SB539 Summary

• Codifies new section 404.1a of Title 10 establishing procedures for Department of Human Services to receive and process complaints about licensed child care facilities

• Requires Department to solicit information from complainants to determine if alleged actions pose serious risk to children's safety, encourage identity disclosure, and inform complainants that anonymous complaints will not be investigated

• Permits complainants to elect whether their identity remains confidential until investigation completion or indefinitely; if indefinite confidentiality is chosen, Department cannot use complaint information to substantiate violations without independent corroboration

• For anonymous complaints or complaints about events occurring more than six weeks prior, Department must refer to appropriate agencies if serious safety risk is indicated but cannot investigate or substantiate; may only inform licensee during annual inspection

• Effective date is November 1, 2015