2009 California Family Code - Section 7850-7852 :: Article 3. Investigation And Report

7850.  Upon the filing of a petition under Section 7841, the clerk
of the court shall, in accordance with the direction of the court,
immediately notify the juvenile probation officer, qualified court
investigator, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and
family therapist, or the county department designated by the board of
supervisors to administer the public social services program, who
shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the child and the
circumstances which are alleged to bring the child within any of the
provisions of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 7820).

7851.  (a) The juvenile probation officer, qualified court
investigator, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and
family therapist, or the county department shall render to the court
a written report of the investigation with a recommendation of the
proper disposition to be made in the proceeding in the best interest
of the child.
   (b) The report shall include all of the following:
   (1) A statement that the person making the report explained to the
child the nature of the proceeding to end parental custody and
control.
   (2) A statement of the child's feelings and thoughts concerning
the pending proceeding.
   (3) A statement of the child's attitude towards the child's parent
or parents and particularly whether or not the child would prefer
living with his or her parent or parents.
   (4) A statement that the child was informed of the child's right
to attend the hearing on the petition and the child's feelings
concerning attending the hearing.
   (c) If the age, or the physical, emotional, or other condition of
the child precludes the child's meaningful response to the
explanations, inquiries, and information required by subdivision (b),
a description of the condition shall satisfy the requirement of that
subdivision.
   (d) The court shall receive the report in evidence and shall read
and consider its contents in rendering the court's judgment.

7851.5.  The petitioner shall be liable for all reasonable costs
incurred in connection with the termination of parental rights,
including, but not limited to, costs incurred for the investigation
required by this article. However, public agencies and nonprofit
organizations are exempt from payment of the costs of the
investigation. The liability of a petitioner for costs under this
section shall not exceed nine hundred dollars ($900). The court may
defer, waive, or reduce the costs when the payment would cause an
economic hardship which would be detrimental to the welfare of the
child.

7852.  "Qualified court investigator," as used in this article, has
the meaning provided by Section 8543.