The bill amends Kansas laws to create an exception for licensed social workers regarding their mandatory reporting obligations when they are supervised by an attorney. Specifically, it allows these social workers to refrain from reporting suspected child abuse or neglect if the suspicion arises solely during the attorney's representation in various legal matters. The bill also clarifies that attorneys can require social workers to maintain confidentiality in line with their ethical obligations, thereby aligning the social workers' reporting duties with the attorney-client privilege.

Additionally, the bill outlines that employees of domestic violence centers are not required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of adults, and it establishes a clear process for reporting to the Kansas Department for Children and Families and law enforcement. It includes protections for individuals who report suspected abuse, ensuring they are not subject to civil liability or employment sanctions. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of communications between social workers and clients under attorney supervision and repeals several existing statutes to streamline the legal framework surrounding the protection of vulnerable adults.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2223, 38-2224, 39-1402, 39-1403, 39-1431, 39-2001, 39-1432, 65-6315