The bill amends the Public Health Code to enhance the processes surrounding child abuse and neglect investigations and the practice of counseling. It updates terminology by replacing "family independence agency" with "department of health and human services" and clarifies the responsibilities of caseworkers in notifying relevant parties about ongoing investigations. The bill also establishes that certain privileges, such as physician-patient and psychologist-patient privileges, do not apply to medical records released during these investigations, while providing immunity from civil or administrative liability for individuals who, in good faith, grant access to these records.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for the licensure of professional counselors, particularly for those seeking relicensure from other states. It mandates that the licensing agency verify the absence of pending disciplinary proceedings against applicants and ensures that any sanctions imposed are not active at the time of application. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of communications between licensed professional counselors and their clients, stating that such communications are privileged and only need to be disclosed if required by law or with the client's consent. The term "professional" is inserted to maintain consistency in terminology throughout the legislation.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.16281
As Passed by the House: 333.16281