CHILD PROTECTION RECORDS: NO CONFIDENTIALITY UPON DEATH
House Bill 4586
Sponsor: Rep. Barb Vander Veen
Committee: Family and Children Services
Complete to 5-16-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4586 AS INTRODUCED 4-29-03
Under the Child Protection Law, the identity of individuals reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect; written reports, documents, and photographs filed with the Family Independence Agency (FIA) under the act; and reports entered into the child protective services administration (CPSI) system are confidential, unless made public following criteria specified in the act.
House Bill 4586 would specify that an FIA record related to a child who was the subject of a report or record made under to the act would become a public record upon the child's death, and would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. However, the identity of a person reporting a suspected case of abuse or neglect, unless disclosed with the consent of the person or by judicial process, would remain confidential. In addition, any report compiled by a law enforcement agency that pertains to an active investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect would remain confidential.
MCL 722.625 et al.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.