The Child Safety and Custody Compliance Act aims to enhance child welfare by revising definitions related to child abuse and false reporting, while establishing clearer responsibilities for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Child Protection Team investigators. Key amendments include a requirement for DCF to verify parenting plans or court-ordered custody arrangements during investigations involving parents or guardians in separate households. The bill mandates closer scrutiny of anonymous reports of child abuse, removes the presumption of good faith for such reports, and introduces criminal penalties for investigators who fail to perform their duties. Additionally, it expands school responsibilities regarding custody arrangements, ensuring enforcement of parenting plans and verification of custody rights when individuals request to pick up students.

The legislation also addresses issues related to interference with custody, reclassifying such actions as criminal offenses and establishing penalties for individuals who knowingly file false reports of child abuse. It emphasizes shared parental responsibility, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or child abuse, and mandates that courts consider the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for parental rights regarding student health and well-being in schools, prohibits certain classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for younger students, and ensures that the central abuse hotline maintains recordings of calls related to suspected child abuse. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 60 Filed: 39.201, 39.206, 39.301, 61.046, 402.57, 683.23, 741.28, 787.01, 787.03, 827.03, 61.45, 921.0022