HB 2239 Summary

• Establishes immunity from civil or criminal liability for persons reporting child abuse or neglect, except for those filing false reports in bad faith or with ill intent.

• Requires hotline workers and case workers to receive preliminary evaluation by the division if a child dies or is seriously injured after a report is made, with assessment completed within three days of death if required.

• Creates a review process when three or more calls about the same child are made within 72 hours to determine if calls meet criteria for child abuse and neglect reports and whether the calls constitute harassment.

• Mandates that callers to the child abuse and neglect hotline be instructed to call 911 if a child may be in immediate danger.

• Requires alleged perpetrators to be provided written material about their rights during investigations, with reasonable time (not exceeding five minutes) to read it before visits commence, except when child faces immediate danger.