CHILD PROTECTION: CONFIDENTIALITY H.B. 4586 (H-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4586 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Barb Vander Veen
House Committee: Family and Children Services
Senate Committee: Families and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to do the following:
-- Require the Director of the Family Independence Agency (FIA) to release specified information in a child abuse or neglect case in which a child died.
-- Allow a foster care review board to obtain confidential child protection records.
-- Revise the definition of "specified information".
Under the Law, a written report, document, or photograph filed with the FIA, unless made public as specified information, is a confidential record available only to people and entities listed in the Law. The bill would add a foster care review board to the entities that may have access to confidential information.
The Law defines "specified information" as information in a central registry case record that relates specifically to referrals or reports of child abuse or neglect, except certain information specifically excluded. Under the bill, the term would mean information in a children(s protective services (CPS) case record that related specifically to the FIA(s actions in responding to a complaint of child abuse or neglect, subject to the existing exceptions. The bill also would exclude any information not related to the FIA's actions in responding to a report of child abuse or neglect.
MCL 722.622 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 12-2-04
Fiscal Analyst: Constance ColeAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4586/0304