OR HB3005

Department of Human Services must expunge child abuse records upon request if the suspected abuse involved only neglect, was closed at screening or found unfounded/undetermined, at least 7 years have passed, and the person has no subsequent abuse reports

Founded child abuse records may be expunged after a hearing if the abuse did not involve sexual abuse/exploitation or child fatality, the child has turned 18 or 7 years have passed, no subsequent reports exist, the abused child receives notice, and a hearings officer finds no just cause to deny

Upon expunction, DHS must remove records from its database and notify other public bodies including the Department of Early Learning and Care and law enforcement agencies

Public bodies receiving expunction notices must not disclose the records and must respond to inquiries by stating no record exists; the Central Background Registry must remove any references

Becomes operative January 1, 2026, and applies retroactively to records and abuse reports created before or after the effective date