SB 01043 Summary

• Restructures confidentiality and disclosure provisions for Department of Children and Families records, effective October 1, 2011

• Expands definition of "person" accessing records to include parents whose parental rights have not been terminated, guardians ad litem, and attorneys as authorized representatives

• Establishes mandatory disclosure of records without consent to specified entities including law enforcement, state's attorneys, foster/prospective adoptive parents, judges, and various state agencies for child protection purposes

• Protects confidentiality of child abuse/neglect reporters unless court determines reporter made false report or justice requires disclosure

• Allows individuals to add statements to records disputing factually inaccurate entries and provides judicial remedies for violations of disclosure provisions