The bill prohibits a person who possesses records or reports (records) of child abuse or neglect from releasing identifying data or information contained in the records to a person who is not authorized to receive the information or data.
     The bill
clarifies what constitutes identifying data in a record and
includes
an attorney representing a person named in the record and
an assigned designee of
the child

a person
named in a record
who is acting on the person's behalf
as
an
authorized
persons

person
who may have access to child abuse or neglect records if the
attorney or
assigned designee presents a valid release of information signed by an authorized person.
     The bill allows a person named in a record as an alleged abused or neglected child who is in possession of a record in which they are named or, with the person's consent, the person's attorney or guardian ad litem, to disclose and make use of the record, including for the purpose of litigation or to obtain treatment or services.
Except as expressly authorized in law, a criminal defendant may only access records after an in camera review by the court in which the court finds that access to the records is necessary for the resolution of an issue.
     The bill requires each county department of human or social services to establish and submit to the state department of human services a process for current and former clients to obtain access to their case records.
     The bill
repeals the penalties associated with a person who improperly releases or willfully permits or encourages the

makes it a petty offense to
release
of
data or information contained in the records to a person not permitted to access the information.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)