CT HB05040

Expands mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect to include coaches, youth athletics directors, higher education athletic staff, emergency medical services providers, alcohol and drug counselors, marital and family therapists, licensed foster parents, and youth camp directors (effective October 1, 2014)

Requires Commissioner of Children and Families to notify school superintendents and Commissioner of Education within five working days of completing investigations involving suspected child abuse or neglect by school employees, and mandates suspension with pay if reasonable cause is found and registry placement is recommended

Authorizes Department of Children and Families to provide child welfare services to minor children identified as trafficking victims and to provide training to law enforcement regarding trafficking identification and victim services

Adds trafficking victims to definition of "uncared for" children who may be found to require state intervention and allows multidisciplinary teams to review trafficking cases in addition to child abuse and neglect cases

Establishes new disclosure authorities for Department of Children and Families records to include the Court Support Services Division for tracking juvenile offender recidivism and the birth-to-three program for serving substantiated abuse/neglect victims with developmental delays and newborns exposed to prenatal drugs