CONFIRM. CASE OF ABUSE; MODIFY S.B. 910:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 910 (as reported without amendment)
Committee: Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to do the following:
-- Add manslaughter, the death of a child, and sexual abuse to the definition of "confirmed serious abuse or neglect".
-- Modify a provision allowing an authorized individual or agency to receive confirmation of a prospective employee's or volunteer's status on the Central Registry if that person will work or volunteer with children to instead specify that the provision would apply to a person who would work or volunteer unsupervised with children.
-- Require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to notify individuals named as perpetrators of child abuse or neglect instead of the current requirement to notify individuals named as perpetrators of confirmed child abuse or neglect.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The Law requires the DHHS to maintain a statewide registry of confirmed serious child abuse or neglect. Employers may request and receive information on whether an individual is on the central registry for positions that the employee or volunteer will have contact with children. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety, the current definition of "confirmed serious child abuse or neglect" does not encompass the range of abuse or neglect cases the DHHS encounters. Accordingly, it has been suggested to expand the definition to protect more children and ensure violators are included on the registry.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 12-4-24 Fiscal Analyst: Humphrey Akujobi
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.