This bill establishes a referral process for cases involving children of military personnel who are in need of care. It mandates that the Secretary for Children and Families make referrals to military family advocacy programs when a preliminary investigation indicates that a child has a parent or legal guardian who is military personnel. Additionally, the Secretary is required to enter into a memorandum of understanding with military installations in Kansas to facilitate these referrals. The memorandum will outline methods for identifying military families, the referral process, notification requirements when cases are referred to legal authorities, and compliance with confidentiality laws.

The bill amends K.S.A. 38-2230 to include the military status of a child's parent or legal guardian as part of the preliminary inquiry into cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. It also repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 38-2230, streamlining the process to ensure that the interests of children in military families are adequately addressed. The new provisions aim to enhance support for military families facing child welfare issues while ensuring that necessary protective actions can still be taken to safeguard the health and welfare of affected children.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2230