House Bill No. 6186, titled "An Act Concerning Medical Records Pertaining to Prenatal Care and Mandated Reports," aims to amend the reporting requirements for mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect. The bill specifically prohibits these reporters from including any medical records related to prenatal care received by the mother of the child in their reports. This change is intended to protect the privacy of the mother while still ensuring that necessary information about the child is reported. The existing requirements for reports, which include details such as the child's name, age, gender, and specifics about the suspected abuse or neglect, remain unchanged.

The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, and does not have any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities. It is important to note that while the bill clarifies the exclusion of prenatal care records, it raises questions about whether mandated reporters can report suspected abuse or neglect of other children in cases where they become aware of such issues during prenatal care. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance the need for child protection with the confidentiality of maternal health information.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
KID Joint Favorable:
File No. 155: