HB 3135 Summary

• Department of Human Services must investigate child care facility complaints following specific procedures, including supervisor review for credibility and non-anonymous status before proceeding with investigations.

• Complainants may choose to remain anonymous, temporarily confidential (identity disclosed after investigation), or indefinitely confidential (identity never disclosed); indefinite confidentiality requires Department to independently corroborate allegations before substantiating violations.

• Department must collect specific complaint information including facility details, complainant identity and relationship to facility, source of information, and detailed allegations with dates, times, and witnesses involved.

• Unsubstantiated complaints must be kept confidential and removed from public databases; Department has no authority over facility operational policies, curriculum, payment terms, or parent interviews unless serious risk of harm to children exists.

• Giving false information to the Department with intent to change licensing status is a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $200; all complaint calls recorded and retained for 90 days; act effective November 1, 2016.