(a)
To the extent resources are available, the court shall implement procedures, as described in this section, to ensure that every guardian annually completes and returns to the court a status report, including the statement described in subdivision (b). A guardian who willfully submits any material information required by the form which he or she knows to be false shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Not later than one month prior to the date the status report is required to be returned, the clerk of the court shall mail to the guardian by first-class mail a notice informing the guardian that he or she is required to complete and return the status report to the court. The clerk shall enclose with the letter a blank status report form for the guardian to complete and return by mail. If the status report is not completed and returned as required, or if the court finds, after a status report has been completed and returned, that further information is needed, the court shall attempt to obtain the information required in the report from the guardian or other sources. If the court is unable to obtain this information within 30 days after the date the status report is due, the court shall either order the guardian to make himself or herself available to the investigator for purposes of investigation of the guardianship, or to show cause why the guardian should not be removed.
(b)
The Judicial Council shall develop a form for the status report. The form shall include the following statement: “A guardian who willfully submits any material information required by this form which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor.” The form shall request information the Judicial Council deems necessary to determine the status of the guardianship, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)
The guardian’s present address.
(2)
The name and birth date of the child under guardianship.
(3)
The name of the school in which the child is enrolled, if any.
(4)
If the child is not in the guardian’s home, the name, relationship, address, and telephone number of the person or persons with whom the child resides.
(5)
If the child is not in the guardian’s home, why the child was moved.
(c)
The report authorized by this section is confidential and shall only be made available to persons who have been served in the proceedings or their attorneys. The clerk of the court shall implement procedures for the limitation of the report exclusively to persons entitled to its receipt.
(d)
The Judicial Council shall report to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2004, regarding the costs and benefits of utilizing the annual status report.