MI HB5198

Allows department employees, labor union representatives, arbitrators, and administrative law judges to access confidential child abuse and neglect records for use in disciplinary proceedings involving department employee misconduct without requiring a court order.

Requires information disclosed for disciplinary actions to be returned within 10 days after the conclusion of the proceeding, with recipients barred from receiving further disclosures if they retain information beyond this deadline.

Maintains confidentiality protections by limiting disclosure to information necessary for disciplinary actions and restricting further dissemination of the records.

Applies to cases involving alleged dereliction, malfeasance, or misfeasance of duty by department employees in child protective services.