This bill amends Kansas laws concerning the reporting obligations of licensed social workers, particularly in relation to suspected child abuse or neglect. It establishes exceptions to mandatory reporting requirements when social workers are operating under the supervision of an attorney, indicating that they are not required to report suspicions that arise solely during the attorney's representation in various legal matters. The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality in accordance with attorney-client privilege, and violations of these new provisions are classified as class B misdemeanors. Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) and repeals existing sections to align social workers' reporting obligations with legal ethical standards.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the reporting obligations for suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of adults, stating that employees of domestic violence centers and licensed social workers under attorney supervision are not required to report suspicions arising from their professional duties related to legal representation. It mandates that state agencies report suspected abuse to the Kansas Department for Children and Families and law enforcement within specified timeframes, ensuring timely action. The legislation also protects individuals who report suspected abuse from civil liability unless acted in bad faith and prohibits employer retaliation against employees for making reports or cooperating with investigations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the reporting process while safeguarding the confidentiality of sensitive information shared in legal contexts.

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