MI HB5641

Department maintains statewide electronic central registry of child abuse and neglect reports, with access limited to specified entities including child protective agencies, law enforcement, physicians, courts, and researchers.

Persons named as perpetrators in central registry records must receive written notice by certified mail within 30 days of classification, informing them of rights to request expunction and that records may be released under section 7d.

Persons subject to reports may request a hearing within 90 days to amend or expunge records; department must hold hearing before hearing officer using preponderance of evidence standard to determine if records should be amended or expunged.

Records with evidence of abuse or neglect must be maintained in central registry for 10 years for perpetrators in categories I or II, or indefinitely if circumstances involve serious crimes listed in sections 17(1) or 18(1), until department receives reliable information that perpetrator is deceased.

Department must report to legislature within 4 months for specified periods regarding category III cases, including numbers of cases closed, reclassified to higher categories, and those that resulted in removals after reclassification.