.

(c) County agencies, including members of multidisciplinary teams, and school districts shall permit the California Research Bureau to have reasonable access to records, pursuant to subdivision (b), to the extent permitted by federal law.

(d) Notwithstanding § 10850 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the survey required by this section is deemed to meet the research criteria identified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of § 11845.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and subdivision (e) of § 5328 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this study, the research is deemed not to be harmful for the at-risk and vulnerable population of children of women prisoners.

(e) For purposes of the study only, the California Research Bureau is authorized to survey records, reports, and documents described in Section 827 and in paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of § 18986.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and information relative to the incidence of child abuse, as provided by Section 11167, among children in the study sample.

(f) School districts shall permit reasonable access to directory information by the California Research Bureau for purposes of this study. The California Research Bureau is deemed an appropriate organization to conduct studies for legitimate educational interests, including improving instruction, for purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of § 4906 of the Education Code. School variables that the California Research Bureau shall survey shall include, but not be limited to, attendance patterns, truancy rates, achievement level, suspension and expulsion rates, and special education referrals.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 131. (SB 1304) Effective January 1, 2015.)